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    In Context

    What Are Spiritual Gifts — In Biblical Context

    Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for serving the church and glorifying God.

    Quick Answer

    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)

    The Biblical Context

    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.

    Where It Sits in Scripture

    The core passage for this question, 1 Corinthians 12:7, sits inside 1 Corinthians 12. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.

    "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."
    — 1 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)

    Supporting Passages

    1 Peter 4:10
    "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
    Romans 12:6
    "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith."

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