The list is as follows:
| PROPHECY | Divinely inspired teaching (reproof, admonish, comfort, reveal) designed to make known His will and purposes to influence |
| MINISTERING | “Serving” from Gr. diakonian translated “deacon” |
| TEACHING | Skilled in providing meaning, context, and application of the Word |
| EXHORTATION | “Encouragement” describes the consistent reminders given to heed God’s Word and follow it. Involves correction, edifying by strengthening weak faith and comforting in trials |
| DISCERNING SPIRITS | Ability to distinguish a true messenger from God from the false teacher and deceiver (cf. 1 John 4:1) |
| GIVING/”CONTRIBUTES” | Sharing goods, money & time to meet the needs of others |
| LEADERSHIP | Describes those who preside the spiritual care of God’s people; means “a guide,” i.e., leads by providing an example |
| MERCY | May describe those who are compassionate, showing sympathy and sensitivity to lessen the pain and provide hope |
| Word of Wisdom | One of the speaking gifts, skilled in discerning and applying the Word to situations of life (cf. Eph. 1:17) |
| Word of Knowledge | A speaking gift that involves the understanding of divine revelation |
| FAITH | This is either the immediate dependency on God, given the evidence, or the trust in God without the need for evidence. |
| HEALING | This is a reference to the miraculous healing of the sick |
| MIRACLE WORKING | Performing supernatural feats that can only be attributed to God |
| TONGUE SPEAKING | Speaking a language unknown to the speaker to confirm the message as being from God; the gift authenticated the message and those who preached it. |
| INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES | Can interpret the language, even though the language is unknown and communicate so all could understand. |
| HELPS | Closely related to “service” and “mercy,” they can assist by identifying those who are struggling |
This chart is taken from all three passages, rather than one text. Therefore, some are broader headings under which more specific gifts fall. For example, following 1 Corinthians 12:27-30, we have apostles, prophets, and teachers that would include exhortation and the word of wisdom and knowledge. These would all be “speaking gifts” that fit the broad category of teaching. We must qualify this further by putting forth the thought that the gifts of Ephesians 4 are not spiritual gifts, as such. These are special gifts of revelation that would provide a solid foundation against the cunning devices of men who pervert the truth.
An apostle that is listed in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 has many miraculous powers, but his primary role is that of teaching. The leader/shepherd is one who teaches, but he may also be gifted with other helps, such as showing mercy, discerning of spirits, or healing (cf. James 5:14). Tongues are a speaking gift, like teaching, but it also fits the category of a miracle worker because it provided a sign for the unbeliever (1 Corinthians 14:22). Together, they form a complete package that met the needs and work of first-century Christians.
Wisdom (σοφία), understanding (σύνεσις), and knowledge (γνῶσις/ ἐπίγνωσις) are important concepts that are found throughout Colossians and Ephesians (cf. Colossians (1:28; 2:2–3; 3:16; 4:5). Wisdom and understanding (and revelation [ἀποκάλυψις]) are even more unambiguously linked to the Spirit with its use of the noun πνεῦμα. The Spirit’s presence in Colossians 1:9 carries the meaning of the wisdom and understanding that comes from the Spirit (ἐν πάσῃ σοφίᾳ καὶ συνέσει πνευματικῇ). The parallel text of Ephesians 1:17 reads, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.” These words are tied to the Holy Spirit for their origin. For example, 1 Corinthians 12:8 lists both σοφία and γνῶσις as χαρίσματα or πνευματικά gave and distributed by the Spirit as He wills (12:11). In an undisputed Pauline letter, he contrasts true wisdom and knowledge from that which originates with a man (1 Cor. 2:6-16). Colossians 3:16 and its parallel in Ephesians 5:19 addresses the topic of singing and the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs were guided by the Holy Spirit. Colossians 3:16 reads,
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (ESV)
Ephesians 5:18-19 reads,
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, (ESV)
Eph 5:19 as an explicit reference to the Spirit who inspires the speaking (λαλοῦντες) or singing (ᾄδοντες) and plucking (ψάλλοντες) of the three types of songs. Grammatically, the three songs function as instrumental datives, indicating how the action(s) of the participle(s) is/are accomplished. Based on the structure of the Greek sentence, πνευματικαῖς could modify all three types of songs. 65 Paul contrast the one filled with wine and the one filled with the Spirit. Both are under a strong influence and produce and produce an excess from the norm but with very different results. The former produces “dissipation” (NASV) and the pattern of words from a loose tongue. Such words may be in the form of a song or not but the contrast is the words of a “spirit-filled” person. The spirit-filled person uses songs to teach and admonish other saints. Paul connects the act of singing and praying to the Spirit’s influence in 1 Corinthians 14:15. The Greek word used for singing here is ψάλλω, which is the verbal cognate of the noun ψαλμός used in Col 3:16. By comparing the parallel account in Ephesians 5:19, the “indwelling” of the word of Christ is the same idea as “filling” in Ephesians 5:18-19.[1] The indwelling of the word is made possible through the filling of the Holy Spirit. When it comes to communication, whether in talking to God (prayer) or other saints (admonishing one another), the Holy Spirit provided the words. It may come through prayers, prophecies, or songs. In any case, the content of the words is determined by the Holy Spirit. These are not songs written by Fanny Crosby. They are penned by the Holy Spirit. Agreeing with Barth, Blanke, and Soderlund, Warrington comments, “Paul is not referring to Christian choruses as opposed to secular songs of the theater or folk songs. He is describing an outpouring of the Spirit, through the believers, of worship to God. One of the Spirit’s roles is to inspire new songs and motivate believers to sing praises to God.”[2]
The Holy Spirit’s work was a promise in the last days that would come before the great and terrible day of the Lord – an event tied to the second coming of Christ. Another condition of the last days was the promise of truth perverters and persecution of saints. 2 Timothy 3:1 reads,
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, …
2 Peter 3:3 reads,
Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
So, while these gifts existed in the last days, during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, His work and the spiritual gifts granted in those days ended with the great and terrible day of the Lord.
[1] Fee, God’s Empowering Presence, 642–643
[2] (Discovering the Holy Spirit, 170).