Cornerstone:

Here is the list of spiritual gifts as discussed over the past few weeks. Please remember that there is debate about the existence of certain gifts. Theologically, this is an in-house issue, therefore, let’s keep a humble attitude focused on displaying Christ regardless of our views of the gifts. And let’s be diligent to discover and develop our gifts so that Christ is displayed.

A few words about the gifts before we get into them

1st – No list in the NT (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11, 28; Eph 4:11; 1 Pet 4:11) is exhaustive.

2nd – These are not natural abilities, but those empowered by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Natural abilities, however, could be used by God as gifts. For example, someone who plays music well could have the gift of serving.

3rd – Because they are gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are hindered by sin in your life. Sin is like mud on the floodlights of the Holy Spirit who would otherwise shine Christ through you.

4th – They may take time to refine. As you grow in Christlikeness and knowledge of and love for God’s word – so will your ability to use these gifts.

5th – Most Christians probably do not have only one gift, but a mixture.

6th – These can be used by the person as they wish. They are not spontaneous abilities that just come about, but used at will.

7th – As we studied in 1 Corinthians 12, the main purposes of the gifts are: 1) To display Jesus Christ (12:1-3) 2) To benefit others in the body of Christ (12:7).

This list was compiled with the help of the following resources:

“Showing the Spirit,” by D.A. Carson
“The First Epistle to the Corinthians,” by Gordon Fee
“1 Corinthians,” by John MacArthur
“Spiritual Gifts: Definitions and Kinds,” by James F. Stitzinger from The Master’s Seminary Journal (Fall 2003)
“Christian Theology” by Millard J. Erickson

“Word of knowledge” (1 Cor 12:8)– Ability to accurately understand God’s word, which cannot be rightly grasped apart from the Holy Spirit. This could be used in situations where people are sharing struggles or asking questions and verses just start flooding your mind. Anyone from moms to pastors to nursery workers can have this, as this gift is used to impart the knowledge of God and his word to others in many ways.

“Faith” (1 Cor 12:9) – Probably not saving faith, but an extra ability to totally rely on God, especially in trying circumstances; a stable confidence in the person and work of Jesus Christ despite unstable circumstances; a supernatural conviction that God will reveal his power or mercy in a special way in a specific instance. Contrary to some teaching, this is not the ability to believe God such that you don’t get sick, poor, or go through trials. It’s the opposite: to be in those situations but to have a firm peace rooted in the sovereignty of God and Person of Christ.

“gifts of healings” (1 Cor 12:9) – the ability to totally heal various physical and spiritual sufferings. During the first century when Christianity was thought to be a bizarre sect of Judaism, God gave this as a gospel-authenticating-gift; a gift to authenticate the validity of the gospel message to the world as God was doing incredible things in building the fledgling Church.

“effecting of miracles” (1 Cor 12:10) – literally “works of power;” the ability to work completely contrary to God’s natural laws. Like “gifts of healings,” the willful ability to perform miracles seems to be a gospel-authenticating-gift during the days of the early Church.

“prophecy” (Rom 12:6, 1 Cor 12:10) – the word means to “speak forth, or to proclaim.” Such is the gift: the Spirit-empowered ability to speak and communicate the word of God such that Jesus is displayed and people are transformed. Not just dispensing information, but doing so such that there is power and persuasion. It does not exclusively mean to foretell the future, though prior to the formation of the canon, it could mean that.

“distinguishing spirits” (1 Cor 12:10) – The word “distinguish” has the idea of “ability to separate truth and non-truth.” This gift likely is the Spirit-empowered ability to recognize biblical truth from a lack thereof in a variety of situations. It is not to be used for blanket criticism, but to distinguish truth from error so that people are drawn towards the truth of God’s word and, therefore, built-up in Christ.

“tongues and interpretation of tongues”(1 Cor 12:10, 27) –The Greek word means “languages.” The gift seems to be the miraculous ability to speak an unlearned language that is known by others for the purpose of exalting Christ. Interpretation corresponds, therefore: interpreting unlearned languages so that truth is ascertained and others are built-up in him. Much more could be said about this gift, of course. It should be noted that on the day of Pentecost, when those in the upper room went out, likely into Temple Square, they spoke in known languages such that the truths of the gospel were understood by various foreigners present (cf. Acts 2:4-11). This would have likely been equivalent to a massive “street evangelism” scene in which many heard the gospel and repented (Acts 2:37-41). As miracles and healing, this appears to be a gospel-authenticating-gift for the early Church days.

“helps” and gifts of assistance (Rom 12:7, 1 Cor 12:28) – The Greek word in 1 Corinthians 12:28 has the idea of “taking the burden off someone and placing it on yourself.” We all get to serve one-another, but those with this gift have extraordinary abilities and joy in relieving burdens of any kind, which God uses powerfully. It’s that self-denial and humility, imitating the One who came to serve by giving his life a ransom for many, such that he is displayed.

“administrations” (Rom 12:8, 1 Cor 12:28) – In 1 Corinthians 12:28, the word has the idea of “steering or piloting a ship.” The Greek word is also used to “give guidance and direction.” This gift is the idea of guiding people according to the Scriptures to maximize their effectiveness and God’s glory. This could be used in all sorts of scenarios, for example, you may be gifted in seeing needs and helping plug in people to those needs such that the body works well; or seeing what God calls us to do in his word, then rallying his people to follow him; and so on. It could also be thought of as the ability to understand God’s will and empower and motivate people to follow him in various ways.

“exhortation” (Romans 12:8) – The word literally means “to call alongside,” and is used in the NT to convey the idea of “encouragement,” “exhortation,” “appeal,” “request,” “admonish,” “comfort,” and “consolation.” This gift is used specifically to speak the word of God into people’s lives, whether in a group setting or one-on-one, such that others are edified according to the aforementioned list (i.e. encouraged, exhorted, comforted, etc.).

“giving” (Romans 12:8) – The word has the idea of “giving a part of” and “sharing.” This gift includes all forms of giving of oneself sacrificially such that others are benefited and Christ is glorified. This may include abundant financial giving in a sacrificial manner, giving of other resources, or the giving of oneself to those in need.

“showing mercy” (Romans 12:8) – The word has the idea of “mercy, compassion, pity.” This gift, which should be characteristic of all Christians, includes a compassion on those weighed down or suffering that is moved into action such that the burden is shared and/or removed in some way.

“teaching” (Romans 12:7, 1 Pet 4:11, and also “teachers” in Eph 4:11) – This gift is the Spirit-empowered ability to teach God’s word in a variety of settings such that people comprehend biblical truth and are edified. The gift is also included in the elder qualification list (1 Tim 3:2).

It should also be noted that two gifts are mentioned in 1 Peter 4:11 (“speaking” and “service”). These broad categories could be inclusive of other gifts. For example, speaking could include teaching, exhortation, and prophecy, while serving could include giving, showing mercy, and helps.

One last comment regarding the “miraculous” gifts: it does not seem that believers do not have the willful ability as a gift to perform those gifts (miracles, healing, languages). However, this does not mean God does not miraculous heal and do miraculous things. At the same time, it may not be best to speak of gifts in categories of miraculous and non-miraculous. It is nothing short of a miracle when someone calls you up and says, “Hey there, can I fix those damages in your house?” Or, “Can I come over and clean your place every week before small group?”

In all, God uses these gifts in us to put Christ in lights and bring his beneficial grace to others. Let’s make sure we are putting ourselves out there to be used by him.