God Himself ordained a certain order or rank among the gifts. For example, “And God has appointed in the church, first [1] apostles, second [2] prophets, third [3] teachers, then...” (1 Cor 12:28).

Note: These first three gifts: apostles, prophets, & teachers (‘teachers’ includes Evangelists & Pastors) are the greater gifts. These are the greater gifts because they cause the spiritual growth of the church specifically by speaking [i.e. teaching] the word of God to it (Eph 4:11, 15, 16). There is a detailed explaination of this in the point: Only Some Members Can Have or Receive the Greater Gifts, Not All Members. Yet, Paul told members who were interested in spiritual gifts to “earnestly desire the greater gifts” (1 Cor 12:31). So we see that there are greater gifts and that they should be diligently sought after. So we see that there are greater gifts.

(1) “Apostles” are “first”; they are greater than prophets and teachers. No gift is greater than apostle.

(2) “Prophets” are “second”; they are greater than all teachers and all the rest of the gifts, but not greater than the apostles.

(3) “Teachers” [which includes Evangelists & Pastors] are “third” and last among the greater gifts, yet they are greater than all the rest of the gifts, but not greater than apostles or prophets.

Even among the lesser gifts there is a God-ordained order or rank. For example, in the very same verse in which God orders or ranks the greater gifts, we also see that He ranked several of the lesser gifts after the greater gifts. “And God has appointed in the church... third teachers, then [4]miracles, then gifts of [5] healings, [6] helps, [7] administrations, [8] various kinds of tongues” (1 Cor 12:28).

(4) “Miracles” are fourth; they are greater than healings, helps, administrations, and tongues, but not higher than the greater gifts.

(5) “Healings” are fifth; they are greater than helps, administrations, and tongues, but not greater than miracles or the greater gifts.

(6) “Helps” are sixth; they are greater than administrations and tongues, but not greater than miracles, healings, or the greater gifts.

(7) “Administrations” is seventh; they are greater than tongues, but not greater than miracles, healings, helps, or the greater gifts.

(8) “Tongues” is last among the lesser gifts and therefore, obviously not a greater gift.

To further illustrate this point about rank within the lesser gifts, consider what James said about the poor Christian vs. the rich Christian [both are in a sense a type of lesser gift, and even a type of situational gift]. “But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position [i.e. height, high rank or station]; and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation [i.e. lowness, low estate], because like flowering grass he will pass away” (James 1:9, 10). This gives more purpose and meaning to the idea of the poor being rich in faith. “Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (James 2:5) -- But not all poor have the gift of faith.

Paul taught that when Christians find themselves in certain situations, but not sinful situations, it is a type of gift or calling. For example, in answer to those who were apparently asking questions about being married or single, Paul said, “I wish that all men were even as I myself am [i.e. single]. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that” (1 Cor 7:7). Here Paul conceded that being married is a “gift from God” just like being unmarried is a “gift from God”, a gift that he himself had received.

A few verses later, Paul continues to emphasize this concept of situational type gifts and gives more examples of them. “Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called” (1 Cor 7:17-24).

In what “condition” were you called? In what unsinful situation were you saved? Were you married or single, free or slave, Jew or Gentile? Evidently, there are other situational type gifts, such as parent or child, man or woman, soldier or civilian, etc. There is some order or rank to the situational gifts. For example, a parent is over his child, a husband is over his wife (Eph 5:22), a master is over his slave, a man is over a woman (1 Cor 11:1-3), an officer is over his soldier, etc. Evidently, all situational gifts are lesser gifts and there are three categories of them: Gender [m/f], Familial [single, married, etc.], and Societal [Jobs, etc.].