1 Cor 12:26-31
The New Testament > 1 Corinthians > Chapter 12
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Questions
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Lexical notes
Verse 31
"Covet" should more accurately be rendered "desire earnestly" since "covet" usually has a negative connotation not present in the original Greek.
Exegesis
It is a peculiarity of the church in our dispensation, as well as in the Old Testament, that the President or Head of the church is called "the prophet." In reality, all of the Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency are ordained as "prophets, seers, and revelators." The official priesthood position of the President of the LDS church is that of Senior Apostle. "Prophet" is not an official office in the Melchezedich Priesthood. However "Apostle" is the highest office within the priesthood, which reflects Paul's statement that "God set...first apostles."
It is however interesting that Paul groups priesthood callings such as "apostles" and "teachers" with gifts of "healing" and "tongues." This is not how the modern LDS church would rank these. Perhaps Paul's grouping, if not a mistranslation, is simply an informal listing of various priesthood callings and gifts, mixed together for the purpose of noting their diversity, rather than their strict order.
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