In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul names several gifts that the Spirit gives to believers: the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge, gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, the discernment of spirits, tongues and their interpretation. Paul also speaks of teaching. This course holds that God still gives these gifts today, because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Gifts of speech
Prophecy, for this course, means saying something that God has spontaneously brought to our mind. It brings “strengthening, encouraging and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3), and it must be weighed by the church.
Teaching is different: it repeats and explains what we have received, bringing out its meaning, its context and its applications. It is passed on from one generation to the next (2 Timothy 2:2).
Tongues are speech addressed to God: “anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God” (1 Corinthians 14:2). Interpretation therefore translates what is being said to God. If a so-called interpretation speaks directly to people, it is not an interpretation.
The word of wisdom and the word of knowledge are not explained anywhere else in the Bible. They are generally understood as a particular revelation from the Spirit, which does not depend on our human learning.
Gifts of power
Miracles translates the Greek word dunamis, “power”. It does not only mean healings, but any display of God’s power: a rescue (Acts 12:6-11), protection (Acts 28:3-6) or a victory over demons (Acts 16:18).
Healings concern both body and mind. Paul is probably thinking of the fact that some people see more healings than others when they pray.
The discernment of spirits makes it possible to recognise whether someone is acting under the influence of God’s Spirit or of an evil spirit. It is not acquired by study, and it is precious for the church: “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
Not a closed list
Paul is not trying to draw up a complete inventory. In 1 Corinthians 12, he is mainly teaching the unity of the church and the usefulness of each of its members. It would therefore be risky to build a rigid system on this one chapter. Instead, the course invites us to look at what Jesus and the apostles actually practised.
God can still speak through people. To those who ask him, he gives the ability to heal the sick, to teach, to accomplish what is beyond their strength, to praise him in an unknown language. He also gives the wisdom needed and helps us discern what comes from him. Every gift is given to serve others.