What are spiritual gifts, and what types of gifts are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12? This is a question that many people have. In this post, we will start with an introductory look at the gifts of the Spirit. In further posts, a more detailed examination of each gift will occur.
What Are Spiritual Gifts - An Introduction To Spiritual Gifts
The Bible teaches that there is a rich diversity of gifts, yet all come from the same Spirit. These gifts are given to believers for the benefit (edifying) of the Church and the glory of God. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul emphasizes that the Holy Spirit bestows these gifts as He wills, enabling each believer to play a unique and essential role in the Body of Christ. The spiritual gifts range from wisdom and knowledge to healing, prophecy, and miracles. While spiritual gifts may vary, their purpose remains to manifest God's presence, strengthen the Church, and reveal His power to believers and unbelievers. By desiring and operating in these gifts, Christians fulfill their calling to glorify God and advance His kingdom on earth.
Let's read the passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
How Are Spiritual Gifts Distributed?
Notice something from this passage. Paul is writing to the Corinthian Church, which he calls brethren, and addresses the whole Church when he says in verse 7, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all." From this, we can see that the gifts of the Spirit are open to all believers as Paul says, "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one." This is the ideal. This may not happen because of a lack of teaching, maturity, and many other things. But ideally, each believer has the opportunity to exercise spiritual gifts, which should be a source of empowerment and encouragement.
Paul speaks to this further later in this chapter when he says in 1 Corinthians 12:31 - "But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way." So, we as Christians should want to function in these gifts that God has provided to us through the Holy Spirit. He repeats something similar in 1 Corinthians 14:1 - "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy."
So, first, spiritual gifts are distributed to members of the Body of Christ. They are not limited to the ministry, i.e., pastors, evangelists, etc. They are available to each Christian, and it should be our desire to see a gift at work through us.
Something else to notice is that while we can and should desire spiritual gifts, Verse 11 says that "one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." The Holy Spirit is the one who decides the gift any believer receives. We can desire and ask for any gift, but the Holy Spirit distributes the gifts as He wants. Many want the "power" gifts, such as healing, but remember that every gift is from the Holy Spirit, and every gift is essential and needed in the body of Christ. So, the Holy Spirit distributes gifts to each believer as He determines. Finally, this distribution is not based on personal merit but on what God chooses is needed in the Church or situation.
What Are The Spiritual Gifts
Before going further, let's briefly look at the nine spiritual gifts spoken of by Paul in this passage.
1 Corinthians 12:8-10 - "for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues."
These verses speak of nine gifts of the Spirit. Further to this, we can be divided into three groups of three:
Revelation Gifts: word of wisdom; word of knowledge; discerning of spirits
Power Gifts: faith; gifts of healings; workings of miracles
Vocal Gifts: tongues; interpretation; prophecy
Each of these gifts will be looked at individually throughout several posts.
In the next post, we will look at the purpose of spiritual gifts.
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