1 Corinthians 12:7
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV
Read the Context: 1 Corinthians 12 NIV
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
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,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
Footnotes
1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
1 Corinthians 12:13 Or with; or in
1 Corinthians 12:30 Or other languages
Devotional
One of the greatest obstacles to being used by God is the belief that we are not qualified.
We think we need more biblical knowledge, greater confidence, a better testimony, or a more impressive spiritual gift. We look at people who seem gifted and assume God can use them more effectively than He can use us.
But the Holy Spirit does not call every believer to the same assignment. He gives different gifts, abilities, and opportunities so that the whole body of Christ can participate in His work.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul teaches that the Spirit distributes gifts for the benefit of others. Spiritual gifts are not merely personal accomplishments or ways to gain recognition. They are opportunities to serve, strengthen, encourage, and build up the people around us.
Your gift may not look like someone else's gift. You may be gifted at teaching, serving, encouraging, giving, showing mercy, leading, or offering practical help. Whatever God has entrusted to you, He can use it to make a difference in someone's life.
And you do not have to be perfect to be useful.
Barnabas and Saul were called to a specific work, but the church at Antioch also played an important role. The believers prayed, fasted, laid hands on them, and sent them. Some were sent to go; others helped support the mission.
The same is true today. Some people preach, some teach, some serve behind the scenes, some give generously, and others offer a listening ear to someone who is struggling. Every act of faithful service can become part of God's work.
The question is not whether you have the same gifts as someone else. The question is whether you are willing to let the Holy Spirit use what He has given you.
God is not asking you to be somebody else. He is asking you to surrender the person He created you to be.
You do not have to have all the answers. You simply have to be willing to say, “Holy Spirit, use me.”
Put It Into Practice
Reflection Question
Am I holding back because I feel unqualified, or am I willing to let the Holy Spirit work through what I already have?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for giving gifts to Your people and equipping us to serve. Forgive me for the times I have compared myself with others or allowed insecurity to keep me from obeying You. Help me recognize what You have entrusted to me. Teach me to use my gifts with humility, love, and faithfulness. I surrender my abilities, my limitations, and my plans to You. Make me available for whatever work You want to accomplish through my life. In Jesus' name, amen.
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
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,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
Footnotes
1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
1 Corinthians 12:13 Or with; or in
1 Corinthians 12:30 Or other languages
Devotional
One of the greatest obstacles to being used by God is the belief that we are not qualified.
We think we need more biblical knowledge, greater confidence, a better testimony, or a more impressive spiritual gift. We look at people who seem gifted and assume God can use them more effectively than He can use us.
But the Holy Spirit does not call every believer to the same assignment. He gives different gifts, abilities, and opportunities so that the whole body of Christ can participate in His work.
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul teaches that the Spirit distributes gifts for the benefit of others. Spiritual gifts are not merely personal accomplishments or ways to gain recognition. They are opportunities to serve, strengthen, encourage, and build up the people around us.
Your gift may not look like someone else's gift. You may be gifted at teaching, serving, encouraging, giving, showing mercy, leading, or offering practical help. Whatever God has entrusted to you, He can use it to make a difference in someone's life.
And you do not have to be perfect to be useful.
Barnabas and Saul were called to a specific work, but the church at Antioch also played an important role. The believers prayed, fasted, laid hands on them, and sent them. Some were sent to go; others helped support the mission.
The same is true today. Some people preach, some teach, some serve behind the scenes, some give generously, and others offer a listening ear to someone who is struggling. Every act of faithful service can become part of God's work.
The question is not whether you have the same gifts as someone else. The question is whether you are willing to let the Holy Spirit use what He has given you.
God is not asking you to be somebody else. He is asking you to surrender the person He created you to be.
You do not have to have all the answers. You simply have to be willing to say, “Holy Spirit, use me.”
Put It Into Practice
- Identify one gift or strength God has given you that could benefit someone else. Use that gift intentionally this week to serve another person.
- Instead of comparing yourself with someone else, thank God for the unique opportunities He has placed before you.
- One Person. Five Days of Prayer. One Step of Faith. Ask God to put one person on your heart who needs to experience the love and hope of Jesus. Pray for them every day over the next 5 days. Look and listen for ways God is prompting you to reach out. Remember, the goal is not to pressure someone into a decision. It is to faithfully love them, pray for them, and create opportunities for them to encounter Jesus.
Reflection Question
Am I holding back because I feel unqualified, or am I willing to let the Holy Spirit work through what I already have?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for giving gifts to Your people and equipping us to serve. Forgive me for the times I have compared myself with others or allowed insecurity to keep me from obeying You. Help me recognize what You have entrusted to me. Teach me to use my gifts with humility, love, and faithfulness. I surrender my abilities, my limitations, and my plans to You. Make me available for whatever work You want to accomplish through my life. In Jesus' name, amen.
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