Our previous study focused on the spiritual gifts described in the book Romans 12.
This week we will focus on the gifts and their definitions mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12.
1 Corinthians 12: 8-10 mentions TEN specific gifts. The spiritual gifts mentioned in this passage include;
Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing, Miraculous Powers, Prophecy, distinguishing between the spirits, Speaking in Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues.
(Reminder….) What Are Spiritual Gifts? Spiritual gifts are special abilities, given by the Holy Spirit to
believers, enabling them to serve God, minister to others, and build up the body of Christ.
They are GIFTS from God— NOT something we earn, achieve, or take credit for. They are given according
to God’s grace and His purpose for our lives. Every believer has a role to play, and God equips His people differently so that, together, the Church can function as the body of Christ.
Listed below are the definitions of each gift mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. As you read these gifts,
try to discern if ‘that gift’ might be something that YOU have.
In two weeks you will have the opportunity to take a ‘test’ to help you determine which ‘gift’ you have!!
WORD OF WISDOM ~ The ability to apply God’s truth wisely to a particular situation, helping others know what to do or how to respond.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE ~ The ability to understand/communicate ‘knowledge’ of spiritual truth or
information that is needed for a particular situation.
FAITH ~ The Spirit given confidence in God and His promises that enables a person to trust Him for something beyond what circumstances seem to allow. Distinct from ‘everyday saving faith’.
HEALING ~ There are three types of healing; physical, emotional and spiritual. This is NOT of human
power…. The healing comes from God alone. “The spiritual gift of healing is the supernatural manifestation of the Spirit of God that miraculously brings healing and deliverance from disease and/or infirmity. It is the power of God that destroys the work of sin and/or the devil in the human body, such as
the healings that Jesus and the disciples performed (Matthew 4:24; 15:30; Acts 5:15-16; 28:8-9).”
God still performs miracles. God still heals people. There is nothing preventing God from healing one person through the ministry of another person.
Let no one claim that he/she has healed another… this gift is
strictly being used by God to bring about healing from the Holy Spirit, not a person.
WORKING OF MIRACLES ~ The Greek phrase is energēmata dynameōn, literally carrying the idea of “workings/activities of powers.” It describes supernatural acts accomplished by God’s power, beyond ordinary human ability.
Healing can be miraculous, but the working of miracles may include other extraordinary manifestations of God’s power.
Biblical miracles frequently accomplish several things: they glorify God, demonstrate His power and compassion, and at significant points authenticate God’s message and His messengers.
For example, Hebrews 2:3–4 describes God bearing witness to the message of salvation “by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”
Not all pastors and theologians believe that the ‘gift of miracles’ is prevalent today.
Here are a few of the reasons they ‘state this’…. Miracles are supernatural events that occur outside the bounds of what is natural. By definition, they are rare and out of the ordinary. The apostles certainly had the gift of miracles as they laid the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20) and bore witness to the veracity of their message.
The spiritual gift of miracles is mentioned again in 1 Corinthians 12:28. In this context, Paul emphasizes the fact that all gifts have the same source, the Holy Spirit, and he encourages equality and unity among the believers.
The question arises as to whether or not the spiritual gift of miracles is still active today in the church. Some believe that the specific gift of miracles ceased with the office of apostle.
There were only twelve apostles (Revelation 21:14), and the apostolic gifts are no longer needed to verify the apostles’ message. This in no way limits God’s power or ability to work miracles as He sees fit. We absolutely
believe that God still heals and works miracles today. Got questions.org.
Cindy’s belief? Never put God in a box….He can do anything HE desires!!
PROPHESY/PROPHECY ~ (defined last week) the Greek word translated “prophesying” or “prophecy” means to “speak forth” or declare the divine will, to interpret the purposes of God, or to make known in any way the truth of God which is designed to influence people. (Not to be confused with ‘predicting the future, only the Lord knows the future).
A Pastor/Teacher who declares/teaches God’s Word can be considered a ‘prophesier’, in that he is speaking forth the counsel of God.
DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN THE SPIRITS ~ a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to identify whether a teaching, an action or a manifestation originates from God, the human spirit or demonic influence. This goes beyond basic ‘Human intuition, critical thinking or common sense.”
Much is debated about this gift, and the following gifts, therefore, I believe that if you have this gift or the gift of
speaking in tongues or the interpretation of tongues PLEASE do some deeper study on these!!!
SPEAKING IN TONGUES/INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES ~
In the Bible, speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift in which a person speaks in a language they have not learned, enabled by the Holy Spirit. The New Testament uses the Greek word glōssa (γλῶσσα), meaning “tongue” or “language.”
According to 1 Corinthians, tongues can function differently depending on the setting. Paul describes speaking “to God” rather than to people when no one understands the tongue (1 Corinthians 14:2).
But in a gathered church, Paul emphasizes that other believers need to understand what is being said. Therefore, a publicly spoken tongue should be interpreted:
“If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three… and let someone interpret.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:27
Without an interpreter, Paul says the person should “keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God” (14:28).
Does every Christian speak in tongues?
Paul’s rhetorical questions in 1 Corinthians 12:29–30 strongly indicate no:
“Are all apostles? … Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?”
The expected answer is no. The Holy Spirit distributes different gifts to different believers “as he wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
Paul writes:
“Do not forbid speaking in tongues.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:39
But neither does he allow uncontrolled or confusing use of the gift:
“All things should be done decently and in order.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:40
Scripture does NOT state that you must speak in tongues to be saved.
Paul writes:
Romans 10:9 — “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
And:
Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works…”
Remember, speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift that the Spirit gives according to His will.
The first time this gift appeared was in the book of Acts 2:1-4. Is it needed today? MANY people disagree on this specific gift … and yet, there are many today who are given this ‘gift’ from the Holy Spirit.
Never ‘try’ to GET this gift. If you have it, Praise God! If God wants you to have it, the Holy Spirit will give it to you.
The following gift ….walks hand in hand with Speaking in Tongues.
(INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES)
Interpretation of tongues is a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit that enables someone to communicate the meaning of a message spoken in a tongue.
Why is interpretation necessary?
Paul’s concern in 1 Corinthians 14 is that worship should build up the whole church. If someone speaks publicly in a tongue that the congregation cannot understand, the message doesn’t instruct anyone else.
That’s why Paul says:
1 Corinthians 14:5 — “…the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.”
Is interpretation the same as translation?
Not necessarily. The Greek word translated “interpretation” (hermēneia) carries the idea of explaining or interpreting something. Paul calls the gift “interpretation of tongues,” rather than describing a learned ability to translate a language.
The emphasis is that God enables the meaning to become understandable, not that the interpreter necessarily knows the language naturally.
Public tongues aren’t presented as uncontrolled speech that everyone joins in simultaneously. Paul requires order, interpretation, and edification of the church.
Tongues + interpretation
Paul’s basic principle is:
Tongue without interpretation → the congregation doesn’t understand.
Tongue + interpretation → the congregation receives an understandable message and can be edified.
Remember what Paul writes…
“If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three… and let someone interpret.”
— 1 Corinthians 14:27
Many believers and Pastors believe these two gifts are no longer needed. As I personally stated above,
Never put God in a box.
It would be AWESOME for you to do your own study on these two spiritual gifts, and see what the Lord has to say to you!!!
Next week…the description of the gifts in Ephesians.
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