What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 12:8? To one there is given • God personally chooses which believer receives each spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:11: “the Spirit apportions them to each one as He determines”). • Our abilities are therefore gifts, not achievements—echoed in Romans 12:6 (BSB: “We have different gifts according to the grace given us”). • Because the giving is individual, no single member of the church is self-sufficient; we are designed to rely on one another (1 Corinthians 12:21-22). through the Spirit • The Holy Spirit is the sole channel; the gift is supernatural, not merely the product of personality or education (Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit”). • Jesus promised this empowering in John 14:26, and Acts 2:4 shows it beginning at Pentecost. • Every exercise of a true gift will align with the Spirit’s character and Scripture’s authority (John 16:13). the message of wisdom • This gift supplies Spirit-breathed insight to apply biblical truth to real-time situations—rendering godly counsel that builds up the body (James 1:5; Proverbs 2:6). • It often answers the question, “What should we do?” and can bring clarity in crises (Acts 6:3-10, where Stephen’s wisdom was irresistible). • It is rooted in Christ Himself, “who became for us wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30). to another • Spiritual gifts are intentionally diverse; God spreads them throughout the congregation so no one can boast or dominate (1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12:14-20). • This phrase reminds us to celebrate the differing ministries of others rather than compare or compete (Galatians 6:4). the message of knowledge • Where the word of wisdom focuses on practical application, the word of knowledge conveys Spirit-given understanding of facts, doctrines, or hidden matters (Colossians 2:2-3). • It often answers the question, “What is true?” aiding sound teaching and protecting the church from error (2 Timothy 2:15). • Like wisdom, this knowledge is Christ-centered and Scripture-saturated (Proverbs 1:7; John 5:39). by the same Spirit • Both gifts—though distinct—share one Source, keeping unity at the forefront (Ephesians 4:3-4: “one Spirit”). • This equality of source eliminates hierarchy among gifts; each is measured by faithfulness, not flashiness (1 Corinthians 12:4-6). • Recognizing the shared origin encourages cooperation and mutual honor within the body (Romans 12:10). summary 1 Corinthians 12:8 teaches that the Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes specific verbal gifts—the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge—to individual believers. Wisdom equips the church with Spirit-guided counsel for godly living, while knowledge supplies Spirit-revealed understanding of divine truth. Both flow from the same Spirit, fostering unity and interdependence in Christ’s body and directing all glory to God alone. |
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