Treasures New and Old
Treasures New and OldExercising Our Spiritual Gift(s) – What about Those Other Gifts?
We have looked at three types or categories of gifts: motivational, administrative, and manifestations. The principle being that the Holy Spirit has given us a gift, Jesus gave us a position (administrative assignment) within the church, and God has assigned the power – the manifestation of that gift.
So let’s look at the gift lists as they are provided in Scripture from a slightly different approach – that of looking more directly as the context found in the verses around those different lists. Comments will be inserted within the text as we progress through it.
Paul starts out reminding them of their origins as related to spiritual gifts . . .
(Remember that this chapter (1 Corinthians 12) addresses the misunderstanding the Corinthians believers are having regarding spiritual gifts. Like today, some are pointing to some members and saying they are not filled with the Spirit – they have no sign gift; and on the other hand, some are pointing to others who seem to have all kinds of sign of visible gifts as possibly false.)
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (bold added): “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
(Paul lets them know that the lost can’t call Jesus Lord, and true believers will not call Jesus accursed. This goes to the heart of what spirit behind the individual is “speaking” – the Holy Spirit, or the lost spirit of man, or even demonic spirits.)
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”
(Paul expresses the roles God has assigned Himself in the assigning of gifts to the body. The Holy Spirit gives the gifts(s), the Lord Jesus assigns the position in the body, and God the Father applies the power of scope of the ministry each person will have.)
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”
- For to one given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another
- the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
- To another faith by the same Spirit, to another
- the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
- To another the working of miracles;
- to another prophecy;
- to another discerning of spirits;
- to another divers kinds of tongues;
- to another the interpretation of tongues:
“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”
(Other than listing several gifts, Paul makes two points: Verse 7 – that these gifts manifest themselves to specifically benefit the body as a whole “to profit withal.” Verse 11 – the Holy Spirit is responsible for handing out the gifts and causing them to be manifested when He wants them to be manifested. I see this as a clear teaching that warns us not to “force” some gift. If John doesn’t speak a word of wisdom but Robert does, that is the business of the Holy Spirit and not those two brothers.)
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
(Paul’s reference to the body and its parts is really clear. We are not all the same and do not all have the same gifts, and we thank God that we do not because what a mess we would be if we were all eyes, ears, or other parts. We would not be a body but a gross mutation.)
“Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
(Paul now addresses those “uncomely parts” – the apparently weak or less desirable members with gifts that don’t seem that important. The Corinthians needed to know that even the quiet sister with a prayer closet ministry – therefore never seen – is just as important as the pastor with a teaching or prophetic gift that is seen by all. Stop looking down at those with “quiet” gifts, and, especially, stop boasting if you have a very visible gift.)
“And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set [appointed tithemi – Strong’s G5087] some in the church,”
- first apostle,
- secondarily prophets,
- thirdly teachers,
- after that miracles,
- then gifts of healings,
- helps,
- government,
- diversities of tongues.
“Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
(Paul gives us another list of gifts that are very visible (no doubt those that were most desired by many) but closes this part of the discussion with “are all XXX?” Of course, the answer is NO! Not only did God provide a wide diversity of gifts to benefit the body, He controls who has them and when they are exercised. But they are specifically appointed for the purpose of edifying the body and building all members up in the most holy faith. We will look at the “more excellent way” in article ten in October.)
1 Peter 4:7-11: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
(I believe we can really relate to this teaching. These are the last of the Last Days, and, like never before, we must watch and be prayerful. Above all, we must watch and be prayerful for each other and to do so in love (charity). A combination of hospitality and forgiveness is needed to keep the unity of the body in the bond of peace. Too much now the world is offended by anything and everything and that ought not to be so in the church.)
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
(We are to be good stewards of what God has given us (more on that in article eight – September). A new gift is mentioned: when a person speaks the oracles of God – the mind of God for that body/day/situation – thus a gift of speaking. And Paul reminds them regarding the gift of ministry – to do so with the ability that he/she has and with an eye to glorify God with their ministry and not to personal gain or glory.)
“Appointed” Gift List in the New Testament
Ephesians 4:11-12 (bold added): “And 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:”
(This list in Ephesians (and 1 Corinthians 12:28) are appointed gifts. That is, tithemi which is a prolonged form from theo (to place – in either a passive or horizontal position (Strong’s G5087)). These positions are specifically provided by God to the body to teach, lead, guide, be example, warn, correct, and shepherd the flock with three goals in mind: Perfect the saints – mature them; expand and carry out the work of the ministry, and edify, buildup, exhort, encourage, satisfy the spiritual needs of believers.)
What is the Difference Between the Fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit?
The gift is what we exercise, the fruit is what grows naturally when we do exercise our gifts. So the gift is the locomotion (if you allow me), and fruit is the result of that locomotion.
Fruit: Karpos: fruit, fruitful, plucked fruit, the result of a maturing fruit bearing plant (Strong’s G2590). “The fruit of thy womb” (Deuteronomy 7:13) means those children who have been born. It is the effect or result of the maturing process.
Gift: Charisma: a divine gratuity, an endowment, a religious and miraculous faculty, a gift (Strong’s G5486).
Manifestation: phanerosis: exhibition, expression, bestowment, to make manifest, to make visible, a revealing, outward display (Strong’s G5321). So this list is seen as the outward results of our exercising our main gift (Roman’s 12 list) as we minister in whatever capacity we are assigned by Christ within the body.
Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Ephesians 5:9: “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)”
How Then Shall We Proceed?
- Remember who you are ultimately responsible to – the Lord
- Determine that you are both a minister and a steward to Christ for your talents and actions
- Choose to study the mysteries of God – seek His wisdom, His secrets
- Determine that you will get, keep, maintain a good name before God and man
- Remember that others possibly weaker bothers/sisters are watching you
- Keep a good conscience before God – keep short accounts
- Remember – you are in a sort of race – working towards the prize of the high calling. In your race, there is only one runner – YOU! Don’t give up!
Maranatha Emanuel!
May God bless you all!
Bro. Joe
References
Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)