Verse 5. Of administrations. Marg., Ministries. The word properly denotes ministries; so that there are different ranks and grades in the ministries which Christ has appointed, to wit, those specified in 1 Co 12:9,10,28.

But the same Lord. This refers evidently to the Lord Jesus, by whom these various orders of ministers were appointed, and under whose control they are. See Barnes "Ac 1:24".

Comp. Eph 4:5. The term Lord, when it stands by itself in the New Testament, usually refers to the Lord Jesus, the name by which he was commonly known by the disciples. See Joh 20:25. The fact also that this stands between the mention of the work of the Spirit (1 Co 4:4) and the work of God, (1 Co 12:6,) and the fact that to the Lord Jesus appertained the appointment of these various grades of officers in the church, (comp. Mt 10:1; Lu 10:1, seq. is further proof that this refers to him. The design of the verse is to show that all these offices had their appointment from him; and that since all were his appointment, and all were necessary, no one should be proud of an elevated station; no one should be depressed, or feel himself degraded, because he had been designated to a more humble office.

{1} "administrations" "ministries"