Four Categories of Spiritual Gifts in the New Testament

1 Cor 12:8–11; Eph 4:11; 1 Peter 4:10–11

Introduction

The most important words connected to “spiritual gifts” in the Bible are charisma (17x, 1 Cor 12; 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10), doma (4x, Luke 11:13; Eph 4:8), and dōrea (11x, Acts 2:38; Eph 4:7). All are different words to describe a “gift.” Combined they are in some really significant passages.

But let’s think about this word “gift” for a minute.

In every context a “gift” is something positive, desirable, appreciated. If you’re not speaking sarcastically and call something a “gift,” you’re saying it’s a really good thing. You don’t call it a “gift” if it means absolutely nothing to you and you could care less whether you have it or not. You don’t call it a “gift” unless there’s something about undeniably positive.

And the other side of calling something a “gift” is that there’s always a giver. If there’s no giver of the gift you don’t call it a gift. If there’s a gift, there’s a giver.

So, even our language in discussing “spiritual gifts” communicates a lot!

They are good things, and they’re given by a generous and loving Giver!

But every spiritual gift is also God giving of himself to us. The Spirit is there as the gifts are given.

Unlike gifts we give. It’s separate from me. Not so with God. He himself is there in the gift as it’s given to us and exercised by us.

I. The Greatest Spiritual Gift

Salvation:

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 12:1–3)

And the Spirit himself given to us:

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

II. The Gift that Leads to All the Gifts

“Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:33)

III. Overview of the NT Gifts

The Gifts By Text
Romans 12:6–8	1 Cor 12:8–10, 27–29	Eph 4:11	1 Peter 4:11
“Prophecy”	“Utterance of wisdom”	“Apostles”	“Speaks”
“Service”	“Utterance of knowledge”	“Prophets”	“Serves”
“Teaches”	“Faith”	“Evangelists”
“Exhorts”	“Gifts of healing”	“Shepherds and Teachers”
“Contributes” (NASB, “Gives”)	“Working of miracles”
“Leads”	“Prophecy”
“Does acts of mercy”	“Distinguish between spirits”
	“Tongues”
	“Interpretation of tongues”
	“Apostles”
	“Prophets”
	“Teachers”
	“Helping”
	“Administrating”

 

The Gifts By Type
Speaking Gifts	Serving Gifts	Gifts of Power	Gifts of People/Roles
“Whoever speaks”	“Whoever serves”	“Faith”	“Leading”/“Administrating”
“Prophecy”	“Contributes/gives”	“Gifts of Healings”	“Apostle”
“Teaching”	“Acts of mercy”	“Workings of Miracles”	“Prophet”
“Exhorts”	“Helping”	“Distinguishing between Spirits”	“Evangelist”
“Word of wisdom”			“Shepherd and Teacher”
“Word of knowledge”			“Teacher”
“Various kinds of tongue”			“Deacon”
“Interpretation of tongues”

We want to see the more common gifts as radical demonstrations of God’s power, and the more extraordinary gifts as normal parts of the Christian life.

IV. Speaking Gifts

Gifts included here:

• “Whoever speaks” (1 Peter 4:11)
• “Prophecy” (Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 12:10)
• “Teaching” (Rom 12:7)
• “Exhorts” (Rom 12:8)
• “Utterance of wisdom” (1 Cor 12:8)
• “Utterance of knowledge” (1 Cor 12:8)
• “Tongues” (1 Cor 12:10)
• “Interpretation of Tongues” (1 Cor 12:10)

A. “Whoever speaks” (1 Peter 4:11)

Peter uses a very normal word here, “speaks” (laleō). Used 296 times in the NT. This “speaks” is obviously a different kind from the typical way you and I speak to each other.

B. Prophecy

One of the most emphasized gifts in the NT. This one is prayed for by Moses:

Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’S people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (Num 11:26–29)

And then you get to the Day of Pentecost where this prayer is answered.

So powerfully communicates that this is a new day, it’s the age of the Spirit:

“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.’” (Acts 2:17–18 citing Joel 2:28–29)

Definition — Some variations but Wayne Grudem expresses the basic heart of what biblical prophecy is

Prophecy: Telling something that God has spontaneously brought to mind.
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology[1]

The NT has two types of prophets that are part of the church.

