Lessons #415 and 416
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+ 1. It is best to use this note after you have listened to the lessons because there are +
+ comments given in the actual delivery not in the note. +
+ 2. The Bible abbreviations are as follows: CEV =Contemporary English version, +
+ CEB = Common English Bible, ESV= English Standard Version, +
+ GW = God’s Word Translation, ISV = International Standard Version, +
+ NAB=New English Bible, NASB= New American Standard Bible, +
+ NEB= New English Bible, NET = New English Translation, +
+ NLT = New Living Translations NJB = New Jerusalem Bible, +
+ NJV = New Jewish Bible, TEV = Today’s English Version. +
+AMP = Amplified Bible, UBS = United Bible Society +
+ 3. Notes have not been edited for grammatical errors. +
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Spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:7-11)
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 the message of wisdom, to another the 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 gives them to each one, just as he determines.
In the preceding section of 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Apostle Paul wrote concerning the apportionments related to spiritual matters. Specifically, he mentioned the apportionments of spiritual gifts, ministries, and activities that involved special capability. In dealing with these, the apostle implied there is unity in function of the persons of the Godhead although a specific member is involved primarily in a given apportionment. Having introduced these apportionments, the apostle then proceeds in our present passage to focus on the first thing he mentioned in the previous section, that is, spiritual gifts. Thus, the section of 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 is concerned with spiritual gifts. The apostle first states the purpose of spiritual gifts in verse 7. In verses 8 to 10, he mentioned different kinds of spiritual gifts and ends in verse 11 with a statement regarding the source of the spiritual gifts he enumerated. This summary implies that there is a simple message the Holy Spirit wants us to pay attention in the section that we are about to consider. The message is this: There are several spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit gave for the benefit of the church.
That Apostle Paul was continuing with the matter of spiritual gifts he introduced in verse 4 of this twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians, is conveyed with the first word now that begins verse 7. The word “now” is translated from a Greek particle (de) that may be used to connect one clause to another, either to express contrast or simple continuation but in certain occurrences the marker may be left untranslated as adopted by some English versions, such as, the NET that did not translate our Greek particle. Although it is often translated “but” in the English when there is a perceived contrast between two clauses, but it has other meanings such as “now,” “then,” “and,” “so” when it is used to link segments of a narrative. It can also be used to indicate transition to something new. In our verse, the Greek particle is subject to two possible interpretations. It can be used to state a contrast with the translation “but.” This interpretation implies that the apostle meant to say that although the spiritual gifts have the same source, however, they have different expressions. Another interpretation is that it is used to indicate continuation or transition in which case it may be translated “now” as in the NIV or left untranslated as in the NET. While both interpretations make sense, it is probably the second interpretation the apostle meant. This is because he introduced spiritual gifts in verse 4 so it makes better sense that he is continuing with the subject matter than to indicate a contrast between what he said in present verse and the preceding, especially since he already indicated there are various activities associated with the Triune God. The reader would probably recognize that because of various activities that there are different spiritual gifts, so the apostle was not inclined to repeat that fact as he was to continue his exposition on spiritual gifts mentioned in verse 4. Our point is that verse 7 should begin with the word “now” to indicate continuation of the subject matter began in verse 4.
The apostle on indicating that he was continuing with the subject of spiritual gifts, conveyed that each believer has a spiritual gift. In effect, the Holy Spirit through the apostle wants every believer to be assured of having a spiritual gift. It is this fact the apostle wrote in the next sentence of 1 Corinthians 12:7 to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given.
