A. This word is found only here in the New Testament. He is speaking of members of the body set in the assembly. Those thus designated would be gifted to guide and direct the assembly, as a pilot does his ship in her dangers and difficulties. It might be by the word of wisdom, in the application of divine intelligence to those things through which she had to pass; or the word of knowledge, etc., as in
v. 8. The thought is guidance rather than rule. The latter would be by office-bearers, that is, elders. Here the thought is gifts, or spiritual manifestations in the body of Christ.