What are the spiritual gifts listed in this passage?

Paul lists several spiritual gifts. He mentions the word of wisdom, which is insight into how to rightly apply God’s truth. Then the word of knowledge, which is understanding of God’s truth and mysteries. He speaks of faith, a strong, active trust in God’s power. He adds gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. These are not natural talents, but special ways the Holy Spirit works through different believers for the good of the church.

What does it mean that no one can say "Jesus is the Lord" but by the Holy Ghost?

When Paul says no one can say “Jesus is the Lord” except by the Holy Ghost, he is not talking about just saying the words. He means truly confessing Jesus as Lord from the heart. A person who really bows to Jesus as Lord, trusts Him, and honors Him shows that the Holy Spirit is at work in them. In the same way, someone truly led by the Spirit will never curse Jesus. The Spirit’s work always lines up with lifting up Christ, never putting Him down.

Why does Paul remind the church about their past with dumb idols?

Paul reminds them that they were once led away to dumb idols to show the contrast between their old life and their new life. Before, they followed speechless idols that could not speak or save. Now they are led by the living God and His Spirit. This reminder helps them see that not every spiritual-sounding thing is from God. True spiritual life will honor Jesus as Lord and come from the Holy Spirit, not from their old ways or from confusion that comes from their former idol worship.

Why are there many different gifts but only one Spirit?

Paul repeats that there are different gifts, ministries, and workings, but they all come from the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God. This shows that variety in the church is God’s plan, not a problem. One believer may have wisdom, another healing, another tongues, and another prophecy. None of them has everything, and no gift makes someone more important. The one Spirit gives different gifts so the body of Christ will be balanced, humble, and dependent on one another rather than proud and divided.

What does it mean that the manifestation of the Spirit is to profit all?

The “manifestation of the Spirit” is how the Holy Spirit shows Himself through a believer, often by a spiritual gift. Paul says this is given “to profit withal,” meaning for the benefit of everyone, not just the person with the gift. So if someone has a gift of teaching, healing, or tongues, it is meant to build up the church, strengthen faith, and help others. Gifts are not given as toys for personal display or to boost ego. They are tools for service, aimed at the common good of the whole church.

How does the Holy Spirit decide which gifts to give to each person?

Paul explains that one and the same Spirit works all these different gifts and “divides to every man severally as he will.” That means the Holy Spirit is the one who chooses who gets which gift, and in what measure. It is not based on a person’s worth or effort, but on God’s wisdom and plan. Some receive one gift, some another. This should lead to humility and thankfulness, not jealousy or pride. Each believer can rest knowing that whatever gift they have comes from God’s good choice.

What is the difference between the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge?

The passage mentions both the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge, and these are related but not the same. The word of knowledge has to do with knowing and understanding God’s truth, especially the things He has revealed. The word of wisdom is insight into how to rightly use that truth, how to apply it in teaching, counsel, and decisions. You might think of knowledge as understanding what God has said, and wisdom as knowing how and when to speak or act on that truth in a way that honors Him.

How should Christians today think about using spiritual gifts?

From this passage, Christians should see spiritual gifts as God’s gracious work, not personal trophies. They should ask, “How can this gift help others and honor Jesus?” rather than, “How does this make me look?” Gifts should always point to Jesus as Lord and line up with the Spirit’s character. Believers should be thankful for whatever gifts God has given, respect the gifts of others, and avoid comparing or competing. The main question is whether the gift is being used in love, for the building up of the church.

1Cor.12.1

1 Corinthians 12:1

KJV

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Spiritual Gifts

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.