Translation from one language to another can be fraught with challenges, especially when almost two thousand years separate the origin text and the translation. Such is the case when translating the Bible from Greek to English.

One of the interesting words, or series of words, which cause difficulty for Bible translators, are the nine words which in the New Testament which are together translated as “gifts.” However, compared to the Sami peoples of northern Finland who have literally hundreds of words for the English ‘snow’, nine seems quite manageable.

We shall now look at one of these nine words, which is ’charisma,’ from which we get charismatic. Both charisma and charismatic come from the same root word ‘charis,’ which in the New Testament is usually translated as ‘grace’. The secular Greek translation for charis is ‘beauty’ or ‘gracefulness’ which adds wonderfully to the understanding of a God, who, when we are in Christ, sees us as beautiful.

Thus we find that:

Charis	Root	Grace
Charisma	Specific manifestation	A manifestation of Grace
Charismata	Plural of charisma	Multiple manifestations of Grace

We therefore can see that the ‘gifts’ which God gives us are by his grace and His grace only. They are not earned, and cannot be earned, for anything which can be earned is by definition, not grace. This is a problem for many Christians, especially those who come from a long Christian tradition where duty is high on the agenda as a Christian trait. They do all the right things, they are conscientious, they pray, they read the bible and attend church but never taste grace, because they think they need to be good enough. This is wrong thinking. It is also wrong thinking to see the gifts which God gives as toys or play things, or worst still, not to accept them or use them when they are given.

As Ephesians 4:11-12 confirms, God has given each Christian a specific job to do and He has given each of us exactly the right tools to do the job, so that we can operate and be successful in the Spirit, not the flesh. For Christians who are operating outside their own calling, they are effectively working in the flesh, or at most augmenting the flesh, with inappropriate gifts. This leads to burnout and a lack of success, for this is not work within God’s will. To be successful, the two have to be correctly wed; we need people who are called to the job, doing the job they want, with the tools God gifted them for that job.

The purpose of God’s gifting of His special graces for us, is that we can then succeed in our calling. A calling He has specifically designated for each of us individually.

When we talk about the charismatic gifts, the talk and focus is usually on the more dramatic gifts to the almost total exclusion of all others. However, the non-dramatic gifts are equally important in the eyes of God and those who practice them, have less likelihood to suffer from pride and an over-inflated importance and self worth.

The New Testament has many examples of charismata which may be grouped into categories; thus he following list of headings, categories and verses is open to change.

Basic Charismata
	Righteousness	Romans 5:17	For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one, much more they who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ.
	Eternal Life	Romans 6:23	But now, being made free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Personal Charismata
	Celibacy	First Corinthians 7:7	For I would that all men were even as I myself am. But each has his proper gift from God, one according to this manner and another according to that.
Spiritual Charismata
Gifts of Revelations:
	The word of knowledge	First Corinthians 12:8	For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit.
	The word of wisdom	First Corinthians 12:8
	Discerning of spirits	First Corinthians 12:10	and to another workings of powers, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.
Gifts of Power:
	Faith	First Corinthians 12:9	and to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
	Working of Miracles	First Corinthians 12:10	and to another workings of powers, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.
		First Corinthians 12:28	And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.
	Gifts of healings	First Corinthians 12:9	and to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
		First Corinthians 12:28	And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.
Vocal Gifts:
	Kinds of tongues	First Corinthians 12:10	and to another workings of powers, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.
		First Corinthians 12:28	And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.
	Interpretation of tongues	First Corinthians 12:10	and to another workings of powers, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.
		First Corinthians 12:30	Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak languages? Do all interpret?
	Prophecy	Romans 12:6	Then having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;
Ministry Charismata
Persons:
	Apostles	Ephesians 4:11	And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
		First Corinthians 12:28	And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.
	Prophets	Ephesians 4:11	And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
		First Corinthians 12:28	And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.
	Evangelists	Ephesians 4:11	And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
	Pastors / Shepherds	Ephesians 4:11	And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
	Teachers	Ephesians 4:11	And truly He gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
		Romans 12:7	or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching;
		First Corinthians 12:28	And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.
Specimens:
	Prophecy	Romans 12:6	Then having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith;
	Ministry / Serving	Romans 12:7	or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching;
		First Peter 4:11	If anyone speaks, let it be as the words of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory, and the might forever and ever. Amen.
	Teaching	Romans 12:7	or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching;
	Exhorting / Encouraging	Romans 12:8	or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who shares, in simplicity; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.
	Leading / Ruling	Romans 12:8	or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who shares, in simplicity; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.
	Showing Mercy	Romans 12:8	or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who shares, in simplicity; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.
	Helps / Assists	First Corinthians 12:28	And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.
	Administrations / Steers	First Corinthians 12:28	And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.
	Hospitality	First Peter 4:9	Be hospitable to one another, without grudging.
	Speaking as God’s Mouthpiece	First Peter 4:11	If anyone speaks, let it be as the words of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory, and the might forever and ever. Amen.

