Cheryl Schatz

SM,
I deleted a comment of yours that was a duplicate. Looks like a typo in your name caused your comments to go into moderation. Looks like all is fixed now.

The idea that “prophecy is a higher gift” comes from 1 Cor. 14 and Ephesians 4. The first is 1 Cor. 14:5 where the one who prophesies is said to be “greater” than the one who speaks in tongues. The reason that Paul says this should be obvious from the entire chapter. Paul’s focus is on edification of the church. The one who speaks in tongues will edify himself, but no one else will be edified unless there is an interpretor. Paul isn’t meaning to pit one gift against another because he uses the qualification of “unless”

1 Cor 14:5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

Paul then lists ways that Christians can use their public gifts for the edification of the church.

1 Cor 14:6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?

Since prophecy is listed before teaching in verse 6 and Paul tells the church that they should all desire to prophesy, the church has considered it a higher gift.

Also Ephesians 4:11 lists prophets before teachers.

There has always been a temptation to compare one’s gifts to another to see whose gift is more important. Even the apostles had been arguing who would be the greatest in the kingdom. But I believe that Jesus made it clear that if we are looking for importance in the kingdom we are to be a servant to all. Those who desire to give up their own glory by working hard to serve the church and grow the church without prejudice by allowing each part of the body to function freely with the gifts that God has given, will be the greatest.

Does this help?