I Corinthians 12:8-11: "God Gives a Variety of Gifts"
Continuing with his discussion of tongues, Paul sets out to discuss more specifically the various types of gifts. In the previous section Paul had written to the Corinthians explaining that God has given to each a variety of gifts, and they all come from God. Paul will reaffirm what he had said in the last section in more specific detail, showing the Corinthians the various gifts that God gives his children, and all our done through the Holy Spirit. The point Paul is trying to make, "the apostle does not here explain the functions of the particular gifts. His point is to illustrate the variety in kinds of gifts and to emphasize the common source of the gifts, each of which is given for 'the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good' (v.7)".
Paul begins, "For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit". The first gift that Paul discusses is that of wisdom. By the use of "word" in this passage, Paul refers to a speaking gift. It seems to be the special ability of a believer to understand and apply God's will. It is a skillful and practical application of the truth that has been learned by an individual. It is not to say that all believers do not possess a strong level of wisdom. For Paul himself had earlier said that we inherit the wisdom of Christ when we become believers'. However, certain individuals are given a much deeper and stronger ability to pull wisdom from God's Word and explain it richly to others. MacArthur writes, "Communicating wisdom is the function of the expositor, interpretations of commentators and other Bible scholars. It is also the ability a counselor must have in order to apply God's truth to the questions and problems brought to him".
Next Paul specifies the gift of knowledge, "and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit". Closely linked with wisdom, is the gift of knowledge. MacArthur points out, "the word of knowledge is a broad term, which basically refers to perceiving and understanding the truths of God's Word". Those gifted with this have a deep insight into the revelations of God. They have an adept ability at learning and retaining, and therefore, communicating what God has revealed to us in His word.
Paul moves on to explain that the Holy Spirit also gifts others with a divine super-natural faith. "To another faith by the same Spirit". Obviously, Paul here is not referring to the saving faith that is characterized in each believer. We have all been around people that seem to have an amazing ability to remain loyal and trusting in God regardless of how dire and difficult the situation becomes. There are a few that can constantly remind others of the faithful promises of God, and lay claim on them when they face temptation. It is those individuals that God has specifically given the gift of faith. MacArthur points out that "through the history of the church thousands of saints with gifts of faith have believed God in the face of great danger and often death, and in exercising their faith have strengthened the faith of their brothers and sisters in the Lord". Some of these saints are discussed in Heb. 11.
Paul continues, "and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit". It was true in Paul's time that the apostles and selected believers were given the gift of healing. These were miraculous healings that were allowed by God to be worked through these apostles to authenticate their ministry and the starting church. This gift was given at specific times for specific purposes, to show the power of God. It is clear today that no one can claim the power of this gift as was used in the past. God can choose to miraculously heal individuals through prayer, however, individuals cannot simply lay hands on someone to heal them or raise them from the dead that occurred throughout the New Testament church time. MacArthur points out, "As did all the others with the gifts of healings, Paul used it sparingly and only for its intended purpose. It was never used solely for the purpose of bringing physical health. Paul himself was sick, yet he never healed himself nor asked a fellow gifted believer to heal him".
More general than the gift of healing was the gift of miracles. "And to another the effecting of miracles". Miracles can be looked at as times in history when God has stepped in to effect the natural outcome of an event. It is something that defies the natural laws of physics. For example the parting of the Red Sea, was a time in history when God allowed and powered Moses the ability to part the Red Sea by the raising of his hands. Never again has this event occurred because it is against the law of physics. MacArthur writes, "A miracle is an act of God that is contrary to the ordinary working and laws of nature, an act that only He could accomplish by overruling nature and that could not otherwise occur through any circumstance". Again, these gifts were given to those in the early church to authenticate the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the church.
