Lexical Summary diairesis: Division, Distribution Original Word: διαίρεσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance difference, diversity. From diaireo; a distinction or (concretely) variety -- difference, diversity. see GREEK diaireo HELPS Word-studies 1243 diaíresis (from 1223 /diá, "through, reaching across," intensifying 138 /hairéomai, "making a personal choice") – properly, God's choice to give sovereign endowments of grace to His people so they can reach out ("across") to others, as His hand extended (cf. 1 Jn 4:17). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom diaireó Definition a division NASB Translation varieties (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1243: διαίρεσιςδιαίρεσις, διαιρέσεως, ἡ (διαιρέω, which see); 1. division, distribution, (Herodotus, Xenophon, Plato, others). 2. distinction, difference, (Plato, Sophocles, p. 267 b. τινα διαίρεσιν ἀγνωσιας τέ καί γνώσεως θήσομεν; others); in particular, a distinction arising from a different distribution to different persons, (A. V. diversity): 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, cf. 1 Corinthians 12:11 διαιροῦν ἰδίᾳ ἑκάστῳ καθώς βούλεται. The term appears exclusively in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, where Paul builds a three-part structure: • “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4) Here διαιρέσεις underscores variety—distinct distributions within the unified work of the Trinity and the one body of Christ. Diversity Within Unity Paul’s choice of διαιρέσεις is deliberate. He stresses that spiritual variety originates in the triune God Himself. The Spirit, the Lord (Jesus Christ), and God the Father are each named, yet their operations converge. The church therefore embraces difference without fragmentation. The word carries no hint of rivalry; rather, it celebrates coordinated multiplicity. Trinitarian Framework 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 is one of the clearest Trinitarian passages in Pauline writing. The same term, repeated three times, creates a rhythmic confession: • Gifts—Spirit The sequence reflects both equality and order within the Godhead, safeguarding orthodoxy against subordinationism and modalism alike. The single vocabulary word mirrors the unified essence; the differing spheres point to personal distinctions. Spiritual Gifts and Body Life Because διαιρέσεις denotes “varieties,” the term protects the congregation from uniformity. No believer is expected to replicate another’s calling. Instead, the Spirit “apportions to each one as He determines” (1 Corinthians 12:11). Paul later likens this to organs within a human body (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Diversity, far from threatening fellowship, is indispensable to healthy function. Historical Reception Early church fathers drew on these verses to combat both schism and clerical elitism: • Irenaeus cited the text to argue that prophetic and miraculous gifts remained active wherever the true gospel was preached. Throughout patristic commentary, διαιρέσεις served as a watchword for orthodox inclusivity—many gifts, one faith. Implications for Ministry Today 1. Gift-Based Service Congregations are exhorted to identify and deploy every member’s Spirit-given capacity. Programs built on mere availability or tradition often ignore God’s intentional distributions. 2. Mutual Dependence Because God designs variety, independence is sinfully unnatural. Leaders and laity alike must resist the cult of the “omni-competent” minister. 3. Humble Appreciation Recognition that gifts, ministries, and operations come from a single divine source removes grounds for envy or pride. “He who boasts must boast in the Lord” (2 Corinthians 10:17). 4. Guarding Against Division Paul’s repetition of διαιρέσεις within a unity context rebukes factionalism. When differences in gifting harden into parties, the very point of the word is inverted. Old Testament Echoes While διαιρέσεις is absent from the Septuagint, the concept harkens to: • Exodus 31:3-5, where Bezalel is “filled…with skill” for artistic design. Both passages foreshadow the New Testament principle that one Spirit supplies many operations for covenant service. Warnings and Correctives 1 Corinthians responds to a Corinthian tendency to exalt certain showy gifts. By framing every charisma within διαιρέσεις, Paul relativizes individual importance. Any gift exercised outside love (1 Corinthians 13) or order (1 Corinthians 14) forfeits its edifying purpose. Summary Strong’s Greek 1243 marks the God-ordained varieties that pervade spiritual gifts, ministries, and workings. Far from fostering disunity, these gracious distributions testify to the harmonious diversity of the triune God and call every generation of believers to unified, humble, and interdependent service within the body of Christ. Englishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 12:4 N-NFPGRK: Διαιρέσεις δὲ χαρισμάτων NAS: Now there are varieties of gifts, KJV: there are diversities of gifts, INT: varieties moreover of gifts 1 Corinthians 12:5 N-NFP 1 Corinthians 12:6 N-NFP |
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