The same source

The confusion in the Corinthian church arose from an excessive emphasis on the gift of tongues. To correct this, Paul explains that there is diversity in the gifts of the Spirit and that all of these gifts have the same source. (1) In the church there are various gifts, ministries, and activities. (2) Yet the One who distributes them is the same Spirit and the same Lord. (3) These gifts are given to each believer for the good of the whole church.

Various types of gifts (v 12:4-10)

Next, Paul gives examples of various spiritual gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 12:27-30; Rom. 12:3-8). These gifts may be defined approximately as follows: (1) The word of wisdom. This is the ability to understand the mystery of the gospel, which is the wisdom of God, and to proclaim it clearly. (2) The word of knowledge. This is the ability to reveal future events or hidden facts. It also appears to include the ability to understand the full scope of God’s plan as revealed in Scripture. (3) Faith. This does not refer to saving faith, but to the kind of faith that overcomes trials and calls forth miraculous works on earth. The martyrs were people who possessed this kind of faith. (4) The gifts of healing and the working of miracles. These two gifts are both outwardly manifested and overlap to a considerable degree. The apostles and the prophets were endowed with these gifts. (5) Prophecy. This is the ability to foretell future events. It may also include the ability to understand and interpret the prophecies of the Old Testament. (6) The distinguishing of spirits. This is the ability to discern the true motives hidden within a person’s heart and to recognize by what kind of spirit that person is being led. (7) Various kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. Tongues are the God-given ability to speak to God in a language one has never learned. The fact that “the interpretation of tongues” is mentioned immediately afterward likely reflects Paul’s intention to address and correct the confusion that existed in the Corinthian church. Feeling superior because of one spiritual gift or inferior because of another completely misses the point. The key phrase is, “for the good of the whole church.” Let us examine ourselves to see whether, in this regard, we have grieved the Holy Spirit.