19. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are divine empowerments given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the building up of the Body of Christ and to fulfill God’s purposes on the earth. These gifts are described in several New Testament passages and include both speaking gifts (like prophecy and tongues) and serving gifts (like healing and miracles). Christian denominations vary in their interpretation of whether these gifts continue today (continuationism) or ceased after the apostolic age (cessationism).

Scriptures for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (with interpretation):

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 (KJV) – “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal… To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits…”
Interpretation: This passage lists specific spiritual gifts and teaches that they are given by the Spirit to benefit the entire Church. It supports the idea that spiritual gifts are intended to be active among all believers.
Romans 12:6-8 (KJV) – “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us… let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith…”
Interpretation: Paul affirms that believers possess different spiritual gifts by grace and encourages their faithful use. This implies the ongoing functionality and value of these gifts in Christian ministry.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV) – “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets… For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry…”
Interpretation: Spiritual roles and gifts were given by Christ for the growth and maturity of the Church. The passage indicates that these gifts are necessary for the Church’s ongoing health.
Acts 2:4 (KJV) – “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Interpretation: The Day of Pentecost demonstrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the giving of spiritual gifts like tongues, suggesting that such manifestations are part of the Spirit’s work.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV) – “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
Interpretation: Paul encourages believers to seek after spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. This affirms the value and operation of gifts in the Church.
Mark 16:17-18 (KJV) – “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues…”
Interpretation: Jesus promises that miraculous signs, including gifts of the Spirit, will follow believers, suggesting these gifts were not limited to the Apostolic age.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 (KJV) – “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings.”
Interpretation: Believers are warned not to suppress the work of the Holy Spirit or reject prophecy, implying its importance and legitimacy in the life of the Church.
1 Corinthians 1:7 (KJV) – “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Interpretation: Paul commends the Corinthian church for possessing spiritual gifts as they await Christ’s return, suggesting the gifts are to continue until that time.

Scriptures against or interpreted as suggesting cessation of Gifts (with interpretation):

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (KJV) – “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail… when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”
Interpretation: Some understand “that which is perfect” as the completed New Testament, arguing that spiritual gifts ceased once Scripture was complete.
Hebrews 2:3-4 (KJV) – “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders… according to his own will?”
Interpretation: This passage connects signs and miracles with the original witnesses of Christ. Some interpret it to mean the miraculous gifts were mainly for confirming the apostolic message.
2 Timothy 4:20 (KJV) – “But Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.”
Interpretation: Paul, despite being an apostle, did not heal Trophimus, which some interpret as evidence that healing was no longer a normative or guaranteed gift.
1 Timothy 5:23 (KJV) – “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake…”
Interpretation: Instead of healing Timothy through spiritual means, Paul advises a natural remedy, which some see as showing a diminishing of divine healing gifts.
Matthew 7:22-23 (KJV) – “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord… and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you…”
Interpretation: Jesus warns that miraculous works can be performed by those not truly saved. This passage cautions against equating gifts with genuine faith.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (KJV) – “I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me… My grace is sufficient for thee…”
Interpretation: Paul was not healed despite his prayers, suggesting that miraculous healing was not always God’s will, and possibly that gifts were not permanently active.
Revelation 22:18 (KJV) – “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues…”
Interpretation: This is sometimes used to argue that new prophecy or revelation (a spiritual gift) is forbidden after the canon of Scripture was completed.
Zechariah 13:2 (KJV) – “I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.”
Interpretation: Some apply this prophetically, suggesting a future time (possibly the Church age) when prophecy and spiritual manifestations would cease.

Interpretations Hebrew And Greek

The doctrine of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is central to understanding the spiritual empowerment of believers. The biblical languages—Hebrew and Greek—play a crucial role in interpreting this doctrine, particularly regarding the New Testament writings. A comprehensive analysis of the Hebrew and Greek terms used in Scripture related to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit will help unpack the meaning, accuracy, and potential issues in translation.

Hebrew Background: Old Testament and the Spirit’s Gifts

The Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament, do not speak explicitly of “spiritual gifts” in the same manner as the New Testament, but the idea of the Spirit empowering individuals is present. The term “ruach” (ר֫וּחַ) is used throughout the Old Testament to refer to “spirit,” “wind,” or “breath.” This term represents both the life-giving force of God and the specific empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 31:3 (KJV) – “And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.”
Interpretation: The Spirit here is described as empowering Bezalel for the construction of the Tabernacle. This instance is an early example of the Spirit enabling individuals for specific tasks, which parallels the New Testament gifts of wisdom and craftsmanship.
Numbers 11:25 (KJV) – “And the Lord came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.”
Interpretation: The gifting of the Spirit for prophecy is seen in this passage. The Spirit empowers the elders to prophesy, similar to the spiritual gift of prophecy in the New Testament.

In the Hebrew Bible, the empowering of individuals for service or specific tasks is recognized, but the full understanding of “spiritual gifts” as described in the New Testament is not present. The Hebrew Scriptures lay a foundational idea of the Spirit as an enabler, which is expanded upon in the Greek New Testament.

Greek Background: New Testament and the Spirit’s Gifts

The New Testament expands on the idea of spiritual empowerment by introducing specific gifts given by the Holy Spirit to believers for service and edification of the Church. Understanding the Greek words used in the New Testament is crucial for grasping the full scope of spiritual gifts.

