1 Corinthians 12:4

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

Now {G1161} there are {G1526} diversities {G1243} of gifts {G5486}, but {G1161} the same {G846} Spirit {G4151}.

Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.

There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

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

1 Corinthians 12:4 introduces the profound truth about the nature of spiritual gifts within the Christian community. In this verse, the Apostle Paul begins his detailed instruction to the Corinthian church concerning the operation and purpose of the Holy Spirit's endowments, emphasizing both variety and unity.

Context

This verse opens a crucial section (1 Corinthians 12-14) where Paul addresses significant issues within the Corinthian church regarding spiritual gifts. The Corinthians were experiencing divisions, pride, and misunderstanding about these supernatural abilities, potentially elevating some gifts over others. Paul's discourse aims to correct these misconceptions, promote unity, and ensure that all gifts are exercised for the common good and the edification of the body of Christ. He starts by establishing the ultimate source of all gifts.

Key Themes

  • Diversity of Gifts: The term "diversities" (Greek: diairesis) highlights that there are many different kinds of spiritual gifts, not just one or a few. These include prophecy, teaching, healing, speaking in tongues, interpretation, wisdom, knowledge, and more, as further detailed in the chapter.
  • Unity of Source: Despite the vast array of gifts, Paul emphatically states, "but the same Spirit." This underscores that the Holy Spirit is the singular divine source and distributor of all these gifts, ensuring a fundamental unity beneath the outward variety. This concept is crucial for understanding the unity of the body of Christ, where each member plays a vital, Spirit-empowered role.
  • Divine Empowerment: The gifts are not natural talents or human achievements but supernatural empowerments by the Holy Spirit, given for specific purposes within the church.

Linguistic Insights

The key word for "gifts" here is charismata (Greek: χαρίσματα), which literally means "grace-gifts." This term emphasizes that these abilities are not earned but are freely given by God's grace (charis). The word "diversities" (diairesis) implies a distribution or apportionment, suggesting that the Spirit sovereignly distributes these gifts as He wills, not according to human merit or desire.

Related Scriptures

  • For a broader list of spiritual gifts and their purpose, see Romans 12:6-8 and Ephesians 4:11-12.
  • Paul continues to elaborate on the Holy Spirit's role in distributing these gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:11.
  • The overarching principle governing the use of all spiritual gifts is love, as eloquently described in 1 Corinthians 13.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 12:4 serves as a foundational reminder that all genuine spiritual gifts originate from the same Holy Spirit. This understanding should:

  1. Foster Unity: It discourages pride in one's own gift and envy of another's, as all gifts flow from the same divine source.
  2. Encourage Discovery: Believers should seek to understand their own spiritual gifts and how they can be used to serve the church and glorify God.
  3. Promote Appreciation: It encourages appreciation for the diverse contributions of others within the Christian community, recognizing that each gift is essential for the healthy functioning of the body of Christ.
This verse calls us to embrace the rich variety of God's workings while holding fast to the unifying presence of the Holy Spirit.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Peter 4:10

    As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:28

    And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:8

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

  • 1 Corinthians 12:11

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

  • Hebrews 2:4

    God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

  • Romans 12:4

    For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

  • Romans 12:6

    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;
← Back