• Ephesians 2:20 Foundational Prophets

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. (Eph 2:19–20)

• 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 and 1 Cor 14:29 local prophets

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. (1 Thess 5:19–21)

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. (1 Cor 14:29)

Sunday mornings at the prophecy microphone. A vivid example for me personally.

Glenda Arnold, July 19, 2015 – Felt impressed to read four Scriptural truths for someone:

• I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
• But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Cor 12:9)
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
• And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)

Alan Smith, that same Sunday — God doesn’t say, “You are not a sinner.” He says, “I have taken away your sin.” And then he sends us out in mission:

• In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” 8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isa 6:1–8)

C. Teaching

“To interpret, explain, and apply the Word of God.” — John McLeod yesterday

D. Exhorts

Romans 12:8 speaks of “the one who exhorts” (parakaleō).

Diverse word that can mean “call for help” (Matt 26:53), “comfort, encourage, cheer up” (1 Thess 3:7) but also “request, implore, entreat” (Acts 21:12)

E. Word of Wisdom and Word of Knowledge

These are the two that had the most diverse definitions by different authors.

• 1 Cor 1–2 (1:17; 2:4, 13) Paul said he didn’t come with “words of eloquent wisdom” or human wisdom but with words taught by the Holy Spirit. Some authors see in these references a definition for “word of wisdom.” Gordon Fee, “Supernatural ability to proclaim the Lordship of Christ” (The First Epistle to the Corinthians, NICNT, 591–592).
• Carson says “wisdom” and “knowledge” get used in such similar ways in the NT that you can’t really distinguish them (Showing the Spirit, 38).
• Grudem sees them more like “inspired common sense”: “The word of wisdom simply means the ability to speak a wise word in various situations, and word of knowledge is the ability to speak with knowledge about a situation” (Systematic Theology, 1994, 1080).
• Rodman Williams: Word of wisdom is “speaking forth of a revealing word that centers in Jesus Christ” (Renewal Theology, Vol 3, 352), though not at all adding anything to Scripture. “A word of knowledge is essentially an inspired word of teaching or instruction that occurs within the context of the gathered community” (356). He finds a parallel in Rom 15:14, “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.”
• Dennis & Rita Bennett: “The word of knowledge…is the supernatural revelation of facts past, present, or future that were not learned through the efforts of the natural mind…. The word of wisdom is the supernatural application of knowledge. It is knowing what to do with the natural or supernatural knowledge God has given you—proper judgment for action. The ‘word of knowledge’ is supernaturally revealed information, but the ‘word of wisdom’ tells how to apply the information” (The Holy Spirit & You, 159).

Testimony from Vicki Violette:

Back when we lived in PA and attending Covenant Fellowship,  I felt impressed by the Lord to call my friend Robyn and tell her this one word, "Grace".   It was such a clear and vivid command that I did call and tell her.  There was silence on the other end and at first I thought she must think I am crazy.  Then, as she began to speak, I realized she was crying.   She told me, "I have been trying to quit smoking with no success so this morning I prayed and asked God what will it take for me to quit, embarrassment when people find out I smoke or Your grace?" (Email, March 23, 2022)

F. Tongues and Interpretation

“Various kinds of tongues…interpretation of tongues” (1 Cor 12:10)

When this gift is first given at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–11), the explanation for it is Joel 2:28–32 (Acts 2:17–21). “Tongues” here is seen as fulfillment of God enabling “all flesh” to prophesy. God is speaking, and he uses a variety of methods to do that.

Gordon Fee’s excellent summary of this gift (God’s Empowering Presence, 172–173): (1) It is Spirit-inspired speech (12:7, 11; 14:2); (2) The speaker is not in ecstasy or out of control (14:27-28); (3) It is speech that is “essentially unintelligible both to the speaker (14:14) and to other hearers (14:16). Whether the language is an actual earthly language or not is irrelevant, even though it’s possible that it is. The key point is that it is unknown to the speaker and the hearers. Since interpretation is a supernatural gift, the interpreter is not one who knows a foreign language but one who is given the supernatural ability to interpret this tongue at this moment; (4) It is speech directed toward God (14:2, 14-15, 28).

My own journey with tongues.

Private use and public use.

