4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NIV)
Thomas Scott Commentary
There was a great diversity in the spiritual gifts given to the Corinthians, and they valued some of them more than others. Yet these all came from the same divine Spirit, through whom they were merely instruments. There were also different ministries or offices, in which people served the church according to the work assigned to them and the talents entrusted to them. But they were all servants of Christ, dependent on the same Lord, and accountable to Him. The effects of their gifts—whether miraculous healings or the conversion of sinners—were produced by the power of the same God, who worked these changes in people’s bodies and souls through His Son and by His Spirit for His own glory.
The manifestation of the Spirit’s power in these extraordinary works was not meant to glorify the individuals through whom He worked but to benefit the church and even those outside it. The purpose was that those who possessed these gifts or held church offices might serve others, as these gifts were separate from the personal holiness that makes a person use all their talents for good.
For this purpose, the Holy Spirit gave one person “the word of wisdom,” meaning special revelations about the plan of salvation, along with the ability to explain it in a way that led others to faith. To another, the same Spirit gave “the word of knowledge,” which referred to an extraordinary understanding of Old Testament types and prophecies, an ability to explain difficult subjects, answer objections, resolve moral dilemmas, and speak appropriately to different people.
Another was given a remarkable level of faith, enabling them to take on dangerous tasks that others with more knowledge might hesitate to attempt. This kind of faith was different from the faith that justifies and was considered a spiritual gift intended to benefit others. Some were given the gift of healing; others could perform various miracles. Some had the ability to predict future events, while others had a supernatural ability to discern spirits—to perceive what motivated people or what tasks they were suited for. Some could speak languages they had never learned, and others could miraculously interpret those languages for people who did not understand them.
The Holy Spirit freely gave all these gifts in whatever measure and variety He saw best for the benefit of the church. No one had a reason to boast over others or to feel overlooked in this distribution. Although it is difficult today to determine exactly what the apostle meant by each specific term—since these gifts were well understood when they were being exercised—the most likely meanings have been presented. Comparing the statement in verse 6, “the same God who works all in all,” with verse 11, “all these are the work of one and the same Spirit,” clearly demonstrates the Personality, Sovereignty, and Deity of the Holy Spirit.