Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 Corinthians 12:29

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

When the greater and lesser gifts had been enumerated in order, it was natural for them to be grieved. Therefore he again comforts those who had the lesser gifts. Why, he says, are you sorrowful that you do not have, perhaps, the gift of prophecy? Consider that you have what the prophet does not, and what one has, the other does not. For you it is fitting and far more profitable that the gifts be distributed in this way, so that each person would have need of his neighbor.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, Are all apostles? he clarifies the distinction among these ministries, saying, Are all in the Church apostles? As if to say: No! Are all teachers? This shows the variety of these ministries: "In the fullness of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them" (Sir 33:11).

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