The General Content of the Teaching

The specific gifts that Paul references in the key passages include:

In 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 28:

• Word of wisdom

• Word of knowledge

• Faith

• Healing

• Prophecy and prophets

• Tongues

• Interpretation of tongues

• Apostles

• Teachers

• Deeds of power

• Forms of assistance

• Forms of leadership

In Romans 12:6–8:

• Prophecy,

• Ministry

• Teaching

• Exhortation

• Giving

• Leading

• Showing mercy

In Ephesians 4:11:

• Apostles

• Prophets

• Evangelists

• Pastors

• Teachers.

Paul doesn’t suggest that the various gifts in these passages encompass all of the possible gifts given by the Spirit. Furthermore, it seems that Paul doesn’t categorically differentiate between the miraculous, transcendent, or spontaneous gifts with those that are more mundane, indicative of a regular function performed in the Church, or that overlap with latent talents possessed by members of the Church (Turner, Holy Spirit, 269–78; contra Dunn, Jesus, 209–10, 253; Unity, 110–13). Paul’s teaching suggests that every member of the Church receives at least one gift (1 Cor 12:7, 11, 18; 14:1, 26; Eph 4:7; see also 1 Pet 4:10; Käsemann, “Ministry and Community,” 73), and some people may possess more than one (e.g., 1 Cor 14:13, 18). It also seems likely that some specific gifts actually encapsulate or overlap with several others; for example, the gift of apostle probably encapsulates the gifts of teaching and leadership.

In 1 Cor 12:4–6, Paul asserts that various gifts given to the different members of the Church have a singular source. He also points to the triune relationship the gifts have to the Spirit, Jesus Christ, and God. Barrett suggests it is “the Spirit who gives, the Lord who is served, and the God who is at work” (Barrett, First Epistle to the Corinthians, 284). Out of the three key passages concerning such gifts, Paul emphasizes the Spirit in 1 Cor 12, God in Rom 12, and Christ in Eph 4 (Palma, “Spiritual gifts,” 9).

While the gifts are distributed according to the sovereign divine will (1 Cor 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:3; Eph 4:7–11), Christians should also pursue certain gifts, and, ostensibly, may obtain them through such effort (including prayer; 1 Cor 14:1, 13). However, any such pursuit must be accompanied by humble recognition of God’s sovereignty, individual limitations, and the need for interdependence and unity within the community (Rom 12:3, 16; 1 Cor 12:18–26, 29–30; Dunn, Jesus, 264–65).

Paul equates some gifts, or identifies them as a prerequisite for, recognized positions in the Church (1 Cor 12:28; Eph 4:11; 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6). Furthermore, nothing in any of the relevant texts suggests there is an inherent distinction or opposition between such gifts and regular ministerial functions or offices (e.g., 1 Cor 16:15–16; Phil 1:1; 1 Thess 5:12; Gal 6:6). There is no real support that the gifting of the Spirit was subordinated to, or overtaken by, institutionalized offices in the Church in 1 and 2 Timothy (Fee, Empowering Presence, 772–76, 785–89; Turner, Holy Spirit, 279–84; Palma, “Spiritual Gifts,” 18; Berding, “Confusing Word and Concept,” 47; contra Dunn, Unity, 112–13).

Spiritual gifts should be understood as primarily events (e.g., a healing) or activities or functions (e.g., the act of teaching or role as teacher) in the Church, and only secondarily as the abilities or empowerments to perform them (Fee, Empowering Presence, 33–35; Berding, “Confusing Word and Concept,” 38–39, 47–49; in this respect see also Dunn, Unity, 110–13). Among other things, this understanding accounts for the unqualified inclusion of both functions (e.g., prophecy, teaching) as well as functionaries (e.g., prophets, teachers) among the various gifts listed in 1 Cor 12 (Berding, “Confusing Word and Concept,”42; Fee, Empowering Presence, 189–90). In every key Pauline passage, it is the act of ministry itself, rather than the ability to perform it, that is of central concern (Ellis, Pauline Theology, 34).

Additional teachings include:

• The ultimate purpose of spiritual gifts is the building up of the Church; that is, they are without exception to be used in service of one another for the benefit of all (e.g.,1 Cor 12:7, 12–14, 25–27; 14:1–5, 12, 16–17, 31; Rom 12; Eph 4:12).

• All the gifts given by the Spirit are necessary for the proper functioning of the Church (compare 1 Cor 12:7–27).

• The phenomenon of spiritual gifts will continue within the Church until the return of Jesus Christ and consummation of God’s plan of redemption (1 Cor 13:8–12).