The Gifts of the Spirit: 1 Corinthians 12.1-11

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to all Christians. They are given by the Spirit for the building of His Kingdom and for our edification. This passage, 1 Corinthians 12.1-11, should not be viewed outside the context of Paul's larger teaching on spiritual gifts which includes all of 1 Corinthians 12-14. In chapter 12 we are given an introduction and overview of the gifts of the Spirit. Chapter 13 gives us the context of the use of the gifts. All spiritual gifts are to be exercised with love, for love is the greatest gift of all. 1 Corinthians 14 is a dissertation on specific issues relating to speaking in tongues and prophecy.

The gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 do not constitute a comprehensive list of spiritual gifts. There are also gifts passages in Romans 12.3-8, Ephesians 4.11-16 and 1 Peter 4.7-11. When taken together these passages give a great picture of the potential of the fullness of God's work in our lives.

1. The Holy Spirit produces diversity in our unity (v. 4). Although there is only one God, and we are one body of Christ, each of us is different. God made us that way. God the Holy Spirit also gives us different gifts. He is creating diversity in our lives and in the church. Unity is important. Diversity is important. When viewed correctly, they complement one another beautifully.
2. The Holy Spirit works to benefit all Christians (v. 7). The gifts of the Spirit are not given to exalt individuals. This is one of the great sins of the modern world, and unfortunately, the modern church. All the gifts, as well as the users of the gifts, are subject to God. The gifts, all of them, are to exalt Christ.
3. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given at God’s discretion (v. 11). Although there is precedent that would allow us to seek the gifts, even specific ones (1 Corinthians 14.13), we must always be reminded that God is sovereign and gives the gifts in the way he wills.

The Gifts-

• The word of wisdom is a revelation of God that provides wise counsel for you or for others in a way that appears to be divine or miraculous.
• The word of knowledge is a miraculous revelation of information that comes directly from God.
• Faith is given to each Christian at that time that they accept Christ. Some believers are given a greater measure of faith that allows them to live at greater levels of faithfulness to God.
• Healings are interventions of the Lord into the physical, mental, emotional and relational lives of those who follow him.
• Miracles are evidences of God working in unusual ways outside the boundaries of the laws of nature.
• Prophecy is speaking on behalf of God while either predicting some future events or proclaiming the truth of God to current situations.
• Discerning of spirits is the special ability that God gives a believer so that he/she is able to tell is an event, word, person or teaching is really from God.
• Speaking in tongues is when the believer allows God to use his/her mouth for the purpose of praise, prayer or proclamation. There are at least four types of 'tongues' mentioned in the New Testament.
• The interpretation of tongues is the miraculous ability of an individual to translate a message that has been spoken in tongues.