It is our assertion that the Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul intended to convey to us that each believer has a spiritual gift. This is implied in the phrase to each one that is emphasized in the Greek text. The expression “each one” is translated from a Greek word (hekastos) that may mean “each, each one, everyone.” It is in the sense of “everyone” that Apostle Paul used it to convey that believers would be rewarded for good works they do irrespective of their social standing as we read in Ephesians 6:8:
because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Anyway, since the Greek word is used for “each one of a totality in a distributive sense,” we should recognize that the word is limited to believers. Thus, the apostle used the word to imply that every believer is a recipient of the manifestation of the Spirit. We are emphasizing that every believer has a spiritual gift since the Holy Spirit lives in all believers. This we can deduce from the declaration of the Holy Spirit through Apostle Paul in Romans 12:6–8:
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
The same truth of every believer having a spiritual gift is implied in 1 Peter 4:10:
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
In any case, Apostle Paul is concerned to communicate to us that he was still focusing on spiritual matters and unity of function of the Triune God although with implied focus on the Holy Spirit as he wrote in the sentence of 1 Corinthians 12:7 to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given. The reason for asserting that the apostle was still concerned first with spiritual matters and then focused on the Holy Spirit is the phrase the manifestation of the Spirit. The Greek syntax suggests that the phrase could be interpreted in different ways. It may be taken as what the Spirit manifests, implying the manifestation is from the Holy Spirit or the operation which manifests the Spirit in public. These are the more commonly held interpretations. However, another interpretation is that the apostle is concerned with restricting qualitatively the manifestation he had in mind so that he meant that it is one that is spiritual in nature. This interpretation means that we could translate the phrase the manifestation of the Spirit as spiritual manifestation implying that each believer receives spiritual manifestation. This interpretation is supported by the fact that in other passages where the apostle used the Greek phrase translated of the Spirit the interpretation of restricting qualitatively the noun associated with the word Spirit also makes sense as I will demonstrate. The apostle speaks of the ministry of the Spirit in 2 Corinthians 3:8–9:
8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
Here the phrase the ministry of the Spirit among other possible interpretations may be interpreted as spiritual ministry to restrict qualitatively the ministry the apostle had in mind. The apostle spoke of fruit related to the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
The phrase the fruit of the Spirit among other interpretations may also be interpreted to mean that the apostle is restricting qualitatively the fruit he meant as “spiritual fruit.” In writing of the need for unity to the Ephesians, the apostle wrote Ephesians 4:3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
The phrase the unity of the Spirit among other possible interpretations may be interpreted as spiritual unity to differentiate the unity that the apostle wants believers to aspire from any other kind of unity people may think. The apostle in describing the weapons of the spiritual warfare describes an offensive weapon as “sword” in Ephesians 6:17:
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The phrase the sword of the Spirit may be interpreted to mean “spiritual sword” so that the Apostle wanted to restrict qualitatively the word “sword” he had in mind. It is a spiritual sword as against the normal sword that people in the ancient world used for war. The example we have cited indicate that the interpretation of the phrase the manifestation of the Spirit as spiritual manifestation is a possible interpretation of the phrase, to indicate that the apostle was still concerned with spiritual matters associated with the Triune God.
Which of these interpretations did the apostle have in mind? It is probably the case that the apostle had the first and third interpretations in his mind. We mean that when he wrote the phrase of 1 Corinthians 12:7 the manifestation of the Spirit, he was thinking of the manifestation that the Holy Spirit is the source and that the manifestation is spiritual in nature; but perhaps with focus on the third interpretation since the first interpretation is implied in what the apostle states next in the verbal phrase of 1 Corinthian 12:7 that we will get to later.
There is no doubt that when the apostle wrote the sentence of 1 Corinthians 12:7 to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given he was still conveying the unity of the persons of the Triune God because of the word “manifestation” he used. The word “manifestation” is translated from a Greek word (phanerōsis) that appears only twice in the Greek NT; in its other occurrence it has the meaning of “plainly” in 2 Corinthians 4:2:
Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
In our passage of 1 Corinthians 12:7, it has the sense of “manifestation,” that is, a clear indication of the existence or presence or nature of some person or thing. Manifestation of something would normally involve an activity that is visible. This being the case, whatever manifestation that the Holy Spirit produces in a believer will be through some form of activity or ministry. Since the apostle had already conveyed that God in three persons is involved in spiritual gifts, ministries, and activities that involve special capability, it is likely that as he wrote the sentence, we are considering that his mind still went back to the three persons of the Triune God although with focus on the Holy Spirit when it comes to various manifestations in the spiritual matters.
