1 Corinthians 12:9

KJV

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} To another {G2087} faith {G4102} by {G1722} the same {G846} Spirit {G4151};{G1161} to another {G243} the gifts {G5486} of healing {G2386} by {G1722} the same {G846} Spirit {G4151};

Complete Jewish Bible

to another, faith, by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing, by the one Spirit;

Berean Standard Bible

to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,

American Standard Version

to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 12:9 details two specific manifestations of the Holy Spirit's power distributed among believers: a supernatural gift of faith and the gifts of healing. Paul emphasizes that these diverse spiritual endowments, like all others, originate from the same divine Spirit, highlighting both the unity of God's work and the variety of His operations within the church. These gifts are not earned human abilities but sovereignly given empowerments intended for the common good and the building up of the body of Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Paul's extensive discourse on spiritual gifts in [1 Corinthians 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ") through [1 Corinthians 14](/1_corinthians/14 "1 Corinthians 14 - Order in Worship"). Specifically, [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity of Spirit") lists nine distinct manifestations of the Spirit, illustrating the diverse ways God works through His people. Paul begins this section by establishing that there are "varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 12:4](/1_corinthians/12-4 "1 Corinthians 12:4 - Diversity of Gifts")), "varieties of ministries, but the same Lord" ([1 Corinthians 12:5](/1_corinthians/12-5 "1 Corinthians 12:5 - Diversity of Ministries")), and "varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons" ([1 Corinthians 12:6](/1_corinthians/12-6 "1 Corinthians 12:6 - Diversity of Effects")). The overarching purpose of these gifts is explicitly stated in [1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Gifts for the Common Good"): "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." Verse 9 then provides two concrete examples within this larger enumeration, underscoring the practical outworking of the Spirit's power.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The church in Corinth was a vibrant but problematic community. Located in a major Roman port city, Corinth was a melting pot of cultures, religions, and philosophical ideas, including various mystery cults and pagan practices that often involved ecstatic experiences. This environment likely contributed to the Corinthians' misunderstanding and potential misuse of spiritual gifts, particularly glossolalia (speaking in tongues), which they seemed to prioritize. Paul's letter addresses issues of division, immorality, and doctrinal confusion, including a lack of order in worship and an overemphasis on certain gifts over others. The Corinthians may have been valuing more outwardly spectacular gifts while neglecting the essential unity and purpose of the Spirit's work. Paul's teaching aims to correct these imbalances, emphasizing that all gifts, whether seemingly mundane or miraculous, are equally valuable and necessary for the holistic functioning of the church, much like different parts of a human body ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")).