Basic Gifts:

Basic gifts are those gifts which all born-again Christians receive upon becoming Christians. This is based upon Romans 5:11-17, where we understand that these two basic gifts, Righteousness and Eternal Life, are granted to all believers. Romans 4:3 confirms that righteousness is a gift. To have righteousness, we must receive it as a gift imputed to us by the Holy Spirit, on the basis of our faith in Jesus Christ. Similarly, Romans 6:23 tell us that while the wages of sin is death, eternal life is imputed to us a free gift, again on the basis of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Personal Gifts:

Celibacy is a personal gift which we do not work for. It is granted freely when we ask, and we need to be careful what we ask for! As Paul says in First Corinthians 7:7 “I would that all men were even as I myself am. But each has his proper gift from God, one according to this manner and another according to that.” Even this gift may be counterfeited in the flesh as Jesus warns in Matthew 12:19 saying “For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.” Making oneself a eunuch is clearly not the same as receiving the gift of celibacy from God.

The Nine Spiritual Gifts:

The nine spiritual gifts are often seen as the only gifts of the Holy Spirit, but this is not correct and indeed, they are not the only important ones. However, all these nine share three qualities:

• All are manifestations. The Holy Spirit is invisible and through these nine gifts He manifests His presence in ways we can see, or hear or feel.
• They are all for the profit of the whole body of Christ, serving practical purposes and allowing ministering one to another.
• All gifts are supernatural. Faith here, is the gift of faith which goes beyond the initial needs for salvation, and is distinct from the fruit of faithfulness. It is a supernatural faith which produces supernatural results.

The nine gifts can be divided into three groups:

• Revelation: word of knowledge, word of wisdom and distinguishing of spirits. There is little further differentiation given to these gift descriptions in the Bible, and certainly no definitions. In talking about these gifts, we need to agree first exactly what comprises each.
• Power: faith, miracles and healings.
• Vocal: tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy. All these three are spoken gifts.

Note that for miracles, healings, tongues and discerning of spirits, each time they are used in the Bible, they are used only in the plural. This is usually interpreted as one normally having multiple instances of the same gift, each version, for a specific purpose and end use.

The Three Gifts of Revelation:

The Word of Knowledge and The Word of Wisdom:

These generally go together. The word of knowledge tells us something which we otherwise would not, or could not, know in the flesh. The word of wisdom, tells us what to do with that specific information. Knowledge informs while Wisdom directs. Thus in Ecclesiastes 10:10 we read “If the axe is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” Knowledge is that the axe is dull and needs resharpening, while Wisdom is to sharpen the axe now, for effective action.

Discerning of Spirits:

Much Christian ministry is in the spiritual realm and we need to recognise what is against us, at any given time. For as Ephesians 6:12 says “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Unfortunately, the western Church in general has had little or no focus on, or teachings, on the spiritual realm amassed against us.

There are perhaps four purposes for this gift:

1 To remove the veil hiding the spiritual realm.

2 Allows us to see as God sees (First Samuel 16:7).

3 Protects us from Satan’s deception.

4 In diagnosing problems, it helps to know which good or evil sprits are also involved. We need to remember that the enemy has the power to counterfeit God’s works; even when we think we are receiving blessings and all is looking good – it may be a deception and a counterfeit.

The Three Gifts of Power:

Faith:

There are three types of ‘faith’ described in the Bible. The first, as Paul says in Romans 1:17, is that we live by faith in an ongoing and personal relationship with God, The second is a Galatians 5 fruit of the Spirit and relates to character. The power Faith here, is akin to the words of knowledge and wisdom, and is a special supernatural Faith from God, to help us accomplish His purpose in a given situation.

Working of Miracles:

The working of miracles tends to be an instant display of the grace and intervention of God and may be dramatic in form.

