What Are the Gifts of the Spirit — In Biblical Context

The Biblical Context

The gifts of the Spirit are divine endowments bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon members of the church so that the whole body may be edified and God may be glorified. The apostle Paul provides the most extensive treatment of these gifts in his first letter to the Corinthians, writing in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6: 'Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.' The Spirit distributes these gifts according to His own sovereign will, not according to human merit or desire. Among the gifts listed are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. Beyond these sign gifts, Paul in Romans 12:6-8 describes gifts of prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and showing mercy. In Ephesians 4:11, Christ is said to give apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers '...for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.' It is crucial to understand that gifts are not given for personal prestige but for corporate blessing. As Paul solemnly reminds the church, the exercise of any gift without love is spiritually worthless. The proper stewardship of spiritual gifts reflects the diversity and unity that characterize the triune God Himself, whose one Spirit animates the many-membered body of His Son.

Where It Sits in Scripture

Supporting Passages