What Are the Spiritual Gifts in the Bible
The "gifts of the Spirit," often called spiritual gifts, are actually listed three times in the Bible. The spiritual gifts are mainly described in three passages: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and 1 Corinthians 12:28. Although Ephesians 4:11 may be included as well, it is a list of church functions rather than spiritual gifts themselves.
Romans 12 lists the spiritual gifts as follows: mercy, leadership, prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, and giving. Wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous gifts, prophecy, the ability to discern between spirits, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues are all listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Healings, assistance, governments, and varieties of tongues are all part of the list in 1 Corinthians 12:28.
Types of Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are often grouped into three main categories based on their purpose and function in the church. These categories help us understand how the gifts operate and how they contribute to the body of Christ.
1. Motivational Gifts (Romans 12:6-8)
These gifts shape a believer’s perspective and motivation for serving in the church. They influence how we see the world, respond to needs, and interact with others.
- Prophecy – Declaring God’s truth boldly.
- Service (Helps/Ministering) – Meeting practical needs with love.
- Teaching – Explaining and clarifying biblical truths.
- Exhortation (Encouragement) – Strengthening and motivating others in faith.
- Giving – Generously supporting God’s work.
- Leadership (Administration) – Organizing and guiding others toward a goal.
- Mercy – Compassion for the hurting and suffering.
2. Ministry (Office) Gifts (Ephesians 4:11)
These gifts are roles or callings within the church, given to equip and build up believers.
- Apostleship – Pioneering and establishing churches.
- Prophets – Speaking divine messages for encouragement and correction.
- Evangelism – Sharing the gospel effectively.
- Shepherding (Pastoring) – Caring for and guiding believers.
- Teaching – Instructing and disciplining believers in the Word.
3. Manifestation (Miraculous) Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
These are supernatural gifts that demonstrate God’s power and presence in the church.
- Word of Wisdom – Supernatural insight for applying knowledge.
- Word of Knowledge – Revealing divine truth beyond human understanding.
- Faith – Extraordinary trust in God for miracles and provision.
- Healing – Miraculous restoration of health.
- Miracles – Supernatural acts beyond natural laws.
- Prophecy – Inspired messages from God for edification.
- Discernment (Distinguishing Spirits) – Identifying spiritual influences.
- Tongues – Speaking in unknown languages by the Spirit.
- Interpretation of Tongues – Explaining messages spoken in tongues.
Other Gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Some scholars and denominations recognize additional gifts not explicitly listed in the above passages but supported by Scripture.
- Hospitality (Romans 12:13, 1 Peter 4:9) – Welcoming and serving others with love.
- Intercession (1 Timothy 2:1, James 5:16) – A special calling to pray persistently for others.
- Craftsmanship (Exodus 31:3-5) – Using artistic and practical skills for God’s glory.
- Music/Worship (1 Chronicles 25:1-7, Colossians 3:16) – Leading people into God’s presence through music.
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List of 16 Spiritual Gifts in the Bible
You will notice that the number of gifts from God can vary depending on the source you check. This is because different Christian traditions, denominations, and scholars interpret the Bible’s teachings on spiritual gifts differently. It’s also because there are multiple lists of spiritual gifts, and they don’t always overlap.
Here is our comprehensive spiritual gifts list:
1. The Gift of Administration
The gift of administration is the ability to organize and manage tasks efficiently, helping a group or organization achieve its goals. People with this gift are great at planning, coordinating, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. They pay attention to details and can break down big ideas into actionable steps. Unlike leaders who focus on vision, administrators focus on execution. This gift is essential in churches, ministries, and other organizations to keep things structured and effective. Those with this gift are often behind the scenes, making sure everything is working properly so others can focus on their unique roles.
2. The Gift of Apostleship
Apostleship is the power to start new ministries, often in places where people don't know about Jesus' message yet. Today's gift is not the same as the apostles' original job. Jesus personally picked apostles like Peter and Paul. Today, apostles are missionaries, people who start new churches, and leaders who build spiritual groups. They're brave, ready to take chances, and really want to spread the Gospel. They train and support others, and a lot of the time they travel and work with people from other cultures to bring people together in faith and build strong bases for future generations.
3. The Gift of Discernment
Discernment is the ability to recognize truth from falsehood, distinguishing between influences from God, the world, and even deceitful spirits. People with this gift can sense when something is spiritually off, even when others don’t notice. They help protect individuals and churches from being led astray by false teachings or harmful decisions. Those with discernment often feel a deep responsibility to guide others toward what is right and true. This gift is crucial for leadership, counseling, and mentoring, as it helps people make wise decisions and remain faithful to God’s guidance in a world full of mixed messages.
4. The Gift of Evangelism
Evangelism is the ability to effectively share the message of Jesus with others. While all Christians are called to share their faith, those with this gift have a special passion and skill for it. They can communicate the Gospel clearly and compellingly, often leading people to faith. Evangelists are bold and persistent, not easily discouraged by rejection. They often feel a deep burden for those who don’t know Jesus and seek out opportunities to introduce them to God’s love. Whether in conversations, sermons, or outreach efforts, evangelists bring hope to those who need it most.
