Today, we were able to get into the list of spiritual gifts, as recorded in Romans. The 9 gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 are listed in descending order of importance, with the most edifying gifts first, and the least edifying to the church body at the end. The reason was that the Corinthians had an issue with carnality, wanting to receive accolades upon themselves. Remember, 1 Corinthians was written around 52 A.D., Romans around 57 A.D., and Ephesians around 62 A.D..
Romans 12:3-8: For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Paul’s list of spiritual gifts here is different than 1 Corinthians:First, he mentions that God has dealt to everyone the measure of faith. From that measure of faith, we receive our gift/office. We do not all have the same office, but our gift is bestowed according to the grace given to us!
1. Prophecy — A Temporary gift of teaching and foretelling truth to the churches in the early Church Age, before the written Word was available. (According to the proportion of faith)2. Ministry — Service / helps. This is the most plentiful gift, because it is the most needed gift. Serving others is the greatest attribute needed in the local church.
Mark 10:44-45: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (served), but to minister (serve), and to give his life a ransom for many. Hebrews 10:13: For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
We are all called to serve one another, even though there is the gift of service that compels the gifted to lead in service.
3. Teaching — Teaching doctrinal truth. Knowledge is what you know, understanding is knowing how to apply what you know, and wisdom is being able to share what you have “fleshed out” in your knowledge and understanding.Paul separates teaching into 2 gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, but here they are combined into one. This is a picture of the ongoing transition as the Church grows and matures into the clearly defined, gifted body that we are today. Remember, Romans was written 5 years after Corinthians.
4. Exhortation — To incite to righteousness or ardent urging. The word exhort is used 16 times in the New Testament, cheering the recipients to trust and live out their faith. Exhortation is a gift, but we are all commanded to be ready to exhort one another, and the local church is where much of our exhortation takes place!
Hebrews 10:25: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 & 5:14: Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
5. Giving — This gift of simplicity is one that spans the whole of who we are in Christ. Giving is not just about finances, it is about your whole being. To give of yourself is the greatest gift, because it reflects Christ in you!
2 Corinthians 9:7-8: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
6. Ruling / Administration /Leading — The gift of biblical leadership is one that must exercised with diligence.
7. Mercy — The gift of mercy is to exercised cheerfully! I was asked, How can you identify your spiritual gift? The simple answer — Get involved in serving in the local church, and the Holy Spirit will guide you into your area of giftedness. No one has ever discovered their gift, without involvement in service in the body of Christ, and edifying one another.