Working of Healings:

Like working of miracles, this is a display of the grace and intervention of God, though healings may not all present themselves instantly. Some healings may occur over time.

The Three Vocal Gifts:

Kinds of Tongues:

The word ‘tongues’ here means ‘languages’. This is the supernatural ability to speak in another or other languages, known or unknown, which are unlearnt by the speaker. The gift of tongues = the gift of languages.

Interpretation of Tongues:

This is the supernatural ability to translate or interpret words which are spoken in another language which is unknown to the translator. As Paul says in First Corinthians 14:4-5, “The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.”

Prophecy:

The supernatural ability to speak forth words of edification, which come from God. They do not come from the speaker’s mind or experience, or from the flesh.

Ministry Gifts:

The Five Persons Gifts:

The purpose of these gifts is to build up and mature the Body of Christ. These are the essential five persons, or ministries within the Church: the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. In Ephesians 4:15-16 Paul outlines the four main ministry functions for the Church in which they work:

• To equip believers to do their work,
• To build up the Body,
• To bring all into unity, and
• To produce maturity and completeness.

Apostles:

Apostle means ‘sent forth.’ Apostles provide a foundation for the Church and are the channels of revelation for the Church, as Ephesians 2:20 and Ephesians 3:3-4 attest. Apostles and Prophets together, comprise the primary ministries of the Church, as the revelations for the future of the Church are revealed through them.

Prophets:

A Prophet is one who speaks forth the word of God for the edification of the Body. The prophetic messages from God are specific for time, place and persons and are therefore specific messages, unlike, for examples, the Pastor’s messages, which are general and for all times.

Evangelists:

The word ‘evangelist’ is derived from the Greek word meaning ‘good news’ and are those who are sent out to spread the Good News, or the Gospel of Christ.

They are always on the move, to spread the word and win new souls to Christ.

Pastors / Shepherds:

Interestingly, in the New Testament, the word used for pastors and shepherds is the same: in Greek ποιμήν or poimēn. Indeed, only in Ephesians 4:11 is ‘poimēn’ translated as ‘pastor.’ As a result of this, most Bible readers are unaware that when they read Ephesians 4:11, they are actually reading Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds and Teachers. What this means, is that references to Pastors and Elders within the Bible are references to the same ministry calling: both are shepherds. In bible study, our experiences in the present day Church hierarchy make it difficult for us to correctly interpret the Church of Paul’s time, as the elders were overseers, whose duty was shepherding their Church(s) and collectively were the elders or overseers or bishops of the Church(s).

Teachers:

A teacher is an unfolder of doctrine to God’s people, and a teacher with a ministry gifting is an interpreter of scripture to the Church. The teacher with a ministry gifting teaches to the whole Church, also perhaps in the role of an evangelist or apostle, but certainly, on a large scale. Teachers without the full ministry gifting teach in the local churches.

Teachers work with evangelists, and the teachers ‘water’ the seeds which the evangelists have planted, as First Corinthians 3:6 explains: “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” Apollos was a teacher.

The Eleven Specimen Gifts:

These are gifts which clearly operated in the first century Church and comprise nine listed by Paul in Romans and Corinthians and two more by Peter. They are not exhausting but reflect the typical work manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the early Church.

Three scriptures are useful in helping us understand what these gifts are and realising that we should be seeking these giftings for ourselves today for the serving of the Body of Christ, as our forefathers did in the past:

Romans 12:6-8 “Then having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching; or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who shares, in simplicity; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.”

Fist Corinthians 12:28 “And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.”

First Peter 4:9,11 “Be hospitable to one another, without grudging…… If anyone speaks, let it be as the words of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives.”

Prophecy:

While a person with a prophetic gift is expected to prophecy regularly, the ‘specimen’ gifting means that they are gifted to prophesy only at special times, or perhaps once only for the edification, or building up of the Church. This may be through exhortation (encouragement, stirring up or stimulating) or comforting (cheering up).

Ministry / Serving:

‘Ministry’ in Greek, means ‘serving.’ It is the root form which the English word ‘Deacon’ is derived and is essentially a form of service in the material realm of life. Matthew 20:26-27 explains how growth takes place in the Kingdom ministries saying “Whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant, and whoever desires to be chief among you, let him be your servant.”

Leaders in the Kingdom are not appointed to leadership posts directly, but through training as servants.

