Homilies on First Corinthians

“Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”

For even as the great gifts God has not vouchsafed all to all men, but to some this, and to others that, so also did He in respect of the less, not proposing these either to all. And this He did, procuring thereby abundant harmony and love, that each one standing in need of the other might be brought close to his brother. This economy He established also in the arts, this also in the elements, this also in the plants, and in our members, and absolutely in all things.

5. Then he subjoins further the most powerful consolation, and sufficient to recover them and quiet their vexed souls. And what is this?