A concept present only in the NT, primarily in the Pauline Letters. In distinction from the “fruit of the Spirit,” which all Christians are to manifest without variation (Gal 5:22-23), the gifts of the Spirit are understood to vary from one believer to another (Rom 12:6; 1Cor 12:4-11; 1Pet 4:10). There are four prominent listings of the Spirit’s gifts (Rom 12:6-8; 1Cor 12:8-10; 1Cor 12:28; 1Cor 12:29-30). The various gifts may be grouped under three general headings: gifts of utterance include prophecy (Rom 12:6; 1Cor 12:10; 1Cor 12:28; 1Cor 12:8; 1Cor 14:6), the ability to distinguish between true and false prophecy (1Cor 12:10; 1Cor 14:29; 1Thess 5:19-21), instruction (Rom 12:7; 1Cor 12:28; 1Cor 14:6), speaking in tongues (1Cor 12:10; 1Cor 12:28; 1Cor 14:1-19), and the ability to interpret speaking in tongues (1Cor 12:10; 1Cor 12:30; 1Cor 14:5; 1Cor 14:13); gifts of practical ministry include caring for the needy (Rom 12:7-8), forms of assistance (1Cor 12:28), and leadership (Rom 12:8; 1Cor 12:28); gifts of wonder-working faith include healing (1Cor 12:9; 1Cor 12:28) and performing miracles (1Cor 12:10; 1Cor 12:28). The gift of apostleship, ranked first in (1Cor 12:28), is active in all three ways: in the ministry of the word (1Cor 1:17; 1Cor 4:17), in pastoral care (Rom 15:25-29; Philemon), and in the working of miracles (2Cor 12:12; Gal 3:5). Additional lists of gifts found in (Eph 4:11 and 1Pet 4:10-11) refer only to intelligible utterance and practical ministry (not speaking in tongues or miracle working).
