Chapter twelve continues the theme of orderly worship by instructing the church regarding spiritual gifts. The topic of spiritual gifts is one of contention in the modern church. Some denominations relegate their use to the time of the early church and deny their modern practice. Others exercise them without discipline causing confusion and disorder. And still others create new gifts to build themselves up or possibly to seek a mystical experience through the use of “prayer languages” and “holy laughter.” There need not be such divisions as Paul clearly defines the role of spiritual gifts over the next three chapters.

Within these first eleven verses are several notable truths. In this paragraph Paul keeps the truths of unity (in who we worship) and diversity (in how we worship) in constant tension. For as a church sacrifices diversity for the sake of unity it by default also sacrifices strength and interest. Further, sacrificing unity for diversity by default sacrifices direction. Paul strongly emphasizes these truths and the important tension between them in Ephesians 4 as well.

The next noteworthy truth is that spiritual gifts are given to followers of Christ (12.1-.3). While God may work in all men (12.6), the spiritual gifts are for those who have yielded to the Holy Spirit and are for the common good (12.4-.7). He then lists several spiritual gifts (12.8-.11). This is not a definitive list, as there are some gifts mentioned in other writings of Paul that do not make this list. This list is probably regarding the gifts evidenced at the Corinthian church. While they did not have all of the gifts represented in their congregation, the list is an impressive one. These were a very gifted people. The modern church should acknowledge that having many gifts does not exempt them from also being great in sin and division, even as the church of Corinth was.

The fourth truth, a definition of “spiritual gifts,” must be excavated from the text itself. First, we discern from this passage and from Ephesians 4.11-.13, Romans 12.4-.8, Hebrews 2.3-.4, 1 Peter 4.10 that a spiritual gift is “a God-given ability for service.” The Greek word for spiritual gift is carisma (charisma, where the term “charismatic” came from). The root of this word, cari", is the Greek word for “grace,” which tells us something about the nature of these gifts. They are given by the grace of God, and should be used with grace and not for building up one’s self-importance or self-esteem. The word ability could be a synonym for gift in this definition. The important parts of the definition are that the gift/ability is God-given, and that they are to be used in serving the body of Christ. Though there is a close analogy between gifts and talents (both are God-given, 1 Corinthians 4.7) talents may or may not be used in serving the body.

It is helpful to define the active gifts to the believer this way:

• Natural Abilities: God-given at birth, they include such things as I.Q., a measure of health and strength, musical talents, linguistic abilities, mechanical aptitudes, etc.

• Acquired Abilities: These include such skills as cooking, sewing, driving a car, learning a language, learning to play an instrument, etc. While we may take such abilities for granted, remember that many people in the world have few opportunities to acquire skills such as these.

• Spiritual Gifts: Every believer ought to take an inventory of the gifts he has now, so that he might know better where and when to employ them. Going through this inventory could point the believer in a particular ministry direction.

Thus a spiritual gift is a God-given ability to serve the body of Christ wherever and however He directs.