What Are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit — In Biblical Context
The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to believers for building up the church — including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, tongues, and more.
The Holy Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to believers for building up the church — including wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, tongues, and more.
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal... dividing to every man severally as he will." — 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The New Testament lists spiritual gifts in several passages. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 names wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Romans 12:6-8 adds prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy. Ephesians 4:11 lists apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. 1 Peter 4:10-11 groups gifts into speaking and serving categories. These gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit 'as he will' (1 Corinthians 12:11) — not earned or chosen but given by grace. Their purpose is 'the edifying of the body of Christ' (Ephesians 4:12) — building up the church, not personal prominence. Paul emphasizes that love is greater than any gift (1 Corinthians 13) and that gifts without love are meaningless.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 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... dividing to every man severally as he will."
Supporting Passages
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us."
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
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