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme in [1 Corinthians 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts") is the **unity and diversity of spiritual gifts**. Paul consistently reiterates that while there are many different manifestations, ministries, and effects, they all stem from the **one Holy Spirit, one Lord, and one God**. This combats any notion of superiority among gifts or division among recipients. Another crucial theme is the **purpose of spiritual gifts: the common good** ([1 Corinthians 12:7](/1_corinthians/12-7 "1 Corinthians 12:7 - Gifts for the Common Good")). Gifts are not for personal aggrandizement or individual display but for the edification and strengthening of the entire community. The concept of the **church as the "body of Christ"** is also central, with each member and gift functioning as a vital part of the whole, interdependent and equally necessary ([1 Corinthians 12:12](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12 - The Body is One")). Finally, the chapter implicitly introduces the theme of **love as the "most excellent way"** ([1 Corinthians 12:31](/1_corinthians/12-31 "1 Corinthians 12:31 - Desire the Greater Gifts, and the Most Excellent Way")), which is then fully expounded in [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Way of Love"), indicating that the exercise of gifts must always be governed by selfless love.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** G4102. This is not the general saving faith by which one believes in Christ for salvation, which all believers possess. Rather, in this context, _pístis_ refers to a special, supernatural endowment of conviction or assurance that enables an individual to trust God for the impossible in specific, often challenging, situations. It is a divine persuasion that God will act, even when circumstances seem dire or human effort is insufficient. This gift empowers one to believe for a specific outcome or miracle beyond ordinary human capacity.
* **gifts (Greek, _chárisma'_):** G5486. Derived from _charizomai_ (to give freely, to show favor), this term denotes a "divine gratuity" or "spiritual endowment." It emphasizes that these abilities are not natural talents or acquired skills but are freely given by God's grace (_charis_). The term underscores their supernatural origin and their character as expressions of God's favor and power, distributed according to His will for the benefit of His people.
* **healing (Greek, _íama'_):** G2386. The plural form, _iamaton_ (translated as "gifts of healing"), suggests a variety of ways or manifestations of divine healing. It refers to a "cure" or "the effect" of healing, indicating miraculous interventions by God to restore physical, emotional, or spiritual health. The plurality might imply different types of infirmities healed, different methods of healing, or even different individuals through whom healing occurs, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of God's restorative power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To another faith by the same Spirit;":** This clause introduces the first specific spiritual gift: a supernatural "faith." The phrase "to another" (G2087, _héteros_) signifies a distinct individual receiving this particular manifestation, emphasizing the diversity of recipients. Crucially, "by the same Spirit" (G1722 _en_ G846 _autós_ G4151 _pneûma_) unequivocally attributes the origin and empowerment of this gift to the Holy Spirit, reinforcing the unity of the divine source despite the variety of gifts. This "faith" is not a general belief but a specific, extraordinary conviction for a particular divine intervention.
* **"to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;":** This second clause introduces "the gifts of healing," again distributed "to another" distinct individual. The use of the plural "gifts of healing" (G5486 _chárisma_ G2386 _íama_) suggests that divine healing is not a monolithic ability but may manifest in various forms or for different ailments. Like the gift of faith, these healing abilities are explicitly stated to be "by the same Spirit," reiterating the singular divine source for all spiritual endowments and underscoring that these are supernatural acts of God, not human capabilities.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this verse and the surrounding passage. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the phrase "by the same Spirit," which appears twice in this verse and multiple times throughout [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity of Spirit"). This repetition serves as an emphatic rhetorical device, powerfully reinforcing the central theme of the Holy Spirit's unified source for all diverse gifts, countering any tendency towards division or pride based on gift manifestation. There is also an element of **Enumeration** as Paul lists various gifts, creating a comprehensive, though not exhaustive, catalog of the Spirit's operations. This list, including "faith" and "gifts of healing," highlights the Spirit's multifaceted work. Furthermore, the structure of the verse itself, using "to another... to another...," is a form of **Anaphora** (repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses), which adds rhythm and emphasis to the distinct distribution of gifts among different individuals.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 12:9 deeply articulates the active and diverse work of the Holy Spirit within the church, emphasizing that spiritual gifts are not human achievements but divine empowerments. It underscores God's sovereign distribution of these gifts, highlighting His desire to equip believers for service and to demonstrate His power in the world. The "gift of faith" speaks to a supernatural conviction that enables believers to trust God for extraordinary outcomes, while the "gifts of healing" reveal God's compassionate nature and His power to restore and make whole. Both gifts serve to manifest God's presence and power, building up the body of Christ and testifying to His ongoing work in the world. They remind us that the Christian life is not lived by human strength alone but by the enabling power of the Spirit for God's glory and the common good.