Teaching:

Like prophecy, teaching is also a ‘specimen’ gift. Also like prophecy, there are two levels of teaching: the first is the ministry gifting which can be explained as initiating the Word of God. The second is the reproduction of the teachings originated by others. Those who initiate, determine what is to be taught; while those who reproduce, teach what they have been taught.

Exhorting / Encouraging:

The Greek word used in the Bible, translates as ‘encouragement’, which means cheering up, or stirring up. In a Church bombarded by the discouragement of Satan and his henchmen, an exhorter, and encourager in the Church performs a very valuable service to the Saints. We need them, especially when we are tired and worn down, for they can change the attitude of an individual or a whole Church by one apt word at the appropriate time, as God directs them.

Leading / Ruling:

Newer meaning-for-meaning versions of the Bible translate the word ‘lead’ as ‘rule,’ meaning to stand out in front. As Paul teaches in First Timothy 3:5, “if a man does not know to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” The root words mean the same, and what Paul is saying is that the man who cannot lead or rule his own family, cannot lead or rule a Church, for the leader in a Church must be able to face the forces which oppose it. Without God given leaders, progress in the Church in overcoming the enemy, is greatly impaired.

Showing Mercy:

Romans 12:8b refers to this gifting saying “the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” When mercy is shown with cheerfulness, it is an act which can and will, change lives forever.

Helps / Assists:

As First Corinthians 12:28 says, “God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.” Helping means to assist. If all aspire to be leaders and no one helps or assists, nothing is done. The helpers, the assistants tend to be the unsung hero upon whose works the success of the leaders, to a great extent, is based. This is particularly true in the flesh, but much less when we work in the spirit.

Administrations / Steers:

The word ‘administration’ comes from the Greek word meaning ‘steers’. Compared to the size of a ship, a rudder is a tiny proportion, yet it is the rudder which steers a ship. Those with an administrations or steering gifting, are able to redirect meetings very easily to align them with the will of the spirit. Their words and apt and timely and soon the whole congregation has changed direction.

Hospitality:

We are all one in the Body of Christ and no one is more important than the other, and certainly, no one is more important than the Head. First Peter 4:9 calls us all to be hospitable to one another, though few would see hospitality as a gifting. However, if and when on finds a Church or a Church group which appears to operate without hospitality, we will certainly avoid it and under no circumstances, would be join it. The parable of the ‘Good’ Samaritan of Luke 10:33-37 demonstrates the Kingdom view of mercy and hospitality which all Christian are required to portray: mercy and hospitality to all.

Speaking as God’s Mouthpiece:

As First Peter 4:11 says, “whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God,” then the conversation is ended. Some people are gifted to provide that short conversation stopper which wraps up discussion and brings all minds back to the will of God in that instance. This gifting may not be in operation all the time, but will come to fruition as and when God determines. Being the mouthpiece or the oracle of God, means speaking his words directly and often forcefully and sharply, typically drawing to a close a fleshly opinionated discussion and gossip, and brining all participants back to the heart of the Living God.

As I wrote in our posting “Our Place in the Body of Christ”, we are part of the Body of Christ and for our own good and benefit, we need to co-operate with other member of the Church. This does not mean that we duplicate their work, for each part of the body has a special purpose and special gifting with which they can work effectively for the benefit of all. No one part is more important than another part, just different. If all are teachers, who shall evangelise for new disciples? If all are evangelists, who shall teach the new disciples? As Paul continues in Romans 12:6-8

“Then having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching; or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who shares, in simplicity; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness.”

The purposes of the spiritual gifts from God to members of His Church are for the benefit and enjoyment of the Church. The gifts are given by the Holy Spirit at the sole discretion of the Holy Spirit, for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

However, any teaching on Spiritual Gifts would be seriously amiss by not drawing the reader’s attention to the teaching of Jesus in Luke 19:12-27 where He tells the parable of the minas. To one, v17 Jesus replied after hearing how the good servant had used his minas “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.” This is to be compared to the bad servant who hid is mina, saying to him in v22: “I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant!”

Jesus then went on to say v26: “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” We seriously need to bear this in mind when receiving and asking for God’s Spiritual Gifts, for as Jesus Himself said, the more we have, the more will be expected from us, and reasonably so.

Amen.

The foregoing is based on ideas and concepts from the book “Called to Conquer: Finding Your Assignment in the Kingdom of God” by Derek Prince.
An editable and formatted Word Document version of this post is available at: God’s Gifts – His Kingdom Tools

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