September 10, 2024

1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28 (HCSB)
4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person. 7 A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial: 8 to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of languages, to another, interpretation of languages. 11 But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills. 28 And God has placed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, managing, various kinds of languages.

Jason Ricciardi
Before we discuss the additional spiritual gifts Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 12, it is helpful to consider several things: to whom Paul wrote, why he wrote, and his bigger purpose for mentioning these gifts. The Corinthian church was dysfunctional. The church was set in a prominent military and commercial town. It became known for its immorality. Paul first tried to reach his brethren, Jewish heritage people, but they would not respond and so he pivoted his message to gentiles as well. That unique mixture of circumstances found its way into the church – 1 and 2 Corinthians are written to address some of the issues that popped up –like disunity, immorality, and proper use of Christian freedom. Now, Paul’s bigger purpose for mentioning spiritual gifts is found in the fact that they are placed within 7 chapters discussing how to exercise Christian liberty properly – in an unbelieving world and in the Church. To each believer, the Spirit is given.  With the Spirit given, each believer has a spiritual gift. Therefore, each believer is uniquely equipped to 1) share Christ with a lost and dying world and 2) serve for the good of the Church. In today’s reading, Paul adds wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, discernment and tongues to what we discussed in Romans 12:3-8. Wisdom is both knowing AND doing the will of God. Knowledge involves understanding truth with a deep understanding that only comes from God. While all believers possess faith, this gift is strongly seen in those with resilient and unshakeable confidence in God and His Word. Healing seems to have been primarily a gift of the Apostles (we might occasionally see it today). Discernment is the ability to see through the fog Satan creates and see God’s will in the chaos. Much has been written about tongues, but I will mention one thing in closing –speaking in tongues is inextricably linked to having someone with the ability to interpret it. Remember, all of these are gifts God has given for “the common good” (vs. 7).  God gave you your spiritual gift to encourage others, serve one another and to give glory back to Him.