The Holy Spirit is the focus of the manifestation of any activity in the spiritual life. It is probably to convey that He is the primary player in the manifestation of spiritual gifts the apostle wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:7 to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given.
The word “given” is translated from a Greek word (didōmi) that may mean “to give” as an expression of generosity as the word is used in Paul’s quotation of a sayings of the Lord that was not recorded in any of the gospels but probably in other sources, as we read in Acts 20:35:
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
The word may mean “to offer” as in bribing someone as it is used to describe the expectation of Governor Felix regarding Paul’s trial as we read in Acts 24:26:
At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
The word may mean “to command” as it is used in 1 John 3:23:
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
The sentence he commanded us is literally he gave us commandment. The word may mean “to give” in the sense of instructing someone as it is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:2:
For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
The word may mean “to give” in the sense of offering counsel or advice as it is used in Mark 3:6:
Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
The verbal phrase began to plot is literally began to give counsel. In our passage of 1 Corinthians 12:7, it has the sense of “to be granted.”
The apostle used a passive voice in the Greek in the sentence of 1 Corinthians 12:7 the manifestation of the Spirit is given so that a subject is involved in the granting or giving spiritual manifestation the apostle is concerned in our passage. The subject that is responsible for spiritual manifestation is God, specifically, the Holy Spirit since the apostle referenced the Holy Spirit in verses 3 and 4 of the chapter we are considering. Although the manifestation of the Spirit is often recognized as that which is miraculous, we should recognize that there are other manifestations of the Spirit that do not involve the miraculous that people observe. The Holy Spirit, for example, will empower a believer to be courageous in witnessing for Christ in keeping with what our Lord Jesus promised in Acts 1:8:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
When the Holy Spirit empowers a person, the courage of the individual may be observed by some other individuals. This was the case with the religious leaders that questioned Apostles Peter and John because of the healing of a crippled beggar. They confessed of the courage the two apostles exhibited as we read in Acts 4:13:
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
The courage of Peter and John was certainly a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. We say this because the Holy Spirit through Luke, the human author of Acts, tells us that Peter spoke after he was filled of the Holy Spirit as we learn from Acts 4:8:
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
Another manifestation of the Spirit that does not necessarily involve the miraculous is what I describe as evidence of normal filling of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22–23:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The point is that we should not think of manifestation of the presence of Holy Spirit in the life of a believer primarily in terms of the miraculous since there are other manifestations of the Holy Spirit that do not involve the miraculous. That aside, we should recognize that for every believer controlled by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit manifests Himself through whatever spiritual gift that believer has or through the fruit of the Spirit.
Be that as it may, the manifestation of the Spirit is beneficial to the believer and to the church. It is this truth that is given in the last verbal phrase of 1 Corinthians 12:7 for the common good. Literally the Greek reads for profit. This is because the expression “common good” of the NIV is how the translators interpreted the Greek participle used that is from a Greek verb (sympherō) that may mean “to bring together especially into a heap” as it is used to describe those who in Ephesus were involved in magical arts but upon conversion gathered together their magical books into a heap to be burned, as narrated in Acts 19:19:
A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
The Greek word may mean “to be advantageous” with several meanings. It may mean “to be good, to confer a benefit” as it is used to record the Lord Jesus’ statement to His disciples to indicate His leaving the world would be beneficial to them, as in John 16:7:
But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
The word may mean “to be profitable or helpful or useful” as in Apostle Paul’s declaration to the elders of Ephesian church in Acts 20:20:
You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.
The word may mean “to be gained” as Apostle Paul used it in describing the fact that although there is nothing for him to gain by boasting about God’s dealings with him; nevertheless, he did so, as we read in 2 Corinthians 12:1:
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
In our passage of 1 Corinthians 12:7, the word means “to be advantageous” in the sense of being useful or helpful.
