Understanding the Gifts of the Spirit (June 15, 2025)

1 Corinthians 12:1–11 ~ “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”

There is a term that has been used for Pentecostal churches and that term is “charismatic”. This term is defined as describes someone who has charisma, one who  inspires and fascinates other people. There has been quite a fascination around the Holy Spirit, Pentecostal people. There is an interest and an exciting aspect of the Holy Spirit’s work. If you look at verse 4, the word “gifts”, this is where the word “charismatic” is derived from a Greek word, which also could be define or translated as “endowments”.

Overall, I want us to have a basic understanding about the gifts of the Spirit, so we are to understand the gifts of the Spirit are: Disclosed, Described, Defined, Distributed and Desired. This is going to be a basic overview of the gifts and not a deep dive.

The Gifts of the Spirit are Disclosed

• God has given disclosure regarding the spiritual gifts in His Word.
• Paul gives at least three reasons for discussing this subject.
  • To combat ignorance (verse 1)
  • To convey insight (verse 3)
  • To communicate instruction – 1 Corinthians 14:37 ~ “If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.”

The Gifts of the Spirit are Described

• There is a listing of nine manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit (verses 7-10).
• They fall easily into groups of three:
  • Information enabling the believers to know
    • Word of Wisdom
    • Word of Knowledge
    • Discerning of Spirits
  • Articulation enabling the believers to supernaturally speak
    • Prophecy
    • Divers kinds of tongues
    • Interpretation of tongues
  • Operation enabling the believers to supernaturally do
    • Faith
    • Gifts of Healing
    • Miracles

The Gifts of the Spirit Defined

• Paul uses five different words in discussing the gifts.
  • Spiritual Gifts (verse 1)- pertaining to the Spirit; influenced by the Spirit
  • Gifts (verse 4) – in the Greek, this word is charisma; this is the New Testament word for grace; Charisma is a special term for grace gifts; denotes an undeserved benefit from God; a favor which one receives without merit of his own
  • Administrations/Service (verse 5) – to wait on or serve; service, support, ministry
  • Operations/Activities (verse 6) – energy; an effect, work or operation; connotes power at work; activity that is efficient and productive
  • Manifestations (verse 7) – to make visible or manifest; to make known

The Gifts of the Spirit Distributed

• A relevant question is answered by Paul about the distribution of the gifts in verses 8-11.
  • They are distributed sovereignly (verse 11)
  • They are distributed supernaturally (verse 11)
  • They are distributed separately (verses 8-11)

The Gifts of the Spirit Desired

• Paul used a word throughout 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 that is defined for us today as covet earnestly (1 Corinthians 12:31), desire (1 Corinthians 14:1), and covert (1 Corinthians 14:39).
• At the heart of these terms is the idea “to desire”.

1 Corinthians 12:31 ~ “But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.”

• The gifts of the Spirit are to be personally desired by all believers.
• The gifts of the Spirit are to be persistently desired by all believers.
• The gifts of the Spirit are to be preferentially desired by all believers.
• The gifts of the Spirit are to be passionately desired by all believers.

Knowing all about the gifts is not enough. God wants us to know the reality of the gifts in our own lives and experiences. Can God manifest His presence and minister His power through you to accomplish His will and do His work?