What Are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
What Are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit distributes supernatural abilities to believers — including wisdom, healing, prophecy, and teaching — for building up the body of Christ.
Key verse: 1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV)
The Holy Spirit distributes supernatural abilities to believers — including wisdom, healing, prophecy, and teaching — for building up the body of Christ.
The Holy Spirit distributes supernatural abilities to believers — including wisdom, healing, prophecy, and teaching — for building up the body of Christ.
"But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." — 1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Several New Testament passages list spiritual gifts. First Corinthians 12:8-10 includes the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Romans 12:6-8 adds prophecy, ministry (service), teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling (leadership), and showing mercy. Ephesians 4:11 lists apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. First Peter 4:10-11 summarizes them as speaking gifts and serving gifts. Paul emphasizes that 'all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will' (1 Corinthians 12:11). No believer has all gifts, and no gift is given to all — this creates interdependence within the body (12:14-27). The purpose is always edification, not self-exaltation. Love must govern all gift usage: 'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass' (1 Corinthians 13:1).
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 all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
"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."
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 Does the Bible Say About Speaking in Tongues?
Speaking in tongues was a gift of the Holy Spirit enabling believers to speak in known languages they had not learned, primarily for evangelism and edification.
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.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
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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