1 Corinthians 12:4

King James Version (KJV)

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

There are diversities of gifts - Χαρισματων· Gracious endowments, leading to miraculous results; such as the gift of prophecy, speaking different tongues, etc. And these all came by the extraordinary influences of the Holy Spirit.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Now there are diversities of gifts - There are different endowments conferred on Christians. For the meaning of the word “gifts,” see the note at Romans 1:11; compare Romans 5:15-16; Romans 6:23; Romans 11:29; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 7:7.

But the same Spirit - Produced by the same Spirit - the Holy Spirit. What those diversities of gifts are, the apostle enumerates in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. The design for which he refers to these various endowments is evidently to show those whom he addressed, that since they are all produced by the same Holy Spirit, have all the same divine origin, and are all intended to answer some important purpose and end in the Christian church, that, therefore, none are to be despised; nor is one man to regard himself as authorized to treat another with contempt. The Spirit has divided and conferred those gifts according to his sovereign will; and his arrangements should be regarded with submission, and the favors which he confers should be received with thankfulness. That the Holy Spirit - the third person of the adorable Trinity - is here intended by the word “Spirit,” seems to be manifest on the face of the passage, and has been the received interpretation of the church until it was called in question by some recent German commentators, at the head of whom was Eichhorn. It is not the design of these notes to go into an examination of questions of criticism, such as an inquiry like this would involve. Nor is it necessary. Some of the arguments by which the common interpretation is defended are the following:

(1) It is the obvious interpretation. It is that which occurs to the great mass of readers, as the true and correct exposition.

(2) it accords with the usual meaning of the word Spirit. No other intelligible sense can be given to the word here. To say, with Eichhorn, that it means “nature,” that there are the same natural endowments, though cultivated in various measures by art and education, makes manifest nonsense, and is contrary to the whole structure and scope of the passage.

(3) it accords with all the other statements in the New Testament, where the endowments here referred to “wisdom,” “knowledge,” “faith,” “working of miracles,” etc., are traced to the Holy Spirit, and are regarded as his gift.

(4) the harmony, the concinnity of the passage is destroyed by supposing that it refers to anything else than the Holy Spirit. In this verse the agency of the Spirit is recognized, and his operations on the mind referred to; in the next verse the agency of the Son of God (see the note on the verse) is referred to; and in the following verse, the agency of God - evidently the Father - is brought into view; and thus the entire passage 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 presents a connected view of the operations performed by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the work of redemption. To deny that this verse refers to the Holy Spirit is to break up the harmony of the whole passage, and to render it in no small degree unmeaning. But if this refers to the Holy Spirit, then it is an unanswerable argument for his personality, and for his being on an equality with the Father and the Son.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Spiritual gifts were extraordinary powers bestowed in the first ages, to convince unbelievers, and to spread the gospel. Gifts and graces greatly differ. Both were freely given of God. But where grace is given, it is for the salvation of those who have it. Gifts are for the advantage and salvation of others; and there may be great gifts where there is no grace. The extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit were chiefly exercised in the public assemblies, where the Corinthians seem to have made displays of them, wanting in the spirit of piety, and of Christian love. While heathens, they had not been influenced by the Spirit of Christ. No man can call Christ Lord, with believing dependence upon him, unless that faith is wrought by the Holy Ghost. No man could believe with his heart, or prove by a miracle, that Jesus was Christ, unless by the Holy Ghost. There are various gifts, and various offices to perform, but all proceed from one God, one Lord, one Spirit; that is, from the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the origin of all spiritual blessings. No man has them merely for himself. The more he profits others, the more will they turn to his own account. The gifts mentioned appear to mean exact understanding, and uttering the doctrines of the Christian religion; the knowledge of mysteries, and skill to give advice and counsel. Also the gift of healing the sick, the working of miracles, and to explain Scripture by a peculiar gift of the Spirit, and ability to speak and interpret languages. If we have any knowledge of the truth, or any power to make it known, we must give all the glory of God. The greater the gifts are, the more the possessor is exposed to temptations, and the larger is the measure of grace needed to keep him humble and spiritual; and he will meet with more painful experiences and humbling dispensations. We have little cause to glory in any gifts bestowed on us, or to despise those who have them not.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

4. Gifts. Gr. charismata, literally, “gifts of grace.” Here the word refers to the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit dwelling and working in a special manner in individuals. The diversities of gifts are enumerated in vs. 8-11.

Dispensation. Gr. oikonomia, “stewardship,” “commission.” Paul had been entrusted with a stewardship. In Paul’s day stewards were often slaves chosen from the domestic servants and charged with the care of the household goods (see Luke 12:42, 43). There is no idea here of degrading the Christian ministry to the level of a servile office. The word is used to illustrate the manner of Paul’s appointment as an apostle.

Paul did not mean that he preached the gospel for no other reason than that of mere compulsion, because he had the burden laid upon him, or in such a way that his will did not agree with what he was doing. Once having received his call, he gladly accepted his responsibility as a steward and determined to magnify his office. He saw fit to do this by denying himself the legitimate material compensation arranged by the Lord for ministers of the gospel (see Luke 10:7; 1 Cor. 9:13, 14). This meant that he would do without comforts and conveniences that he might lawfully enjoy, and that he would subject himself to hardship and toil for his own support while preaching the gospel. Behavior of this kind was a demonstration that his heart was in his work and that he really enjoyed and loved it.

Same Spirit. The different modes of operation of the gifts are all produced and controlled by the Holy Spirit. These various methods of working of the gifts are mentioned in vs. 8-11. Paul’s point of emphasis in referring to these different endowments is to show the Corinthians that since they are all produced by the same Spirit, and all have the same origin and purpose, therefore none are to be despised or belittled. No man, because of the reception of a certain gift of the Spirit, is to look with contempt upon any other believer because he is not so favored. The disposition of the gifts by God is to be accepted gratefully, and due recognition given to the One who dispenses these powers, and not to the recipient as being in any way superior to his fellows.

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Ellen G. White
The Faith I Live By, 292.1

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.... The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 1 Corinthians 12:1, 7. FLB 292.1

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Ellen G. White
Selected Messages Book 3, 25.1

But God has set in the church different gifts. These are all precious in their place, and all are to act a part in the perfecting of the saints. 3SM 25.1

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Ellen G. White
Evangelism, 98

Ministers to Take Time to Pray—I am drawn out to call upon our people to make every effort to save souls. We need increased faith. The hearts of our church members should be drawn out in prayer for those who are preaching the gospel. And ministers must take time to pray for themselves and for the people of God, whom they are appointed to serve.—Letter 49, 1903. Ev 98.1

Prayer Seasons Bring Encouragement—As workers, let us seek the Lord together. Of our own selves we can do nothing; but through Christ we can do all things. God intends that we shall be a help and blessing to one another, and that we shall be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.... God lives and reigns; and He will give us all the help we need. It is our privilege at all times to draw strength and encouragement from His blessed promise, “My grace is sufficient for you.”—Historical Sketches, p. 129. (1886). Ev 98.2

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