Paul then moves to the next gift, prophecy. "And to another prophecy". The word prophecy means to speak forth or proclaim. The prophets carried out this function throughout the Old Testament, and various other believers have been given this gift in the New Testament times. God had given the prophets the ability to proclaim to the people wisdom or knowledge that was pertinent for them to hear. At times they would be prophetic in warning them about future happenings, however, it was often a speaking forth of a truth from God. MacArthur writes, "The original terms, in fact, did not necessarily carry the idea of revelation. God revealed a great deal of His Word through the prophets, but much of their ministry was simply proclaiming, expounding, and exhorting with revelation already given". Paul, In I Cor. 14:3 gives us an explanation to the function of this gift, "But one who prophecies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation".
Paul continues, "and to another the distinguishing of spirits". Distinguishing of spirits has to do with the idea of discernment. It is the ability to understand and have insight into things that others may not have. Paul had previously spoken about the true and false spirits that were running rampant in the church. MacArthur writes, "Those to whom God has given the gift of discernment have a special ability to recognize lying spirits, and this gift is the Spirit's watchdog. Some ideas that are given as scriptural and that on the surface seem scriptural actually are clever counterfeits that would deceive most believers. Those with the gift of discernment are the Holy Spirit's inspectors, His counterfeit experts to whom He gives special insight and understanding".
The last gift Paul brings up is the much controversial gift of tongues, "to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Here we can see the distinction between two gifts relating to tongues. There were those who had the ability to speak tongues and those who had the ability to translate them for the edification of the body. MacArthur does not speak to these gifts as they will be discussed in detail in another section. However, it is pointed out that these gifts were being misused and misapplied in the church at Corinth. We must recognize this as a genuine gift given by God to certain individuals, however, it is much debated as to the temporary or permanent nature of these gifts. It is a question as to whether these gifts are in operation today.
Paul concludes this section with the point he began with, that all gifts are given and powered by the Holy Spirit. It is through one source that various believers receive various gifts and they are all to be used for the edification of the church. Paul writes, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each on individually just as He wills". It is clear God has a purpose in giving specific gifts to various believers. It is not our job to complain or fight over which gift we want, but rather, to recognize God's gift to us, and using it for the proper reason: to edify and encourage the church. MacArthur writes, "There is no indication here that gifts should be sought. That would violate both the idea of a gift of grace and the intent of the text, which is to instruct the Corinthians to recognize that all believers have gifts that are different. In God's sovereignty He has given gifts to be the fulfillment of His divine purpose. They are not a smorgasbord from which believers may choose".
Paul begins, "For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit". The first gift that Paul discusses is that of wisdom. By the use of "word" in this passage, Paul refers to a speaking gift. It seems to be the special ability of a believer to understand and apply God's will. It is a skillful and practical application of the truth that has been learned by an individual. It is not to say that all believers do not possess a strong level of wisdom. For Paul himself had earlier said that we inherit the wisdom of Christ when we become believers'. However, certain individuals are given a much deeper and stronger ability to pull wisdom from God's Word and explain it richly to others. MacArthur writes, "Communicating wisdom is the function of the expositor, interpretations of commentators and other Bible scholars. It is also the ability a counselor must have in order to apply God's truth to the questions and problems brought to him".
Next Paul specifies the gift of knowledge, "and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit". Closely linked with wisdom, is the gift of knowledge. MacArthur points out, "the word of knowledge is a broad term, which basically refers to perceiving and understanding the truths of God's Word". Those gifted with this have a deep insight into the revelations of God. They have an adept ability at learning and retaining, and therefore, communicating what God has revealed to us in His word.
Paul moves on to explain that the Holy Spirit also gifts others with a divine super-natural faith. "To another faith by the same Spirit". Obviously, Paul here is not referring to the saving faith that is characterized in each believer. We have all been around people that seem to have an amazing ability to remain loyal and trusting in God regardless of how dire and difficult the situation becomes. There are a few that can constantly remind others of the faithful promises of God, and lay claim on them when they face temptation. It is those individuals that God has specifically given the gift of faith. MacArthur points out that "through the history of the church thousands of saints with gifts of faith have believed God in the face of great danger and often death, and in exercising their faith have strengthened the faith of their brothers and sisters in the Lord". Some of these saints are discussed in Heb. 11.
