Diversities of Gifts 1 Corinthians 12:4

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost”. In chapter twelve and verse four of First Corinthians, Paul shared with the Corinthian church members about, “diversities of gifts”, where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Now there are diversities of gifts, ...”. Paul began with the word, “now” which means “moreover and” “there are diversities” which means “there exists distinctions and distributions” “of gifts” which means “divine favor which denotes extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ with the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit”. Paul declared there to be “distinctions” as well as “distributions” of “spiritual gifts”.

The verse goes on to say, “... but the same Spirit.” Paul continued with the word, “but” which means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “the same” or “the identical and selfsame” “Spirit” which means “third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit who is coequal and coeternal with the Father and the Son”. Although there are “different distributions and distinctions” of “spiritual gifts”, there is only “One Holy Spirit” that provides them.

When we think through these words from Paul, we note his instruction concerning the “distinctions and distributions” of the “spiritual gifts” from God. The “Holy Spirit of God” possesses all the “gifts”, and He gives them to whomever He desires whenever He decides. Jesus Christ said, “when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit distributes “spiritual gifts” to build up those who are in the church, and we should rejoice in the “diversities of gifts” and the Holy Spirit who distributes them.

Next time Paul shares how the church member there are, “differences of administrations, but the same Lord.”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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