The apostle did not specify the individual(s) that manifestation of the Spirit is helpful or advantageous. The context of the subject of spiritual gifts implies that spiritual gifts benefit believers as, for example, the gift of prophecy the apostle mentioned later that benefits the church as in 1 Corinthians 14:3:
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
Even then, the apostle also implies that the gift of tongue may benefit the one with the gift individually as he wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:4:
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
Anyway, since the literal phrase of 1 Corinthians 12:7 for profit or in the words of the NIV for the common good does not specify who is benefited by the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, it is better to recognize that it is the church of Christ as well as the individual believer.
In any case, Apostle Paul having indicated that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is for the benefit of the church and the individual, proceeds to elaborate with specific examples of the general statement that the Holy Spirit grants spiritual manifestations both to the church and to the individual believer. It is the specific manifestation of the Holy Spirit that is introduced in the first sentence of 1 Corinthian 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit.
A surface reading of the sentence we are considering does not seem to support our assertion that it is concerned with providing examples of the specifics to the general statement regarding the manifestation of the Spirit, but it is as we will demonstrate. You see, the apostle used two Greek particles at the beginning of the Greek of verse 8 that are not translated in the NIV and many other English versions although some translated the second Greek particle with the word “for.” The first Greek particle (men), not translated in our English versions, may be used as a marker of linkage in a discourse so it may be translated “and, so” but often it is left untranslated. While it is possible to interpret the particle as linking the present verse and the previous so that it may be left untranslated as it is done in our English versions, it is most likely that the apostle used it emphatically to stress the specific examples of the manifestation of the Spirit he was about to give, in which case, the Greek particle may be translated “indeed.” None of the modern English versions I consulted had this translation. Of course, some contend that the Greek construction that involves the first particle because of another Greek particle (de) used should be interpreted as involving some kind of contrast. However, experts tell us that such combination does not always emphasize a contrast but separates one thought from another in a series, so that they may be easily distinguished. This is the case in our verse. The second Greek particle used in verse 8 is a Greek word (gar) that has several usages. For example, it can be used as a marker of inference with the meaning “so, then, by all means” or it can be used as a marker of cause or reason for something in which case it may be translated “for, because.” In our context, it is used to introduce specific examples of manifestation of the Spirit that explain what the apostle said regarding the general statement of the Holy Spirit giving the spiritual manifestation in verse 7. Thus, it should be translated “for” as done in some English versions. Anyway, this usage of the second Greek particle the apostle used in the beginning of verse 8 should convince you that the apostle elaborates, beginning in verse 8, with specific examples of the general statement that the Holy Spirit grants the demonstration of the Spirit or spiritual demonstration.
Recall that in verse 7, we stated that the Holy Spirit is the One that grants manifestation of the Spirit because of the verbal phrase is given that is in the passive voice in the Greek. Our interpretation is confirmed by the verbal phrase of 1 Corinthians 12:8 is given through the Spirit. This is because of the word “through” is translated from a Greek preposition (dia) that is used in our phrase to indicate that the Holy Spirit is the personal agent that brings about the spiritual gifts that are described beginning from verse 8.
The apostle began his description of spiritual manifestation of the Holy Spirit or spiritual gifts with one that is involved with communication that is most often spoken as we read in the phrase of 1 Corinthians 12:8 the message of wisdom.
The word “message” is translated from a Greek word (logos) that concerns communication of what is in a person’s mind so that it means “word.” However, it has several nuances. It may mean “message” as it is used to describe the response of those who heard the sermon Peter delivered on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:41:
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The phrase his message is literally his word. The Greek word may mean “speech” as it is used to describe Moses by Stephen in his sermon, as recorded in Acts 7:22:
Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
The phrase powerful in speech is literally powerful in words. The Greek word may mean “statement”, as that is the sense of its usage in Luke’s record of the response of the elders of the Ephesian church to what Paul said to them in Acts 20:38:
What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
The phrase his statement is literally the word. The Greek word may mean “command” as it is used by Apostle Paul to quote from the OT Scripture about the summation of the law in Galatians 5:14:
The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The phrase in a single command is literally in one word. The Greek word may mean “instruction” as it is used in what Apostle Paul said to the Thessalonians regarding his letter to them in 2 Thessalonians 3:14:
If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed.