5. The Gift of Exhortation
The exhortation is the gift of encouraging and motivating others to grow in their faith and remain steadfast in difficult times. Those with this gift uplift people through words, reminding them of God’s promises and calling them to action. Whether through personal conversations, writing, or public speaking, they inspire others to trust in God, overcome challenges, and stay faithful. Exhorters are often great mentors, counselors, and friends, always ready to offer hope, wisdom, and a listening ear. They help people see the bigger picture and press forward with courage and determination.
6. The Gift of Faith
Faith as a spiritual gift goes beyond basic belief—it is an extraordinary trust in God’s power and promises. People with this gift have unwavering confidence that God will work things out, even in impossible situations. Their faith inspires and strengthens those around them, encouraging others to trust God as well. They are the ones who pray with deep conviction and take bold steps based on their trust in God’s guidance. This gift helps churches and individuals remain hopeful, reminding them that God is in control and capable of doing more than they could ever imagine.
7. The Gift of Giving
Giving is the ability and desire to share resources generously and joyfully. People with this gift don’t give out of obligation but out of a sincere love for God and others. They often go above and beyond to support ministries, missions, and people in need. They are wise stewards of their finances and find joy in meeting the needs of others, whether through money, time, or possessions. Those with this gift don’t seek recognition; they simply love helping others and trust that God will continue to provide so they can keep giving.
8. The Gift of Healing
Healing is a gift where God works through someone to restore health and wholeness to others. This can be physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Those with this gift pray boldly for healing and trust that God’s power is at work. While not everyone is healed immediately, those with this gift continue to intercede and believe in God’s ability to restore. This gift brings hope and comfort to the suffering, pointing them toward God’s love and compassion. Healing is ultimately about drawing people closer to Jesus, the ultimate healer.
9. The Gift of Interpretation
The skill of interpreting tongues means being able to understand and translate divine messages. An interpreter tells others what someone is saying when they talk in tongues. Messages will be clear and helpful for everyone with this gift. Along with the gift of tongues, interpretation helps the church grow and be stronger. This gift gives the bearer a strong link with the Holy Spirit and the ability to understand what others may not.
10. The Gift of Knowledge
Knowledge means being able to understand and share deep spiritual truths. People who have this gift love to learn and study the Bible. They often find spiritual truths that help other Christians grow. They are very good at showing how different parts of the Bible relate to each other and to everyday life. This gift allows people to provide wisdom and guidance to others, helping them see things from God’s perspective. Knowledge is not just about facts—it’s about using truth to build up and strengthen others.
11. The Gift of Leadership
Leadership is the ability to guide and inspire people toward a shared vision. Those with this gift lead by example, making wise decisions and motivating others to grow in their faith. They don’t seek power or control but instead serve with humility and integrity. Great leaders help people discover their own gifts and use them for God’s work. They take responsibility, provide direction, and foster unity in the community. Leadership is about empowering others and guiding them toward God’s purpose.
12. The Gift of Mercy
Mercy is the ability to show deep compassion and care for those who are hurting. People with this gift are drawn to those in pain and are quick to offer comfort and support. They listen without judgment and help others find healing and hope. Mercy-givers are patient, kind, and sensitive to people’s needs, reflecting God’s love in tangible ways. Whether helping the poor, visiting the sick, or encouraging the brokenhearted, their presence brings peace and reassurance to those who are struggling.
13. The Gift of Miracles
Miracles are supernatural acts of God that go beyond natural explanations. Those with this gift see extraordinary things happen—whether healings, deliverances, or divine interventions. They trust God for the impossible and pray with great faith. Miracles reveal God’s power and encourage people to believe in Him. While not always predictable, miracles remind us that God is active in the world and capable of changing lives in ways we cannot comprehend.
14. The Gift of Teaching
Teaching is the ability to explain God’s Word in a way that people understand and apply to their lives. Those with this gift love to study and share what they’ve learned. They make complex ideas simple and practical, helping others grow in faith. Teaching is not just about knowledge—it’s about transformation. A good teacher doesn’t just inform; they inspire and equip others to live according to God’s truth.
15. The Gift of Tongues
Tongues is the ability to speak in a language unknown to the speaker, often for prayer or worship. It is a personal way to connect with God or can be used publicly with interpretation. This gift builds up the individual and, when interpreted, strengthens the whole church. It is a reminder that God’s Spirit moves in powerful and sometimes mysterious ways.
16. The Gift of Wisdom
Wisdom is being able to use what you know and understand in a way that makes good choices. People who have this gift can see things clearly and give advice that is in line with God's truth. They help people deal with problems and make decisions that are good in God's eyes. Wisdom helps people and groups stay on the right road by bringing peace, clarity, and direction.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about spiritual gifts and what each represents, you can reflect on your divine purpose. Through prayer and introspection, you can discover what it is that you can do and are doing to bless others.
