Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 12:8-11
“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.”
The Authentic Nature of the Temporary Gifts and of the Permanent Gifts
a) Temporary gifts = signs to authenticate and confirm the Word of God, for the apostolic age, until the Word was complete.
i) miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues
b) Permanent gifts = to edify the church, until He comes again
i) speaking gifts: prophesy, knowledge, wisdom, teaching, exhortation
ii) serving gifts: leadership, helps, giving, mercy, faith, discernment
c) The varieties of gifts mentioned in this text, and the ones elsewhere in Scripture (cf . 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:11) are not exhaustive, but representative. Therefore, they should be understood as illustrative of the nature of the gifts.
The Authentic Word of Wisdom and of Knowledge — verse 8
“For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit…”
These two gifts are linked by the way they are exercised, namely through words, or utterance.
a) utterance = λόγος logos = reasoning, cause, communication regarding doctrine, preaching, utterance, word
b) wisdom = σοφία sophia 51x wisdom in general, knowledge, practical wisdom, prudence, learning, science, enlightenment
– wisdom is the ability to understand God’s Word and His will and to apply it to life; truth discovered, explained, lived
– exercised in ministries of preaching, teaching, evangelism, counseling, mentoring, discipleship, scholarship, pastoral care and oversight, family and parenting, prayer, in relationships at work… Can you think of others? Leave a comment below if you do!
c) knowledge = γνῶσις gnōsis = knowledge of a special kind and of relatively high character, more particularly in respect of Christian enlightenment; perception and understanding of the truths of God’s Word; communication of the insights into the mysteries of God’s revelation, as enlightened by the Holy Spirit; special ability of understanding of the texts of Scripture to help others understand them.
– exercised in ministries of preaching, teaching, counseling, leadership
– caution: the man or woman of God who is given the utterance of wisdom and/or of knowledge, must take to heart the admonition of the apostle John in Revelation 22:18-21 :
“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen”
Yes, indeed! Come, Lord Jesus!
Don's notes 