The phrase our instruction is literally our word. It may mean “preaching” when it is used with the Greek word that means “teaching”, as it is used in 1 Timothy 5:17:
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.
The clause those whose work is preaching and teaching is literally those laboring in word and teaching. The Greek word may mean “reason, ground, motive” as the word is used to encourage believers to be able to defend what they believe in 1 Peter 3:15:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
The phrase the reason for the hope is literally the word for the hope. In our passage of 1 Corinthians 12:8, the Greek word is used in the sense of “utterance” or “message,” that is, a communication that is most often spoken, but can come through other means. The message here is associated with the word “wisdom” in the phrase we are considering the message of wisdom.
The word “wisdom” is translated from a Greek word (sophia) that, like the adjective, was used in classical Greek primarily for a cleverness in hand labor and arts and then for understanding and capability in art, poetry and music, sculpture and painting and finally for that deeper insight into the foundations and connections of things, the significance and objects of life person. According to the Biblico-Theological Lexicon of the NT Greek, in the Septuagint, the Greek word is used (1) of excelling, capability and cleverness in skilled work (2) a degree of talent, knowledge, and experience far above the ordinary standard of mental capability and development, which puts its possessor in a position to give an account of everything (3) the understanding of God’s righteousness and will as the foundation and support of all things, which gives to a people pre-eminence above other peoples, and carries on to a good issue whatever pertains to it. In the NT, the Greek word may mean “wisdom” in the sense of the capacity to understand and function accordingly, as that is the sense of the word as that imparted by the Holy Spirit to Stephen as stated in Acts 6:10:
but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.
Wisdom is manifested in Stephen’s speech so that it can be said he spoke wisely or with wise words. The Greek word may have the sense of “good judgment” in practical matters, as the word is used to give the qualifications of those the early church chose to administer their affairs, as recorded in Acts 6:3:
Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
Wisdom here in Acts 6:3 has the sense of good judgment or knowledge that allows one to do things properly. The Greek word may refer to personified wisdom, that is, “Wisdom”, as it is used in Matthew 11:19:
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
“Wisdom” here is personified which agrees with the concept of personification of wisdom in the OT Scripture, as for example, wisdom personified called out, but people did not respond adequately hence the declaration of Proverbs 1:23:
If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.
There are two kinds of wisdom conveyed with the Greek word we are considering. There is the natural wisdom or insight obtained, for example, through education that is referred by Apostle Paul as “worldly wisdom” in 2 Corinthians 1:12:
Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace.
The phrase worldly wisdom is more literally “fleshly wisdom” or “human wisdom.” There is also that special wisdom that is given by God to those who are in close relationship with Him that Jesus promised His disciples in Luke 21:15:
For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
This special wisdom that God gives is described in James 3:17:
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
In our passage of 1 Corinthians 12:8, the word has the sense of “wisdom,” that is, the trait of utilizing knowledge and experience with the so-called common sense and insight. However, because the wisdom is a gift, it is a special kind of ability of utilizing knowledge or having insight different from that which God gives to every believer that requests for wisdom by which to operate as referenced in James.
In any case, what is the spiritual manifestation the apostle intended in the phrase of 1 Corinthians 12:8 the message of wisdom? The phrase the message of wisdom may be interpreted either as a message that is characterized by wisdom or a message that results in wisdom. There is no significant difference between the two and so a message of wisdom is not only characterized by wisdom, but it leads to having wisdom. What this means is that there are those that the Holy Spirit provides the special ability to utter words that are useful for living wisely. This gift was highly utilized by those the Holy Spirit inspired to write our Scripture. We can say this because it is the kind of wisdom that enabled Apostle Paul to write the things he wrote as testified by Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:15:
Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
This gift is not limited to the writing of the Scripture but for everyday functioning of the believer and the local church. In effect, a person with this gift would provide advice through application of the word of God that will help others to live wisely. There is a sense that the gift we are considering is the kind of gift that Joseph had that enabled him to provide advice to Pharaoh that helped preserve Egypt from famine and led to his promotion as the Prime Minister of Egypt as we may gather from Acts 7:10:
and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.
