Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
There are four main passages in the New Testament in which spiritual gifts are mentioned: Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-31; Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Peter 4:10,11. The lists are somewhat different … they are different in number and different in the gifts listed. That probably means that the lists are not meant to be exhaustive. They are general categories into which specific abilities can be placed. They are general enough that we can find ourselves in one or more of the categories.
We could define a spiritual gift as a God-given ability or capacity, granted for service to Him in the church. A spiritual gift is not a natural ability, like being strong or being smart. These abilities are also God-given, but spiritual gifts are given specifically with a view for ministry to others in the church of God.
The emphasis in our passage is on the diversity of these gifts, on one hand, and the unity of the body of Christ, on the other hand. Paul's metaphor here (1 Cor 12:12), which is one of his favorite images of the church, is to say that the church is like a body. It functions as one unit, but with all kinds of differing parts. And the different functions result not from the differences we have of personality and background and education, but from the different capacities that the Holy Spirit, Himself, has worked in us.
"To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor 12:7). Christ has given each of us a very specific gift and if we are all not using our gifts, then someone in the church is missing the blessing Jesus has intended for us to bring. And if we are not using our gifts, we are missing the wonder and joy and meaning of fulfilling the very task for which we are on this earth … to honor Christ by serving in His kingdom.