The Greek word “charisma” (χάρισμα) is the key term in the New Testament for “gift” and is used specifically for spiritual gifts. The root word “charis” (χάρις) means “grace,” thus a “charisma” is a gift of grace, a divine enablement for service.

Romans 12:6 (KJV) – “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.”
Interpretation: The term “gifts” here is charismata, referring to spiritual gifts given by God’s grace. This passage introduces the idea that the gifts differ from person to person, and their purpose is to serve the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (KJV) – “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit… to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy…”
Interpretation: This passage gives a detailed list of spiritual gifts and uses the term “charismata” (gifts) to describe them. The text emphasizes the diversity of gifts but the unity of the Spirit who gives them.
1 Corinthians 12:28 (KJV) – “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings…”
Interpretation: The “gifts” mentioned here are spiritual functions that God places in the Church for its growth and order. The use of “charisma” again highlights the divine origin and purpose of these gifts.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (KJV) – “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
Interpretation: The Greek word for “spiritual gifts” is “pneumatikos” (πνευματικός), meaning “of the Spirit” or “spiritual.” Paul encourages believers to earnestly desire the gifts of the Spirit, with prophecy being especially desirable.

The Greek language emphasizes the diversity and grace-filled nature of the gifts, which are given for the edification of the Church. The term “pneumatikos” stresses that these gifts are not of human origin but are enabled by the Holy Spirit.

Translation Issues and Problems in Greek Texts

The accuracy of Greek translations, particularly in the context of spiritual gifts, can be a point of contention among scholars and theologians. While modern translations like the KJV, NIV, and ESV seek to convey the meaning of the original Greek, there are some nuances in the language that may influence the interpretation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

“Charisma” vs. “Dorea”
Both “charisma” and “dorea” (δώρημα) are translated as “gift” in English, but “charisma” specifically refers to spiritual gifts of grace, while “dorea” often refers to a gift given freely, such as God’s gift of eternal life. Understanding the distinction between these two words helps clarify the nature of spiritual gifts as something given freely by God’s grace, as opposed to a general gift or favor.
- Romans 5:15 (KJV) – “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace…”
  Interpretation: The word “dorea” is used here to refer to the free gift of God’s grace. While similar, charisma in the context of spiritual gifts highlights a divine enablement with a specific purpose.
“Pneumatikos” vs. “Physis”
The Greek term “pneumatikos” refers to things that pertain to the Spirit, while “physis” (φύσις) refers to nature or the natural order. When translating terms like “spiritual gifts,” the distinction between the spiritual (empowered by the Holy Spirit) and the natural (human abilities) is significant. In some translations, the failure to distinguish between these can lead to confusion about whether a spiritual gift is truly supernatural or just a natural ability.
Cultural Context and Influence
The Greek-speaking early Christians lived in a Hellenistic world that valued oratory, wisdom, and charismatic leadership. Thus, when translating the gifts of the Holy Spirit, modern scholars must consider how the early Church viewed these gifts in contrast to the cultural understanding of “charisma” in Greek society, which often referred to gifts of eloquence, rhetoric, or political power.

Challenges with Modern Translations

Overemphasis on Certain Gifts
In some translations, particularly in charismatic circles, there is a tendency to overemphasize certain gifts (such as speaking in tongues or prophecy), potentially at the expense of others, like service or teaching. The focus on emotional gifts can sometimes overshadow the edification aspect that Paul emphasizes, leading to imbalances in practice.
Translation of “Prophecy”
The gift of prophecy is one area that is often debated. The Greek word “propheteia” (προφητεία) can refer to both foretelling the future and speaking forth God’s message. Some translations may lean more heavily toward one interpretation over the other, affecting how the gift is understood in contemporary contexts.
Cessationist vs. Continuationist Views
The issue of whether spiritual gifts ceased after the Apostolic Age (cessationism) or continue today (continuationism) is influenced by the translation of key passages. The translation of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (KJV), which speaks of gifts “failing” when that which is “perfect” comes, is a point of contention, with some interpreting “perfect” as the completion of the biblical canon, while others view it as the return of Christ. This results in different theological frameworks depending on the translation and interpretation of these passages.

Summary

The doctrine of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit is deeply rooted in both the Hebrew and Greek biblical texts. In the Hebrew Bible, the term “ruach” is used to describe the Spirit’s empowering presence, but the specific notion of spiritual gifts is more fully developed in the Greek New Testament. The Greek terms “charisma” and “pneumatikos” emphasize the divine origin and spiritual nature of these gifts, given for the edification of the Church. Translation issues, particularly concerning the words for “gift” and “spiritual,” can lead to variations in understanding the gifts, especially in the context of cessationism vs. continuationism debates. While modern translations strive for accuracy, the nuanced differences between Greek and English, as well as cultural and theological influences, can impact the interpretation of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Understanding the historical, linguistic, and theological factors surrounding these translations is crucial for a full appreciation of the doctrine.

Denominational Views

1. Roman Catholic Church

View: The Roman Catholic Church believes in the continuing presence of spiritual gifts but with an emphasis on the sacraments as the primary means of grace. Charismatic gifts are acknowledged but are subordinated to Church authority.

For (Continuing Gifts):

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (KJV) – “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal… To another the working of miracles…”
Interpretation: The Greek word “charisma” (χάρισμα), meaning “gift,” emphasizes the divine grace given to believers through the Holy Spirit. This supports the Catholic view of ongoing gifts for the edification of the Church.