“But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.”

Spiritual gifts are “for the common good,” not for individual self-benefit. This is a crucial distinction in light of popular misconceptions about some spiritual gifts, for example, tongues being given for private use. As with so many other abuses, the Corinthians had taken things designed for building up others and used them for self-benefit.

As most Christians are aware, the Holy Spirit’s manifestation through the spiritual gifts has been debated among different denominational groups and persuasions. Actually, various lists occur in Scripture (see later in this chapter 1 Cor. 12:28–31, as well as Eph. 4:12, Rom. 12:6–8 and 1 Peter 4:10–11). Paul’s aim here, having emphasized that the spiritual gifts are to support the unity of believers, is now to affirm the diversity of the gifts.

This particular list includes the so-called miraculous gifts, although that is a misnomer because all spiritual gifts are miraculous, since they are the operation of a supernatural God working in His people. However, virtually all of these can be faked or mimicked and become, in other words, the work of the flesh. Much today is a poor imitation of God’s work.

We would desire that all of these would be in use today. But keep in mind that most of the NT had not been written down yet in the time of the Corinthians, so they had only the oral teachings of the apostle Paul. Up until this letter, the Corinthians had nothing in writing that they could go back to again and again to study. So God gave some believers wisdom and knowledge, supernaturally endowed. To others He gave the miraculous ability to speak languages (a very useful gift for those living in a sea port town with merchants and travelers from all over the world coming through).

As for healings, we wish these were much more prevalent today so that all Christians would be healed (not the psychosomatic kind, but genuine, ear-cutoff-and-restored kind of healings). But God was working in a special way in those days, “…  testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will” (Heb. 2:4).

Lord, help me rightly understand Your special gifting and not settle for the fake.