We often refer to someone as gifted. One might be thought of as a gifted pianist or a gifted athlete. With such terminology, we are most likely referring to a person who is unusually talented and who has worked hard to perfect some ability. When the New Testament refers to spiritual gifts the meaning is somewhat different from natural abilities. A person might be talented but not possess a spiritual gift. Such an observation rests on a basic truth about spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are Spirit-given. This immediately tightens the circle of spiritual gifts to something possessed by believers who have been born of the Spirit. Non-Christians can be quite talented, but only Christians possess Spirit-given gifts. Human talents are related to physical birth, but spiritual gifts are related to our spiritual rebirth.
The wording of 1 Corinthians 12:4 is significant when declaring, “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” The term used for “gifts” (charismata) is built on the Greek term for grace (charis). Thus the Bible describes spiritual gifts not only as Spirit-given but also as grace-given. Since spiritual gifts are bestowals of grace, no room is allowed for pride or boasting over a particular gift.
1 Corinthians 12:11
Divine sovereignty attaches to spiritual gifts. After listing a sampling of nine spiritual gifts, 1 Corinthians 12:11 explains, “All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.” Since we do not choose among the variety of spiritual gifts, no place exists for pride over one’s own gift or envy over another’s gift.
God’s purpose in bestowing spiritual gifts through His Spirit is for service in the body of Christ, the Church. Spirit-bestowed gifts are not for an individual’s private use or personal enjoyment. Such gifts are for enabling Christ’s body to function effectively and fruitfully. Such is the unmistakable force of 1 Corinthians 12:7, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” This being true, grace gifts come in a marvelous variety, such as enabling varieties of service through a healthy body. We have a common saying when people are clumsy, “They are all thumbs.” If such were literally true, a person would be totally unable to play a piano. Such a person might be adept at hitching a ride but not at painting a masterpiece.
‘Varieties of gifts’
As the body of Christ, the Church ideally has “varieties of gifts” by which to offer “varieties of service” and “varieties of activities,” all empowered by God through the agency of His Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4–6). The reverse side of this truth is that all members of the Church do not possess the same gift, as declared in 1 Corinthians 12:14, “The body does not consist of one member but of many.” The corollary of this is that every member of the body is uniquely important, being placed in the body by God and gifted by His Spirit.
Two practical truths flow from this, or at least should. First no one should belittle or minimize his or her spiritual gift. We cannot say that because we are not gifted in the same way as others we are unimportant to the body (1 Cor. 12:14–16). Second no one should discount or demean another’s role in the Church, saying we really do not need that bodily part as if an eye said to a hand, “I have no need of you” (1 Cor. 12:21). In the Church every member is grace-gifted in some way and is thereby important to the body.
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