This gift of message of wisdom is also similar to that given to Ahithophel so that his advice was quite beneficial and regarded as a message from God as we read in 2 Samuel 16:23
Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel’s advice.
The point is that the gift described as “message of wisdom” involves providing information that will lead a believer or the local church of Christ to function wisely.
The second gift concerning communication that is often given orally is the message of knowledge as we read in 1 Corinthians 12:8 the message of knowledge. It is, of course, difficult to determine the relationship of this gift to the one that precedes other than stating that both are involved with communication or utterance since the Greek word translated “message” is used in connection with both.
Anyway, the word “knowledge” is translated from a Greek word (gnōsis) that may mean the content of what is known, as the word is used in 2 Corinthians 2:14:
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.
The word may mean “knowledge” in the sense of comprehension or intellectual grasp of something as the word is used in 1 Corinthians 8:1:
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
In our passage of 1 Corinthians 12:8, it has the sense of “knowledge,” that is, the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning that here is endowed by God the Holy Spirit with focus on application of the knowledge. Because it is a gift of the Holy Spirit, it is a special kind of comprehension or intellectual grasp of something or information.
What is this gift described as the message of knowledge? To begin with, the phrase the message of knowledge may be interpreted either as a message that is characterized by knowledge or message that leads to knowledge. There is a sense that the two interpretations are saying essentially the same thing. For if a person has a message that is characterized by knowledge, then when the individual delivers that message, it will lead to the hearers to have the same knowledge that the messenger has. Thus, there is no significant difference between the two. The gift is that ability that the Holy Spirit gives so that a person will have an unusual understanding of the word of God to be passed on to others for their spiritual benefits. Consequently, this gift is primarily given to those who are responsible for the spiritual advancement of believers. We say this because, Apostle Paul conveyed that he was appointed an apostle to help further the knowledge of the elect, among others, as we read in Titus 1:1:
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—
The apostle here indicates that God appointed him to that office so to lead many to the faith in Christ and to spiritual advancement through knowledge of Christian doctrines that would result in spiritual growth of believers. So, we contend that the gift of message of knowledge is primarily for those who have the responsibility of communicating truth to believers to cause them to grow spiritually. The knowledge that such individuals should communicate should cause believers to become knowledgeable about the will of God as implied in Colossians 1:9:
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
The point we are emphasizing is that the gift of message of knowledge is that special ability that the Holy Spirit grants to some individuals so they would be able to pass on to others truth from God either directly as was the case with those who wrote the Scripture or indirectly through illumination of the mind of those who have the gift of teaching the word of God to other believers. By the way, because the gift of message of knowledge is given to those who are to communicate God’s word to others, we can assert that a person with the first gift of wisdom would also have the gift of message of knowledge.
Be that as it may, the apostle emphasized that both the message of wisdom and message of knowledge exist because of the same Holy Spirit as conveyed in the last phrase of 1 Corinthians 12:8 by means of the same Spirit. Literally, the Greek reads according to the same Spirit. This is because the expression “by means of” of the NIV is translated from a Greek preposition (kata) that may be used to introduce the norm that governs something so has the meaning “according to” and in some context may mean “because of” or “on the basis of.” However, in our context, it has the sense of providing means of something or the agency of something. Thus, the translation of the NIV by means of the same Spirit is a good way of translating it in that it conveys that the existence of the two gifts we are considering are brought about by the Holy Spirit. Anyway, the phrase by means of the same Spirit is a reminder that no spiritual gift regardless of how one may think of it is not from God, especially the Holy Spirit so that no one should look down on others because they do not have their own kind of spiritual gift. It is true that the focus regarding the spiritual gifts we have considered is on the Holy Spirit, but we should be aware that wisdom and knowledge are gifts from God as implied in Daniel 2:21:
He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
The pronoun “He” refers to God mentioned in Daniel 2:20:
and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
The point is that spiritual gifts must be recognized as coming from the Triune God. Anyway, let me end by reminding you of the message we are considering that is There are several spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit gave for the benefit of the church.