4 “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”
Now the Holy Spirit, through Paul, turns to diversity and catalog of spiritual gifts. God’s plan for the church is diversity, not uniformity, in spiritual gifts. Each member of the Trinity has a role in spiritual gifts: the Holy Spirit distributes the gifts, the Lord places people in ministry, and the Father empowers people to do ministry. There are varieties in gifts, ministries, and effects, but they all have sameness in the Trinity. God’s doctrine is diversity in unity, not uniformity.
12:4
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
The word “gift” is the Greek word charismata. The charis part of the word means grace. The ma portion of the word is the passive suffix meaning that it is a grace given. They are grace-gifts. God did the giving or bestowing of the gift upon us. These gifts are not native to us like natural talents. Both Christian and non-Christian alike share capacity for talent, but only Christians have spiritual gifts. A gift is a special, supernatural enablement or capacity to do the work of God. Spiritual gifts are not natural capacities; they are supernaturally bestowed capacity.
“Diversities” means distributions, distinctions, allotments, apportionments. The word suggests a separation of something already joined together. God distributes gifts in many varieties. No one gets all the “gifts” for there are different kinds for different people. There are about 20 gifts listed in the New Testament (Ephesians 4:7-11; 1 Corinthians 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:11).
The “same Spirit” is the Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is the source of all gifts. Sameness comes from the source.
12:5
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
As there are diversities of gifts, there are differences in ministry opportunities as well. The word “differences” is the same Greek word as “diversities” in verses four and six. The word “ministries” means forms of services. The plural means different kinds of services. It is possible to have the same gift but have a different ministry. Some may use the gift of evangelism in child evangelism, while others may use it on the campus. There is variety in uses of gifts. God does not give special supernatural capacities for the self but to serve.
It is the “same Lord,” that is, the second person of the Trinity, that gives different kinds of service. All ministries represent Christ. We are here to represent Him.
12:6
And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
The third category of “diversities” is “activities.” The word “activities” means effects and literally has the idea of what is worked out or energized. This word in Greek (energemata – energizing) means manifestations of the Spirit’s power as over against human power. This is operational power. God empowers the effect. As with gifts and ministries, God gives different effects or results in ministry. There are different results from the use of gifts. God gives some ministries more fruit than others. Ministries to Muslims do not have the same fruit as other ministries.
It is the “same God,” that is, God the Father who works “all in all.” God works all the gifts in all persons.
PRINCIPLE:
God loves diversity, not uniformity.
APPLICATION:
God loves diversity. He does not use a cookie-cutter to stamp out the same pattern of gifts. Diversity has its underpinning in God Himself. He makes Christians wonderfully different from each other. A choir is one but has at least four sections: bass, tenor, alto, and soprano. Each contributes to the unity of beautiful music. This is more beautiful than a choir of all sopranos. There are many members in the choir, but there is only one conductor. A football team with uniformity of all guards is not very exciting or effective. The Christian does not have anything to say about whether he plays guard or quarterback.
Spiritual gifts do not indicate merit or spirituality. We do not have a gift because we are better than someone else or have had a certain kind of experience. None of us earns or deserves a gift. It is something we discover and use. We cannot say, “What a great person I am because I have a such-and-such gift.” What gifts we possess reside in the sovereign decision of God the Trinity.
God gives special, supernatural gifts to every Christian without exception. Each gift is as important as any other gift. God specially designs each gift for each believer. We cannot do God’s work without a special endowment of a spiritual gift. Christian work is simply exercising our spiritual gift. There is no difference between a preacher and a plumber. There is no such thing as a “layman.”
We can neglect our gift or fail to use it, but if we do, it will atrophy. If we do not use a muscle, it will atrophy and become weaker and weaker. The Holy Spirit enables us to use our gifts.
Good morning, Grant,
I know you don’t want your readers to be a fawning lot, but your exegesis of gifts and especially the illustrations, especially to a reader who has played football, is outstanding.
Trust all is going well with you and with ANM.
Warmest regards,
Steve
Hello Steve. Thanks or your comments. Did you play football?
Yes, Sir I did–hence your illustration resonated with me! Ha!
I played defense–a linebacker whose job it was to get to the quarterback. But the folks on the line of the opposing team seemed to also realize my mission. Hence I had to be a little more creative in my strategy to reach the QB.
Also, your explanation of ‘what a spiritual gift is not’ is outstanding. I hope you don’t mind, Grant, but I’m including your link in a concept paper (actually a book now–Ha!). It’s about a new US-based organization ministering to local business owners in local churches.
I don’t know if I already told you about this plan for a new organization.
The purpose is to encourage them to build their businesses up, start new businesses and even invest in business-as-mission businesses overseas–especially in the 10/40 window. All is hoped to be accomplished with the goal being that the church, starting with the local church, be able to vet and send missionaries to their God-led group/tribe/mission immediately WITHOUT having to add the skill set of being also a fundraiser.
I truly believe surrendered believers in business–starting right in the pews on Sunday–can eventually provide ALL the funding needed for both traditional and native missionaries (like ANM’s Bo & Carl).
I’ve been engaged with Jo Plummer (and others at the Business As Mission movement) in Chiang Mai and she’s been helping me get in touch with others in business. My ‘partner in crime’ for this project is an ex-pat Floridian who has lived in Yangon, Myanmar for years with his wife and runs 3-4 businesses there. He also has a ministry for victims of the sex trafficking industry there that his businesses help support.
I’m to the draft stage in development. I’m trying to get business folks–and other interested parties–to read portions of the concept ‘book’ and give me push-back and suggestions. I’ve got five distinct ministries for business folks coming from the one concept. In fact, right now, I’ve been sending people the one big hodgepodge Word document–unedited, not paginated, no pictures, no graphs or illustrations.
I’ve helped so many folks start and grow their businesses over these last 40 years that I feel as though I’m suffering from the ‘Shoemaker’s Children Syndrome’ in not doing what I’ve told other to do quite successfully! Ha!
Sorry to go off from your football question, Grant, but this has been on my heart.
Steve, as someone who pastored 3 churches and taught in a number of seminaries I believe this new ministry you mentioned is an outstanding idea and sorely need in the church today.
Hi Grant
I’m doing a summer school during Augustus this year in my church on the Body of Christ/sp[iritual gifts and placement. With your permission I will make use of your commentary as I think it is clear and helpful.
Phil Dobson
LIVERPOO UK
Phil, feel free to use this material and you don’t have to quote me. However, please do not sell my material without permission.
Thank you for this exegesis of 1 Co 12. 5, 6 and the Eph and 1 Peter references. I had not paid attention to “services” & “working” and needed clarification, so I thank you!
Hi Grant, I read through your write up and had a clearer understanding about 1Cor 12: 4-6 (the role of the Trinity in Spiritual Gift). However, having serve God and the interest of His kingdom for some years now, I still can’t factom the Gift God has giving to me. I know I pray and God answers especially for others, I also serve God matter the ups and down. The zeal to always serve is always there. The question is: How can identify the predominant Gifts of God in me?
Francis, find a study of spiritual gifts and how to determine which you have here: https://versebyversecommentary.com/articles/doctrine/spiritual-gifts/
Hi,
Grant,
Thank you for this article.
It’s great.
I have read a lot about spiritual gifts and listened to lots of preachers but have yet to understand the meaning until today.
You liberated me!
How can I get in touch with you if I have any other biblical questions?
Thanks.
Michael, just blog me on the passage you have a question about.
I like the exegesis. Simple and easy to grasp. Stay blessed
Augustine, you expressed the purpose of this site exactly.