V. Serving Gifts

Gifts included here:

• “Serves” (diakoneō, 1 Peter 4:11); “Service” (diakonia, Rom 12:7)
• “Contributes/Gives” (Rom 12:8)
• “Acts of mercy” (Rom 12:8)
• “Helping” (1 Cor 12:28)

A. “Serves” (diakoneō, 1 Peter 4:11); “Service” (diakonia, Rom 12:7); “Deacon” (diakonos, 1 Tim 3:8–13; cf. Acts 6:1–6).

In this gift we imitate the Savior himself:

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Serving is in some way to offer ourselves for the good of others, giving whatever help is needed in the moment.

B. “Contributes/Gives” (Rom 12:8)

Now the giving is more tangible—money or physical items.

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36–37)

C. “Acts of mercy” (Rom 12:8)

It is some expression of kindness that recognizes the need and weakness of another. Same verb is in Jude 1:22:

And have mercy on those who doubt. (Jude 1:22)

D. “Helping” (1 Cor 12:28)

“In the LXX…it functions as a verbal noun meaning to help, assist, or aid someone…. Perhaps it is similar to the final three items in the list of charismata in Rom 12:8 (giving, caring for others, doing acts of mercy). In any case it implies that some minister to the physical and spiritual needs of others in the community” (Gordon Fee, God’s Empowering Presence, 193).

VI. Power Gifts

Gifts included here:

• “Faith” (1 Cor 12:9)
• “Gifts of healing” (1 Cor 12:9, 28)
• “Working of miracles” (1 Cor 12:10, 28)
• “Distinguish between spirits” (1 Cor 12:10)

A. “Faith” (1 Cor 12:9)

The gift of faith is that mysterious surge of confidence that rises within a person in a particular situation of need or challenge and which gives an extraordinary certainty and assurance that God is about to act through a word or an action.
Sam Storms, The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts[2]

Gordon Fee and D.A. Carson call it the “faith to move mountains” and not simply saving faith.[3]

B. “Gifts of healing” (1 Cor 12:9, 28)

Sam Storms provides an excellent look at what he calls “five levels” of faith[4]:

Sam Storms 5 Levels of Faith

(1) “Faith that God is your sole source for blessing.”

(2) “Faith in God’s ability to heal.”

(3) “Faith in God’s heart for healing.”

(4) “Faith not simply that God can heal, not simply that God delights to heal, but faith that God does heal.”

(5) “The faith that it is his will to heal right now.”

Carson: The plural of the words (“gifts of healings”) “suggests that there were different gifts of healings: not everyone was getting healed by one person, and perhaps certain persons with one of these gifts of healing could by the Lord’s grace heal certain diseases or heal a variety of diseases but only at certain times” (39).

See John Piper’s recent post: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-should-we-make-of-healing-ministries.

C. “Working of miracles” (1 Cor 12:10, 28)

Or, “the workings of powers” (energēmata dunameōn)

Here we need to let the Bible provide the examples and faith we need to step out and pray for dramatic things. This is the age of “signs and wonders” (Acts 2:19).

• God creates from nothing
• Raising the dead
• Blind healed
• Enemies of God struck dead
• Days can be extended as needed

That’s why the early church prayed:

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29–30)

It’s true that miracles in the early church confirmed their witness about Christ (Heb 2:4), and it’s also true that miracles are one of the “signs of a true apostle” Paul highlights in 2 Cor 12:12.

Yet, important as these two purposes are, it would be very wrong to deduce from this that these two narrow purposes are the only purposes for miracles in the New Testament. They are much more often a sign of God’s presence and power in general than of these two limited ideas.

D. “Distinguish between spirits” (1 Cor 12:10)

1. Rodman Williams talks about distinguishing between three kinds of spirits as part of this gifting: angelic, demonic, human.[5]

This can be discerning spiritual activity in a person, a group, or in some phenomenon that is unnatural in some manner.

The two sides of the cliff we fall off: (1) Everything is a demon and (2) nothing is a demon.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Pet 5:8)

VII. People Gifts

By that I mean gifts of people. It’s not the gift of “teaching” but a person identified as a “teacher” that we’re talking about.

Gifts included here:

• “Leading” (Rom 12:8)/“Administrating” (1 Cor 12:28)
• “Apostle” (Eph 4:11)
• “Prophet” (Eph 4:11)
• “Evangelist” (Eph 4:11)
• “Shepherd and Teacher” (Eph 4:11)
• “Teacher” (1 Cor 12:7)
• “Deacons” (1 Tim 3:8–13; Acts 6:1–6)

A. “Leading” (Rom 12:8)/“Administrating” (1 Cor 12:28)

Fee says that “administration” (1 Cor 12:28) conjures up the wrong idea here and makes it too practical.[6] Louw&Nida define it as “guidance, leadership.” BDAG says “the plural indicates varieties of such leading positions in the ecclesial body of Christ.”

