Spiritual Gift Definitions

1. Administration (1 Cor. 12:28)

The gift of Administration is given by God to certain individuals in order to steer the body toward remaining on task. Believers with this gift greatly assists the body to organize according to God-given purposes and long-term goals (1 Cor. 12:28).

2. Apostle (Eph. 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28)

The gift of Apostleship is given by God to certain individuals in order to be sent out from the local church in order to plant new churches and/or be missionaries. Apostles inspire and motivate the Body of Christ to keep their eyes upon the Great Commission.

3. Discernment (1 Cor. 12:10)

The gift of Discernment is given by God to certain individuals in order to aid the body in recognizing true and false doctrine (Hebrews 5:12-14), and the true intentions of those within or related to the body of Christ. Discernment tests the message and actions of others in order to protect the spiritual health of the church (1 Cor. 12:10)

4. Exhortation (Romans 12:8)

The gift of Exhortation is given by God to certain individuals in order to bring encouragement, comfort, and also rebuke, for the purpose of allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to each one of us so that we can become all that God wants us to be (Romans 12:8).

5. Evangelism (Eph. 4:11)

The gift of Evangelism is given by God to certain individuals in order to use these individuals to spread the gospel (Romans 10:15), and to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph. 4:11-12).

6. Faith (Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 12:8-10)

The gift of Faith is given by God to certain individuals to trust in God’s faithfulness and provision to a greater capacity, while at the same time have a greater capacity in believing that nothing is ever impossible for God (Jeremiah 32:17). Those who have this gift inspire others to trust God in any and all situations of life, even when they are facing the most hopeless of situations (1 Cor. 12:8-10).

7. Giving (Romans 12:8)

The gift of Giving is given by God to certain individuals for the purpose of having them share what material resources they might have with liberality and cheerfully without thought of return (Romans 12:8)

8. Healing (1 Cor. 12:9, 28, 30)

The gift of Healing is given by God to certain individuals in order to use them to heal others who are suffering physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually (1 Cor. 12:9, 28, 30).

9. Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9-10)

The gift of Hospitality is given by God to certain individuals in order to welcome people, even strangers, into their home. They are people who feel burdened to make sure those who are in need have clothes on their back, food in their belly, and a roof over their head (1 Peter 4:9-10).

10. Knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8)

The gift of Knowledge is given by God to certain individuals in order to help strengthen and equip the Body of Christ. It is the God-given ability to learn, know, and explain the truths of God’s Word (1 Corinthians 12:8).

11. Leadership (Romans 12:8)

The gift of Leadership is given by God to certain individuals in order to lead and direct God’s people toward God’s purposes for their lives as individuals, and towards God’s purposes for the church. The Bible exhorts all who have been given the gift of leadership to “lead with diligence” (Romans 12:8).

12. Mercy (Romans 12:8)

The gift of Mercy is given by God to certain individuals in order to express comforting compassion to those who are suffering in any capacity. They feel genuine sympathy for other peoples suffering and seek to bring comfort and help to those who are hurting (Romans 12:8).

13. Miracles (1 Cor. 12:10, 28)

The gift of Miracles is given by God to certain individuals whom God enables under certain circumstances to perform supernatural deeds which witnesses acknowledge to be of supernatural origin, and ultimately point people to Jesus.

14. Pastor (Eph. 4:11)

The gift of Pastor is given by God to certain individuals who are responsible for spiritually protecting, feeding, leading, and equipping believers who have been entrusted to their care (cf. John 21:15-17; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

15. Prophecy (Rom. 12:6; 1 Cor. 14:3; Eph. 4:11)

The gift of Prophecy is given by God to certain individuals in order to speak the truths of God’s Word into the hearts of God’s people in order to edify, exhort, and to comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). A prophet is one who is bold in proclaiming God's Word, and would rather be ridiculed for speaking out on behalf of the Lord than to remain silent and allow errant teaching or living continue.

16. Service/Helps (Romans 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28)

The gift of Service/Helps is given by God to certain individuals in order to allow others to experience the love of God through random acts of kindness. Those who have this gift seem to always have the eyes to see the needs of others and various tasks that need to be completed. These individuals joyfully give of their time, resources, and physical labor in order to meet the needs of others (Romans 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28)

17. Teaching (Romans 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11)

The gift of Teaching is given by God to certain individuals in order to instruct believers in the truths and doctrines of God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15), for the purposes of helping them mature into a godly man or woman (2 Timothy 3:16-17), in order to build them up, unify them, and mature the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:7; Ephesians 4:11).

18. Tongues (1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27-28; Acts 2:4-8)

The gift of Tongues was given by God to certain individuals in order to supernaturally speak in a human language that had not been learned prior by the individual, in order to be a supernatural undeniable sign from God to the person being spoken to (Acts 2:4-8). Paul clearly states in 1 Corinthians 14:22, that the gift of "tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers."

When discussing spiritual gifts, tongues are a very controversial subject. There are those who believe this gift "ceased" after the New Testament church era was over. They contend that it is not a "private prayer language", as many within our modern church demographic believe. Instead they argue that tongues are like all spiritual gifts, and were given by God for us to serve one another with, and to edify the body of Christ (cf. 1 Peter 4:10). However, when looking over the "spiritual gifts" inventory list, we realize that not all of our spiritual gifts are mutually exclusive for the body of Christ. For example, the gift of evangelism has a greater purpose than simply equipping the saints for the work of evangelism (cf. Eph. 4:11-12). It's greater purpose is to share the gospel with the lost (cf. 2 Timothy 4:5). The gift of service/helps, hospitality, mercy, faith, giving, etc., can all be used by believers to help reach the lost. 

On the other side of this subject matter are millions of believers who profess to have this mysterious prayer language (1 Cor. 14:2), which they believe is meant to edify themselves in their prayer closet with God (1 Cor. 14:4), through communing with God in this unique way (1 Cor. 14:14). Because it is a gift, not all believers will be given the gift of tongues, just like not all believers are given the gift of "pastor".  

It's hard to imagine that the testimony of the multitude of believers who claim this gift are mistaken. It's also hard to understand why God would give gifts to the church, and then revoke them. But because not "all" have the gift of speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 12:30), I am sure this subject will remain somewhat controversial until the return of Jesus.

19. Tongues Interpretation (1 Cor. 12:10; 14:27-28)

The gift of Interpretation of Tongues is given by God to certain individuals in order to translate the message of someone who has spoken in tongues (1 Cor. 14:27-28).

20. Wisdom (1 Cor. 12:8)

The gift of Wisdom is given by God to certain individuals in order to apply knowledge to life in such a way as to make spiritual truths relevant and practical in a persons life, and to ensure proper decision-making in daily life situations (1 Cor. 12:8).

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