1 Corinthians 12:7-10 KJV: The Manifestation of the Spirit
The Diversity of Spiritual Gifts
In 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, the apostle Paul writes:
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 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:
In this passage, Paul explains that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every believer for the common good. The Spirit manifests Himself in various ways, distributing different gifts to each individual. These gifts are not meant to elevate the individual but to profit the entire body of Christ.
The Variety of Spiritual Gifts
Paul mentions nine spiritual gifts in this passage:
1. The Word of Wisdom
The gift of the word of wisdom allows the believer to speak with spiritual insight, understanding the deep things of God.
2. The Word of Knowledge
The gift of the word of knowledge enables the believer to possess a deep understanding of spiritual truths and mysteries.
3. Faith
The gift of faith is the ability to trust God without doubting, even in the face of impossible circumstances.
4. Gifts of Healing
The gifts of healing refer to the ability to pray for the sick and see them recover.
5. Working of Miracles
The gift of working miracles involves the ability to perform supernatural acts that demonstrate God's power.
6. Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is the ability to speak forth the mind of God, often predicting future events or revealing hidden truths.
7. Discerning of Spirits
The gift of discerning of spirits allows the believer to distinguish between good and evil spirits, as well as to identify the motivations behind various actions.
8. Divers Kinds of Tongues
The gift of divers kinds of tongues refers to the ability to speak in languages unknown to the speaker, allowing believers to communicate with people from different linguistic backgrounds.
9. Interpretation of Tongues
The gift of interpretation of tongues is the ability to understand and explain the meaning of languages spoken in tongues.
The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to believers to profit the entire body of Christ. These gifts are not meant to elevate individuals but to edify the church, demonstrating God's power and wisdom to a watching world.
