Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 12:4
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church immediately after establishing that authentic confession of Jesus as Lord originates solely from the Holy Spirit. He introduces the principle of spiritual diversity to correct their focus on uniformity and establish the source of every endowment.
The words — διαιρέσεις (diaireseis) denotes varieties or divisions, while χαρισμάτων (charismatōn) refers specifically to unmerited gifts. The phrase τὸ αὐτὸ πνεῦμα (to auto pneuma) literally identifies the single, undivided Spirit as the common agent behind these varied distributions.
The thread — This theme of distributed grace operating through a single divine source appears in 1 Peter 4:10, which commands believers to steward manifold grace. It aligns with 1 Corinthians 12:28, which lists God-appointed roles, and Romans 12:4, which compares the church to one body with many distinct members.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that functional diversity within the community does not indicate fragmented authority but unified origin. A reader must stop measuring spiritual validity by uniformity and instead trace every operation to its single source.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 4:10 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
- 1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- Romans 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,
- 1 Corinthians 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit,
- Hebrews 2:4 and was affirmed by God through signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.
- Ephesians 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
- Ephesians 4:11 And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,