In other words, this idea could capture a whole range of leadership positions in a church from leading a Bible study to leading the church itself.

B. “Apostle” (Eph 4:11)

The NT presents an array of kinds of apostles including the Twelve, Paul, James, Silas, Barnabas, Titus.

Those appointed by Jesus personally, the Twelve, served uniquely as eyewitnesses of the resurrection.

But as the church developed, the role became about church planting and development (Titus, Timothy, Silvanus/Silas).

A few apostles wrote Scripture (Matthew, John, Paul, Peter, James), but there were also non-apostles who wrote Scripture (Mark, Luke, Jude, author of Hebrews).

Some deny that the “office of apostle” is for today, though most accept that some kind of “gift of apostle” remains. When you see men gifted to lead large organizations and groups of churches, you’re seeing some kind of apostolic gifting at work.

C. “Prophet” (Eph 4:11)

Some are called “prophets” in the NT (Acts 11:27; 13:1; 15:32; 21:9–10).

Like with these other “people gifts,” i.e., gifts of people, the name of the gift reveals what spiritual gift seems to be pronounced, regular, more commonly expressed by this individual.

I might prophesy, but you might call Mike Noel a “prophet.”

This same holds true for “evangelist.”

Some look at Eph 4:11–12 as men who possess distinct equipping ministries, and the passage does point in that direction:

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. (Eph 4:11–12)

But all the spiritual gifts in some ways equip the church for ministry, so this doesn’t need to be interpreted in an overly narrow manner. E.g., someone is only an Eph 4:11 “prophet” if they’re also building a ministry equipping others to prophsey.

D. “Evangelist” (Eph 4:11)

Evangelism is a call for all of us (Matt 28:19–20), but it’s also a gifting for some. Someone gifted in this way will be marked by several things:

• Boldness
• Winsomeness
• Clarity
• Effectiveness

E. “Shepherd and Teacher” (Eph 4:11)

“Shepherd” and “pastor” are from the same Greek word. The ESV has used “shepherd” here and in places like 1 Peter 5:1–4. A NT “shepherd” is the same person as a NT “elder” or “overseer.”

In the Greek of Eph 4:11, “shepherd” and “teacher” are tied together. What this tells us is that all elders are teachers in some way. Yet, places like 1 Cor 12:7 remind us that not all teachers are elders.

F. “Teacher” (1 Cor 12:7)

We looked at “teaching” above from Rom 12:8. A “teacher” is someone with the gift of teaching. Insightful, I know.

This title also reminds us, though, that a healthy church will always have people (men and women) who are given to the diligence and study required to teach God’s people effectively.

G. “Deacons” (1 Tim 3:8–13; Acts 6:1–6)

As we saw above, the office of “deacon” is closely tied to the gift of “serving.” The Greek words for serve, ministry/service, and deacon are all the same.

A man called to the office of deacon, then, is someone entrusted with a particular area of service.

Acts 6:1–6 allows us to see this in action in the early church. Where the apostles were called to the ministry (diakonia) of the word of God and prayer, the deacons in this situation were called to the ministry (diakonia) of feeding the Hellenist widows.

VIII. The Purpose of the Gifts

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Cor 12:7)

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet 4:10–11)

Conclusion: Now What?

Self-Assessment: Do you have any hesitations about stepping out in any of the NT spiritual gifts? Why is that?

Self-Assessment: What are the things you do in your Christian life where others tend to be blessed and really grateful when you do it?

Application: Pray to the loving and generous Giver of all gifts. See the need, and meet it. Discern the moment, and do it.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. (Eph 5:18)

 

[1] Grudem, Systematic Theology, 1293.

[2] Sam Storms, The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts, 55.

[3] Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians, NICNT; D.A. Carson, Showing the Spirit, 39.

[4] Sam Storms, The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts, 56–58.

[5] J. Rodman Williams, Renewal Theology, Vol 3, 388–394.

[6] Fee, God’s Empowering Presence, 193.