Why are the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 not mentioned again in Ephesians?

Les explains that the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 are not mentioned again in Ephesians for the same reason a person does not return to a third- or fourth-grade arithmetic book when studying higher mathematics. The earlier gifts are left in the background, and the believer moves on to the greater gifts that Paul brings out in Ephesians and his other present epistles. This does not mean Paul knew nothing of the Body of Christ earlier, because he introduces it in 1 Corinthians 12. Les points out that the Body of Christ as a doctrine reaches its fullest forte in the present epistles. He also notes that the early believers did not turn the Roman Empire upside down through great evangelistic campaigns or coliseums, but by every believer being taught from the Word and living as a testimony. That same criteria applies today. The shift from the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12 to the greater gifts of Ephesians reflects this movement from foundational things to higher things.