The Gifts of the Spirit

I. Why Study Spiritual Gifts?

The Bible Wants You to Understand Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1–2 NASB95

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.

v. 1 — Gk. pneumatika — spiritual matters — stressing the spiritual nature or source of a particular ability or gift.

“Now concerning spiritual matters, which come from God brethren, I do not want you to be unaware (ignorant).”

The Bible Wants You to Know That God Supplies the Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:3–6 NASB95

3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

v. 3 — “The point is not that one cannot say “Jesus is Lord” without the Holy Spirit, but that one cannot confess Jesus as Lord without the prompting of the Holy Spirit in the human heart.”

Ben Witherington III, Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Social-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 & 2 Corinthians, p. 257

Thus, concerning spiritual gifts, only those who have a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ can receive them.

v. 4 — Gk. charismata — grace gift — stresses the nature of the gift, namely that it is unmerited.

“Do not be ignorant of the spiritual things which God supplies, but do not become arrogant as to how you received them.”

The Bible Wants You to Know Spiritual Gifts: Their Purposes, Uses, & Effects

1 Peter 4:10–11 NASB95

10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

There are several significant points in this paragraph:

Every Christian receives a gift

The gift a Christian receives is singular

Some are speaking gifts — prophecy, teaching, and exhortation, which might be considered more “public” gifts.

Some are serving gifts — serving, giving, administration, and mercy, which might be considered more “private” gifts.

All gifts are given by God

All gifts are to be used for the benefit of others

All gifts are to be used to glorify God

All gifts are to be stewarded well

Why is it only one gift? I thought you could have multiple gifts?

Three Classifications of “Gifts” in Scripture

1. Motivational Gifts (Romans 12:3-21)

2. Ministry Gifts (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31)

3. Manifestation Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

When we exercise our motivation, through our ministry, the Holy Spirit determines what manifestations will benefit the receiver the most.

II. Motivational Gifts (Romans 12:3-8)

Motivational Gift — the basic inward drive which God places in each Christian to express His love. Your motivational gift is why you do what you do.

A Singular Spiritual Gift to Every Christian

Romans 12:3–6 NASB95

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly …

The spiritual gift given to every Christian is given in accordance to the measure of faith God has allotted to them.

How many faiths do you have?

There is one faith

Ephesians 4:4–5 NASB95

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Every Christian has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the measure of faith God has given to you, He also gives you a singular spiritual gift at the moment of your salvation.

What are the gifts?

Motivational Gifts (7)

Romans 12:6–8 NASB95

6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Prophecy — a person with the gift of prophecy proclaims the truth of God’s Word so that sin is exposed and relationships are restored

Service — a person with the gift of serving is driven to demonstrate love by meeting practical needs

Teaching — a person with the gift of teaching is passionate about discovering and validating truth

Exhortation — a person with the gift of exhortation wants to see believers grow in spiritual maturity

Giving — a person with the gift of giving wants to use financial resources wisely in order to give to meet the needs of others

Administration — a person with the gift of administration is able to accomplish tasks and solve problems through analysis and delegation

Mercy — a person with the gift of mercy is sensitive to the emotional and spiritual needs of others

7 gifts representing the completeness of God’s power at work in the lives of His church.

The Structure of Romans 12 indicates this is a complete list, not a partial list.

Prophecy Qualifier — Romans 12:9

Serving Qualifier — Romans 12:10

Teaching Qualifier — Romans 12:11

Exhortation Qualifier — Romans 12:12

Giving Qualifier — Romans 12:13

Administration Qualifier— Romans 12:14

Mercy Qualifier — Romans 12:15

Instructions to all — Romans 12:16-21

Even if verses 9-15 directly qualify each individual gift, every Christian is called to strive for the principles and practices laid out in this chapter:

Declaring Truth (Prophecy)

1 Corinthians 14:1 NASB95

1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Serving

Galatians 5:13 NASB95

13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Teaching

Colossians 3:16 NASB95

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Exhorting

Hebrews 10:25 NASB95

25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Giving

Matthew 10:8 NASB95

8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Administration

Proverbs 16:32 NASB95

32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

Mercy

Luke 10:36–37 NASB95

36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

III. Ministry Gifts (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31)

Ministry Gifts — the opportunities of Christian service which God gives us to exercise our basic motivation. Ministry gifts (which can vary in amount and change depending on the situation) are how you exercise your motivation.

Varieties of Ministries Given to Christ’s Church

Ephesians 4:11–12 NASB95

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

1 Corinthians 12:27–31 NASB95

27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.

Ministry Gifts (8 or 9?)

Apostles — one sent forth

Prophets — proclaimers of truth

Pastor-Teachers — clarifiers of truth

The list in Ephesians 4, usually referred to as the “five-fold ministry”, uses a specific word (Gk. poimen) translated as “pastor”, used only 17 times in the NT and in all other instances translated as “shepherd”.

