By Nab B.
September 3, 2022
Updated Oct, 2025
No one returns a gift! When we receive a gift, we do as we wish with it: use it, trash it, sell it, or whatever.
I say this because the word "gift", as in "gifts of the Spirit," might give the impression that if Jesus gives gifts, we are free to do with them as we like.
Not so with the "gifts of the Spirit!" There is more to it. Please, keep reading...
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy...or ministry...or he that teacheth...or he that exhorteth...he that giveth...ruleth...he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
(Romans 12:6-8)
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“He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
(Eph 4:11-13)
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"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of workings, but the same God is working all things in everyone.
Now to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit, for the common profiting. For truly, to one is given a word of wisdom...to another a word of knowledge...and to a different one faith...to another gifts of healing...to another working of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another distinguishing of spirits, and to a different one various kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. Now one and the same the Spirit works all these things, apportioning individually to each as He wills..”
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 BLB)
The word "gift" used in the above passages is "charisma" in Greek. Here's one lexicon definition of it,
"Cognate: 5486 xárisma is a noun that means a grace-endowment to edify the Church. (Source https://biblehub.com/greek/5486.htm)
Its verb form is "charizomai," which means to freely forgive, deliver, or grant. Source: https://biblehub.com/greek/5483.htm)
What is the point of this?
The point is, these "gifts of the spirit" are not like gifts we give to one another. There are similarities and differences. Similar because they are free and generous. Different because they are grace-endowments, grants expected to be used, utilized to "edify" the "body of Christ." These "gifts" pair well with one's yearnings and character. They are not to be stowed away or exploited by selfish wish or whim.
Knowing this, one treasures these "gifts" whether endowed to us or to others. For they are not simply our achievements, but Christ's, who works through the whole "body."
Christ imparts these various "spiritual gifts" to "perfect the saints," "edify the body," and for the "unity of faith." They are not given to impress others, but to achieve "The fullness of Christ," and be "Conformed to the image of His Son." (See Romans 8:29)
"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph 4:12-13)
Surely, these gifts could fill pages, but I compiled a brief list of them based on the three scriptural passages above. These "spiritual gifts" prove that the Spirit of Christ is actively present among his churches, "The words of him...who walks among the seven golden lampstands." (Rev 2:1 ESV)
Prophesying is “speaking forth” or "forth-telling". It is not limited to foretelling the future as you might think! Check the core meaning below:
"Prophet," which is derived from 4253 /pró, "before" and 5346 /phēmí, "make clear, assert as a priority") – properly, what is clarified beforehand; prophecy which involves divinely-empowered forth-telling (asserting the mind of God) or foretelling (prediction).
Prophesying is a “discourse declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden.”
(source: https://biblehub.com/greek/4394.htm)
So, a believer with the gift of "prophecy" does not necessarily "foretell" the future, but is endowed or granted to declare and communicate the will of God by revelation to build, reprove, and admonish others.
(Gk., diakonian, service). A "Deacon" is a 'servant.' It is not a "title" as practiced in some churches. It simply describes one with a "spiritual gift" who is compassionate in helping others in need. Such ‘servants’ are keen to spot those in trouble and take great initiative to comfort others.
This is a "spiritual gift" to those who accurately transmit Christ's teachings. Unlike false teachers, gifted teachers are "accurately handling the word of truth." (2 Tim 2:15 BLB)
One who has an exhorting "gift" goes beyond a simple attempt to encourage others. The original Greek word reveals a deeper perspective.
Exhort is "parakaleó" in Greek. It is closely connected to the same word used for the "comforter," the "paraklétos," that Jesus promised to send. This is reasonable since the source of the "gift" is the Spirit itself. (Study Source: https://biblehub.com/greek/3870.htm)
A believer with the "spiritual gift of exhorting" is one
who is called to one's side, strengthen the weak, and comfort the depressed, helps the sick and stands by the persecuted.
An "evangelist" is a declarer of good tidings. Though all believers are called to preach, one with the "gift" to "preach" feels his or her "vocation to declare Christ and his gospel with complete boldness.
An apostle is one "sent forth". Apostleship is a special "gift" that designates one as a "messenger" to build ecclesias. False apostles lusted for this special gift. Of them, Jesus said, "Those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false." (Rev 2:2 ESV)
A true "shepherd" is one who deeply cares for the flock, boldly protecting them from spiritual predators and false teachers.
"Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness." (1 Pet 5:2 ESV)
A "gift" for those who give willingly and cheerfully, sharing their belongings (money, time, attention). They are extraordinarily moved by the Spirit to the material and spiritual needs of others.
A gift in welcoming and appreciating others.
A gift in ‘guiding’ others lovingly and setting a good example in tireless caring for the body.
"To lead" is proístēmi in Greek. It means "pre-standing," referring to a pre-set (well-established) character which provides the needed model to direct others, i.e. to positively impact them by example. (source study: https://biblehub.com/greek/4291.htm)
A "gift" in understanding, speaking, and applying scriptural truth. Rather than impress, it imparts godly wisdom in diverse situations for a group of believers according to needs.
A "gift" in experiential knowledge that can help others in practical ways to know God and Christ through experience.
Knowledge is gnṓsis (derived from 1097 /ginṓskō, "experientially know") – functional knowledge gleaned from first-hand (personal) experience, connecting theory to application; "application-knowledge," gained in (by) a direct relationship.
(study source: https://biblehub.com/greek/1108.htm)
This gift is given to all. It’s one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). When offered as a ‘gift’, the person can exhibit an unshakable trust in God and Christ. His faith has a strengthening effect on other believers.
Most healing is performed to bring glory to God and to spread the gospel. It’s used for personal gain. Jesus refused to perform a miracle when he was very hungry.
This rare "spiritual gift" is solely exercised for the glory of God and the spread of the gospel. False teachers and leaders can exploit it by offering false signs and wonders to deceive church members.
A gift in detecting deception and errors in doctrines and false teachers. This gift is necessary to protect other members. To show the need for such a gift is seen from John's advice, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1 BLB)
The need for tongues (languages) was significant in the early days of the church. It enables many to speak unknown human languages to declare Christ and the gospel to all nations. This "gift" often demonstrates the power of God to those on the receiving end.
A "gift" in interpreting an unknown language. An interpreter was able to translate the messages of another member for all to benefit.
The spirit of Christ is the one that endows believers with these gifts as it wills, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." (1 Cor 12:11 NKJV)
The "gift" one has works in unity with another believer's gift for one purpose—"building up of the whole body of Christ." (Eph 4:12)