Paul continues, "and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit". It was true in Paul's time that the apostles and selected believers were given the gift of healing. These were miraculous healings that were allowed by God to be worked through these apostles to authenticate their ministry and the starting church. This gift was given at specific times for specific purposes, to show the power of God. It is clear today that no one can claim the power of this gift as was used in the past. God can choose to miraculously heal individuals through prayer, however, individuals cannot simply lay hands on someone to heal them or raise them from the dead that occurred throughout the New Testament church time. MacArthur points out, "As did all the others with the gifts of healings, Paul used it sparingly and only for its intended purpose. It was never used solely for the purpose of bringing physical health. Paul himself was sick, yet he never healed himself nor asked a fellow gifted believer to heal him".
More general than the gift of healing was the gift of miracles. "And to another the effecting of miracles". Miracles can be looked at as times in history when God has stepped in to effect the natural outcome of an event. It is something that defies the natural laws of physics. For example the parting of the Red Sea, was a time in history when God allowed and powered Moses the ability to part the Red Sea by the raising of his hands. Never again has this event occurred because it is against the law of physics. MacArthur writes, "A miracle is an act of God that is contrary to the ordinary working and laws of nature, an act that only He could accomplish by overruling nature and that could not otherwise occur through any circumstance". Again, these gifts were given to those in the early church to authenticate the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the church.
Paul then moves to the next gift, prophecy. "And to another prophecy". The word prophecy means to speak forth or proclaim. The prophets carried out this function throughout the Old Testament, and various other believers have been given this gift in the New Testament times. God had given the prophets the ability to proclaim to the people wisdom or knowledge that was pertinent for them to hear. At times they would be prophetic in warning them about future happenings, however, it was often a speaking forth of a truth from God. MacArthur writes, "The original terms, in fact, did not necessarily carry the idea of revelation. God revealed a great deal of His Word through the prophets, but much of their ministry was simply proclaiming, expounding, and exhorting with revelation already given". Paul, In I Cor. 14:3 gives us an explanation to the function of this gift, "But one who prophecies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation".
Paul continues, "and to another the distinguishing of spirits". Distinguishing of spirits has to do with the idea of discernment. It is the ability to understand and have insight into things that others may not have. Paul had previously spoken about the true and false spirits that were running rampant in the church. MacArthur writes, "Those to whom God has given the gift of discernment have a special ability to recognize lying spirits, and this gift is the Spirit's watchdog. Some ideas that are given as scriptural and that on the surface seem scriptural actually are clever counterfeits that would deceive most believers. Those with the gift of discernment are the Holy Spirit's inspectors, His counterfeit experts to whom He gives special insight and understanding".
The last gift Paul brings up is the much controversial gift of tongues, "to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. Here we can see the distinction between two gifts relating to tongues. There were those who had the ability to speak tongues and those who had the ability to translate them for the edification of the body. MacArthur does not speak to these gifts as they will be discussed in detail in another section. However, it is pointed out that these gifts were being misused and misapplied in the church at Corinth. We must recognize this as a genuine gift given by God to certain individuals, however, it is much debated as to the temporary or permanent nature of these gifts. It is a question as to whether these gifts are in operation today.
Paul concludes this section with the point he began with, that all gifts are given and powered by the Holy Spirit. It is through one source that various believers receive various gifts and they are all to be used for the edification of the church. Paul writes, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each on individually just as He wills". It is clear God has a purpose in giving specific gifts to various believers. It is not our job to complain or fight over which gift we want, but rather, to recognize God's gift to us, and using it for the proper reason: to edify and encourage the church. MacArthur writes, "There is no indication here that gifts should be sought. That would violate both the idea of a gift of grace and the intent of the text, which is to instruct the Corinthians to recognize that all believers have gifts that are different. In God's sovereignty He has given gifts to be the fulfillment of His divine purpose. They are not a smorgasbord from which believers may choose".
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