The Varieties of Spiritual Gifts
12: 8-11
The varieties of spiritual gifts DIG: The Ruach Ha’Kodesh distributes spiritual gifts to all believers. Why then is there such a variety of gifts? What is the ultimate purpose of spiritual gifts from God? Although there are different gifts, there is only one God. Why is that important for us to remember (Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:1-13). What is your responsibility in regard to your spiritual gift? If all believers receive at least one spiritual gift, why do you think there are some who feel they have nothing to offer? How can you help other believers to identify their gift?
REFLECT: What prevents believers from using their spiritual gifts? What explanations or excuses have you heard people use about not using their gifts? In what ways can believers help one another identify their spiritual gifts? What is the one thing you could do this week to share your thoughts? What is wrong with saying that some gifts are superior to others? How can you use your gifts in a way that draws attention away from yourself and gives glory to God? How can you be challenged to serve where you worship?
After addressing the believers’ responsibilities when it comes to their freedom in Messiah, Paul turns to another problem in the Corinthian church. The believers’ public worship practices had become distorted, chaotic, and dishonoring to God. The church was so splintered, in fact, that it could function as a Body in worship. Their attitudes in the way members dressed – and especially the way they celebrated the Lord’s Supper – betrayed deep dysfunctions. In addition, their use of spiritual gifts, which should be a point of strength in the church, had become a point of weakness, confusion, and competition. Paul would now seek to step back and show his readers the big picture of God’s gifts.361 Paul mentions nine spiritual gifts here in First Corinthians. Other lists of spiritual gifts can be found in First Corinthians 12:28-30, Romans 12:6-8 (see the commentary on Romans, to see link click Dc – Responding to the Mercies of ADONAI), Ephesians 4:8-12, and First Peter 4:11. While this list here isn’t exhaustive, it is interesting to look with a little more depth at some of the gifts that Paul mentioned.
1. To one, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom (to see link click Ck);
2. To another, a word of knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit (see Cl);
3. To another, faith, by the same Spirit (see Cm);
4. And to another, gifts of healing, by the one Spirit (see Cn);
5. To another, the working of miracles (see Co);
6. To another, prophecy (see Cp);
7. To another, the ability to discern between spirits (see Cq);
8. To another, the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues (see Dm – Tongues are a Sign);
9. And to yet another, the ability to interpret tongues (see Dp – Order in Public Worship).
One and the same Spirit is at work in all these things, distributing to each person as he chooses (12:11). This verse summarizes verses 4-10. Just as he did when illustrating the differences in the nature, ministries, and effects of spiritual gifts, Paul continues to stress that each gift, though different in many ways from the others, is supernaturally and sovereignly given by one and the same Spirit. In fact, this is the fifth reference to the Ruach as the giver. He also emphasizes again that every believer (distributing to each person) is spiritually gifted. Those with gifts are not the spiritual elite, but make up the whole church, the entire Body of Messiah. All of us are gifted, and all of us are called by the Lord to minister the gifts He has supplied.362
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