Exploring the List of Gifts of the Holy Spirit: A Biblical Guide

Are you curious about the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible? Many Christians seek to understand these divine endowments, and thankfully, scripture provides guidance on this very topic. When exploring the concept of spiritual gifts, it’s essential to recognize that the Bible actually presents not just one, but several lists of these special abilities, often referred to as the “gifts of the Spirit” or “spiritual gifts”. This article will delve into these lists of gifts of the holy spirit, drawing from key biblical passages to offer a comprehensive overview.

Within the New Testament, we find three primary passages that enumerate spiritual gifts: Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, and 1 Corinthians 12:28. While Ephesians 4:11 is sometimes included in discussions about spiritual gifts, it technically lists offices within the church rather than gifts themselves. Let’s examine each of these lists to gain a clearer understanding of the diverse ways the Holy Spirit empowers believers.

Romans 12 List of Spiritual Gifts

The book of Romans, in chapter 12, provides an initial list of spiritual gifts focused on practical service and ministry within the Christian community. This passage emphasizes how different members of the body of Christ are equipped to contribute in unique and valuable ways. The gifts mentioned in Romans 12:6-8 are:

Prophecy: In this context, “prophecy” isn’t solely about foretelling the future. The Greek word signifies “speaking forth” and involves declaring God’s will, interpreting His purposes, and communicating divine truth to influence and guide people. It’s about proclaiming God’s message with clarity and relevance for the present moment.
Serving: Also known as “ministering,” this gift encompasses a wide range of practical assistance offered to those in need. It’s the tangible expression of Christian love through acts of service, embodying the spirit of a deacon, derived from the Greek word diakonian. This gift is about meeting practical needs with a willing heart.
Teaching: This gift centers on the skillful explanation and application of God’s Word. Gifted teachers possess the ability to analyze biblical texts, clarify their meaning and context, and effectively communicate these truths in a way that transforms lives. It’s about making the doctrines of faith understandable and actionable.
Encouraging: Sometimes referred to as “exhortation,” this gift is characterized by the ability to motivate and inspire others to follow God’s truth. It involves calling people to live out their faith, offering correction when needed, and building up those who are weak or struggling. It’s about strengthening faith and offering comfort through biblical encouragement.
Giving: Gifted givers demonstrate joyful generosity in sharing their resources – whether financial, material, or personal time – with others. They are attuned to the needs around them and actively seek opportunities to meet those needs with their resources. This gift is marked by a cheerful and proactive spirit of generosity.
Leadership: This gift involves guiding, directing, and managing people within the church effectively. The word implies “guiding a ship,” suggesting a leader steers the community with wisdom, grace, and the fruit of the Spirit. Leadership here is about serving through guidance and example.
Mercy: Closely linked to encouragement, the gift of mercy is seen in individuals who show deep compassion and sensitivity towards those suffering or in distress. They offer sympathy, understanding, and practical help to alleviate suffering with kindness and cheerfulness. It’s about actively demonstrating compassion in tangible ways.

1 Corinthians 12:4–11 List of Spiritual Gifts

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul provides a more extensive list of spiritual gifts, emphasizing the diversity and interdependence of gifts within the church body. This list highlights both speaking and power gifts, showcasing the varied ways the Spirit manifests in believers. The spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 include:

Word of Wisdom: As a “word” gift, this relates to speaking. It’s the ability to understand and articulate biblical truth in a way that skillfully applies it to complex life situations with discernment. It’s about offering wise counsel rooted in divine understanding.
Word of Knowledge: Another “word” gift, this involves possessing deep insight into truth that comes through divine revelation. Those with this gift understand the profound aspects of God and the mysteries within His Word. It’s about receiving and sharing revealed insights from God.
Faith: While all Christians have faith, this gift refers to an extraordinary level of unwavering confidence in God, His Word, His promises, and the power of prayer to bring about miracles. It’s a faith that is bold and impactful, trusting God for the seemingly impossible.
Healing: While God undoubtedly heals today, the spiritual gift of healing, as a specific endowment, appears to have been prominent in the early church, particularly during the ministry of the apostles and their associates. It involved miraculous restoration of health and well-being through divine power.
Miraculous Powers: Also known as “working of miracles,” this gift, similar to healing, was a sign gift in the early church, involving supernatural acts that clearly demonstrated God’s power. These were extraordinary events beyond human capability, attributed solely to God.
Prophecy: Appearing again, prophecy in this list reinforces its importance as a speaking gift. It is the inspired declaration of God’s message, for edification, exhortation, and comfort.
Distinguishing (Discerning) of Spirits: This unique ability allows individuals to differentiate between true messages from God and deceptive messages from Satan or false teachers. It’s a protective gift for the church, guarding against doctrinal error and spiritual deception.
Speaking in Tongues: This gift, also considered a sign gift, enabled early believers to communicate the gospel in languages they had not learned, facilitating the spread of Christianity to diverse cultures. It was a supernatural ability to speak in other languages. It is important to note that the “diversity of tongues” mentioned here does not support the idea of a private “prayer language” as a spiritual gift.
Interpretation of Tongues: Complementary to speaking in tongues, this gift enabled individuals to understand and translate messages spoken in tongues, making them understandable to the wider audience. It ensured that the message in tongues could be communicated and understood by all.

1 Corinthians 12:28 List of Spiritual Gifts

Further in 1 Corinthians 12, verse 28 provides a shorter list, often viewed as gifts of leadership and support within the church structure. This list emphasizes the practical organization and functioning of the Christian community. The gifts listed here are:

Healings: Reiterating the importance of divine healing within the ministry of the church.
Helps: Closely related to the gift of mercy, helps involves providing practical assistance and support to others in the church with compassion and grace. This gift is about identifying and meeting needs, especially spiritual needs, with kindness and scriptural encouragement.
Governments: This gift refers to the ability to lead, administer, and organize effectively within the church. It’s about providing structure, direction, and wise management for the smooth functioning of the church community. It is about leadership focused on administration and guidance.
Diversities of Tongues: Again mentioning the variety of languages as a spiritual gift, reinforcing its role in early church communication and outreach.

It’s important to note that these lists may not be exhaustive, and there could be other spiritual gifts not explicitly listed in these passages. Furthermore, some gifts appear in multiple lists, highlighting their significance. Understanding the List Of Gifts Of The Holy Spirit is crucial for believers to recognize how they are uniquely equipped to serve within the body of Christ and contribute to God’s Kingdom.

For Further Study

Related Articles

Return to: Questions about the Holy Spirit

Is there a biblical spiritual gifts list?