In 1 Corinthians 12:29, Paul
rhetorically asks, “Are
all apostles? Are all prophets?
Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?” The
implied answer is “no.” Not everyone in the first-century church was expected
to be a teacher, any more than everyone was an apostle, a prophet, or a miracle
worker. But in Hebrews 5:12 we read, “For though by this time you ought to be
teachers …” Why do these two passages seem to be saying conflicting things?
The texts in question are addressed to two different audiences in separate places and times, dealing with two very different issues. In 1 Corinthians
12 Paul is confronting the problem of jealousy and discord due to the misuse of
miraculous gifts; each member should be contributing his/her part for the
benefit of the whole body. In this context, “teachers” fulfil a special role in
the church (cf. James 3:1).
In
Hebrews 5 the problem is lack of spiritual growth and maturity. There comes a
time when all Christians ought to be “teachers” in some sense, whether by: (a)
example (Matt. 5:13-16; Rom. 16:19; 1 Tim. 3:7; 4:12, 15; 5:25; 1 Pet.
2:11-12); (b) open confession of one’s faith (Matt. 10:32; Heb. 4:14; 10:23);
(c) defense of the faith (1 Pet. 3:15; Jude 3); (d) fulfilling one’s “ministry
of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:17-21; cf. Matt. 28:18-20); and/or (e) developing
and utilizing God-given teaching talents (Rom. 12:7; Eph. 4:11). It is this
latter (more specific) sense that is considered in 1 Corinthians 12, whereas in
Hebrews 5 the broader sense is in view.
--Kevin
L. Moore
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