What Are Spiritual Gifts?
What Are Spiritual Gifts? Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for serving the church and glorifying God.
Key verse: 1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)
Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for serving the church and glorifying God.
Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for serving the church and glorifying God.
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." — 1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities distributed by the Holy Spirit to every believer for the common good of the church. Three main passages list these gifts: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and Ephesians 4:11. They include prophecy, teaching, serving, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, discernment, tongues, and interpretation. Ephesians 4:11 adds apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Several key principles govern spiritual gifts: Every believer has at least one (1 Peter 4:10). They are given by the Spirit as He wills, not earned or chosen (1 Corinthians 12:11). They are for building up the body, not personal glory (1 Corinthians 12:7). Love must govern their use — 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) is sandwiched between two chapters on spiritual gifts for a reason. No gift makes one believer superior to another (1 Corinthians 12:14-27). Christians debate whether certain gifts (like tongues and healing) continue today or ceased with the apostolic era, but all agree that the Spirit empowers believers for service.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About The Holy Spirit?
What the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit, His work, and His role in the believer's life.
Key Scripture References
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity — fully God, who indwells, guides, and empowers believers.
What is speaking in tongues?
Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift where believers speak in languages they haven't learned, either human languages or a heavenly prayer language, as empowered by the Holy Spirit.
What Is the Purpose of the Church?
The church exists to worship God, build up believers through teaching and fellowship, and reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What Is the Meaning of Baptism?
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith — a public declaration of identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
How Should We Pray According to the Bible?
The Bible teaches that prayer is direct communication with God — honest, reverent, and grounded in faith.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside 1 Corinthians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read 1 Corinthians on day 324 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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