1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Gifts from the Same Spirit
1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
2You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.
3Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.
5There are different ministries, but the same Lord.
6There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit,
9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.
Berean Standard Bible
Paul does not want the Corinthians to be uninformed about spiritual gifts. Their former life involved being led astray to mute idols, but the Spirit of God gives them a clear confession: no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit; different kinds of service, but the same Lord; and different kinds of working, but the same God. The variety is not a problem for God to solve. The one God gives different gifts, services, and effects while remaining the source of them all.
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. A gift is therefore not a private badge of spiritual rank. It is a way the Spirit serves the community through a particular person. The gift may be wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing spirits, different tongues, or interpretation of tongues.
Paul does not say every believer receives the same manifestation. He says one and the same Spirit gives them as He determines. That prevents both envy and boasting. The person with a public gift is not more loved, and the person whose service is quiet is not less spiritual.
Families can help one another notice gifts without turning that discovery into competition. The important question is not “Which gift makes me impressive?” but “How is the Spirit enabling me to help the people God has placed around me?”
Questions
1 What confession marks speech from the Holy Spirit?
AnswerThe confession that Jesus is Lord marks speech from the Holy Spirit, while the Spirit does not lead anyone to curse Jesus.
2 What remains the same amid different gifts?
AnswerThe same Spirit, Lord, and God remain the source of different gifts, services, and workings.
3 Why is each manifestation given?
AnswerEach manifestation is given for the common good, so the community may be helped rather than one person elevated.
4 Who decides how gifts are distributed?
AnswerThe one Spirit distributes gifts to each person as He determines, not according to human status or competition.
What This Means for Us
Name the gift without turning the person into the gift. Encourage service that helps others, and make room for contributions that are quiet, practical, or easy to overlook.
When comparing gifts, return to the shared confession that Jesus is Lord. The Spirit's variety is meant to create interdependence, not a spiritual ranking system.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for giving different gifts for the common good. Keep us from envy and boasting, and show each of us how to serve Jesus and strengthen His people. Amen.