* [Romans 12:6-8](/romans/12-6-8 "Romans 12:6-8 - Diverse Gifts for Service")
* [Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Gifts for Equipping the Saints")
* [Hebrews 2:4](/hebrews/2-4 "Hebrews 2:4 - God Bearing Witness with Signs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 12:9 challenges believers to recognize and value the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in their midst. It encourages us to move beyond a purely rationalistic understanding of faith and to embrace the reality of God's miraculous intervention through His Spirit-empowered people. For those who may feel inadequate or lacking in natural abilities, this verse offers profound encouragement: God does not primarily rely on our inherent talents but on His Spirit working through us. It calls us to cultivate an atmosphere of expectation for God's power, to pray with a supernatural faith for the impossible, and to be available as channels for His healing touch in a broken world. Furthermore, it fosters humility, as the gifts are "by the same Spirit," ensuring that all glory redounds to God, not to the individual. We are prompted to ask how we might better yield to the Spirit's leading, allowing Him to manifest His power through us for the edification of the church and the demonstration of His love to the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the "gift of faith" as distinct from saving faith impact your prayer life and your expectations for God's intervention?**
* **In what ways might the "gifts of healing" manifest today, and how can we, as believers, position ourselves to be used by God in this capacity?**
* **How can our church community better recognize, affirm, and make space for the diverse manifestations of the Holy Spirit, as described in this verse and chapter?**

### FAQ

**What is the difference between "saving faith" and the "gift of faith" mentioned here?**

Answer: While all Christians possess saving faith—the belief and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, as described in passages like [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")—the "gift of faith" in [1 Corinthians 12:9](/1_corinthians/12-9 "1 Corinthians 12:9 - Gift of Faith and Healing") is a distinct, supernatural endowment. It is an extraordinary conviction or assurance given by the Holy Spirit for a specific situation, enabling a believer to trust God for the impossible, often leading to miraculous outcomes. This gift allows a person to believe for a divine intervention that goes beyond what is humanly conceivable, such as moving mountains ([Matthew 17:20](/matthew/17-20 "Matthew 17:20 - Faith as a Mustard Seed")). It's a special, temporary empowerment for a particular purpose, not the foundational faith that defines one's relationship with God.

**Are the "gifts of healing" still active in the church today?**

Answer: The biblical text, particularly [1 Corinthians 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts"), presents spiritual gifts as ongoing manifestations of the Holy Spirit's power for the church's edification and mission. There is no scriptural indication that these gifts, including the "gifts of healing," ceased after the apostolic age. While their frequency and manifestation may vary across different times and contexts, many Christians and denominations believe that the Holy Spirit continues to distribute these gifts as He wills ([1 Corinthians 12:11](/1_corinthians/12-11 "1 Corinthians 12:11 - Spirit Distributes Gifts as He Wills")). Testimonies of divine healing persist globally, affirming God's continued compassion and power to intervene in human suffering. The emphasis remains that these are "gifts" from God, not human abilities, and are for His glory and the common good of the church and the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 12:9 speaks directly to the Spirit's work in believers, its ultimate fulfillment and meaning are deeply rooted in Christ. Jesus Himself was the embodiment of both perfect faith and divine healing. His earthly ministry was replete with demonstrations of supernatural faith, as seen in His unwavering trust in the Father's will, even unto death on the cross. He also consistently exercised the "gifts of healing," restoring sight to the blind ([John 9:1-7](/john/9-1-7 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind")), cleansing lepers ([Luke 17:11-19](/luke/17-11-19 "Luke 17:11-19 - Ten Lepers Cleansed")), and raising the dead ([John 11:38-44](/john/11-38-44 "John 11:38-44 - Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead")), thereby demonstrating the Father's compassion and power. The Holy Spirit, who distributes these gifts to believers, is the Spirit of Christ ([Romans 8:9](/romans/8-9 "Romans 8:9 - Spirit of Christ")), sent to continue the work Jesus began ([John 14:12](/john/14-12 "John 14:12 - Greater Works")). Therefore, when a believer exercises the gift of faith or the gifts of healing, it is not merely a human act but a manifestation of Christ's ongoing ministry through His body, the church. These gifts point back to Him as the ultimate Healer and the object of all saving faith, serving to extend His kingdom and glorify His name until His return ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Be Witnesses")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 5:14

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

James 5:15

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

2 Corinthians 4:13

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Hebrews 11:33

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

1 Corinthians 12:30

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?