“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:” I Corinthians 12:7
In verse 1, Paul says, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren…” The word “gifts” is not actually there in the original text. What it says in the Greek could actually be translated, “Now concerning things that pertain to the spirit” or “concerning spiritual matters.” Paul said about spiritual matters, “I don’t want you to be ignorant.” If Paul said that to the church at Corinth, I think he would say it to us in our churches today. If we are ignorant about spiritual matters we could either “miss out” or “weird out.” People who “weird out” are people who distort spiritual matters and get into error. In the following verses Paul describes spiritual gifts, ministries, activities and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. When we know about them, we can experience more of a fullness of what God wants to do in us and through us.
There are diversities of GIFTS (I Corinthians 12:4). The Greek word for “gifts” is charisma, and it means “the power of divine grace operating on a soul by the Holy Spirit.” This word describes God choosing to grant or empower someone to do His will or to favor us with His grace and power.
There are differences of MINISTRIES (I Corinthians 12:5). The Greek word for “ministries” is diakonia, and it means “service” and can refer either to a ministry that serves the poor or the office of a ministry leader, such as, a prophet, pastor, apostle, or evangelist.
There are diversities of ACTIVITIES (I Corinthians 12:6). The Greek word for ministries is energema, which is translated “operations.” The word comes from a root word energeo to be effective, operative, to display activity, to put forth power or energy.
The MANIFESTATION of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all (I Corinthians 12: 7) The Greek word for “manifestation” is phanerosis, and it comes from a root that means “to expose to view” or to “show.” God wants to show Himself to others through you, and He will do that through gifts, ministries, activities and manifestations.
Paul goes on to list nine ways the Holy Spirit manifests Himself. We call them the “gifts of the Spirit,” but it would be more accurate to call them the “manifestations of the Spirit” where God makes Himself known, apparent, clearly understood, clearly recognized.
Application: Spiritual matters and spiritually understood. Ask God to reveal Himself to your heart, allowing you to experience His prompting.