The list in 1 Corinthians 12 does not mention pastors, only teachers (Gk. didaskalos). Since the position shepherding is often accompanied by teaching, and vice-versa, it is possible they are grouped together here. *However, the same could be said for all the offices (i.e., apostle, prophet, evangelist, etc.)*

It is possible the list in 1 Corinthians 12 is not exhaustive. The point is not to limit the gifts of ministry, but to show that the Holy Spirit is actively working in the church through individuals of the Body “for the equipping of the saints”. *If the list is not exhaustive, one should not seek to expand beyond what Scripture has outlined (i.e., beyond 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 and Ephesians 4:11-12).

The answer, however, is likely found outside these texts. In 1 Timothy 3:2, Paul specifically states overseers (pastors) must be “able to teach”. The question then becomes, “Must an overseer have the ability or the possibility to teach?” In Titus 1:9, Paul answers this stating, “[H]olding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he [the overseer] will be able to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” (emphasis added)

Therefore, while all pastors must be teachers, not all teachers are pastors, explaining the need for two separate terms in Ephesians 4:11 and the absence of “pastor” in 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Miracles — deeds with precise timing to bring glory to God

Healings — physical, mental, and spiritual healing

Helps — assisting the weak or needy

Administrations — guides in local church affairs

Diversities of Tongues — speaking in other languages

IV. Manifestation Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

Manifestation Gifts — how the Holy Spirit chooses to indicate the existence, reality, presence, and love of Jesus Christ. Manifestation gifts (which can vary in amount and change depending on the situation) are the result of exercising our motivation in a given area of ministry.

Varieties of Results/Effects Apportioned by the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:6–11 NASB95

6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Manifestation Gifts (9)

Word of Wisdom — Inspiration given by the Holy Spirit that enables one to understand and bring clarity to a situation

Word of Knowledge — A revelation from the Holy Spirit that enables one to bring truth to a given situation

Faith — Faith given by the Holy Spirit, either to strengthen the believer or to call the unbeliever to Christ

Healing — A healing work of the Holy Spirit: physically, mentally, or spiritually

Effective Miracles — An intervention of the Holy Spirit in the ordinary course of nature

Prophecy — Proclaiming the truth of God under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

Distinguishing of Spirits — A discerning ability given by the Holy Spirit to see the spiritual forces (good/evil) at work in a person or situation

Various Tongues — An ability given by the Holy Spirit to speak a language unknown to the speaker and hearer (most likely a “heavenly language” — 1 Cor. 14:2)

Interpretation of Tongues — An ability given by the Holy Spirit for a hearer to interpret unknown languages (most likely a “heavenly language”) into understandable languages

V. Discovering Your Motivational Gift

Hindrances to Discovering Your Gift

Unresolved root problems in personal living

It is significant that the gifts of Romans 12 are not mentioned until the moral issues of Romans 1-11 are dealt with.

Lack of involvement with the needs of others

Our gifts are stirred up and discovered as we focus on the needs of others rather than what our ministry is to be.

A servant’s heart is essential to discovering our spiritual gift, because it was given not for us, but for the benefit of the whole.

Attempts to imitate motivations of others

If a Christian is caught up in trying to imitate the ministry of other Christians, he will not be free to discover his own motivation.

Failure to analyze why certain activities appeal to us

Many activities will be the means of fulfilling our basic motivation.

Confusion between motivational and ministry gifts

For example, a person with the motivation of teaching may have a ministry of prophecy which he thoroughly enjoys.

Methods for Discovering Your Gift

Ask God to reveal your spiritual gift to you

God does not want you to be ignorant of spiritual gifts, meaning He wants you to know and understand them so that He may better use you.

Study the Bible

The more you study spiritual gifts, the more you will understand their purpose and see the evidence of your motivation at work in your area of ministry.

Be involved with a local church

Gifts are given for the profit, benefit, and building up of the Body of Christ. Only through serving others, can we begin to see how God desires to use us.

Ask other people

Ask Christians you trust (i.e., parents, pastor, friends, etc.) what characteristics they see in you. The problem with many spiritual gifts “assessments” is that we often see ourselves very differently than others see us. And no one knows you like the Holy Spirit does.

Consider why certain activities appeal to you

VI. Using Spiritual Gifts

The Seven Motivational Gifts in Action

If seven people were at a birthday party, and the cake was dropped on the floor, here is how each gift might respond:

Prophecy

“That’s what happens when you’re not careful!”

Motivation: To correct

Mercy

“Don’t feel bad! It could have happened to anyone!”

Motivation: To relieve embarrassment

Administration

“Tom, you go get the mop. Stephanie, you pick up the pieces. Larry, would you help me fix another dessert?”

Motivation: To achieve the immediate goal of the group

Serving

“Oh, let me help you clean it up!”

Motivation: To fulfill a practical need

Giving

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll buy a new dessert and cake plate. I’ll take care of it.”

Motivation: To give to a tangible need

Teaching

“The reason you dropped the plate …”

Motivation: To discover why it happened

Exhortation

“Next time, you should bring it in holding it like this.”

Motivation: To correct the future