Chapter 10 - The Gifts of the Spirit

The Nine Spiritual Gifts

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. For to one is 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. I Corinthians 12:1, 8-10

Paul begins his commentary on the spiritual gifts by admonishing us to learn about them. In respect to these gifts he said, “I would not have you ignorant . . .” (I Corinthians 12:1). There was confusion in the Corinthian church because of misuse of the gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 14:26-33). Consequently, Paul devoted three chapters to a description of them and instructed the church in regard to their use and purpose. A believer should be familiar with all nine gifts and the manner in which they operate in the church.