I Corinthians 12:7-11
We are, again, dealing with pnuematicos, things of the spirit. Specifically, we are looking at the
operation of God’s gift of holy spirit. We continue our study with verses seven through eleven in chapter
twelve of I Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (KJV)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
The word “but” changes the train of thought. We were talking about this BUT now we are going to talk
about something else. In the previous verses the Bible was talking about diversities of gifts but the same
God, differences of administrations but the same God and differences of operations but the same God.
But, But, But, Now the Bible is talking about manifestations, operations, exhibitions of the gift of holy
spirit.
Remember there is The Holy Spirit, which is God, and there is the holy spirit, which was first given to the
Apostles on the day of Pentecost and has been available to every person regardless of the stature, color,
nationality or religious background who confesses Jesus as lord and believes in his heart that God has
raised him from the dead. Romans (10:9,10) Therefore what is the Bible talking about when it says
“manifestation of the Spirit?” Is it talking about operating God? No, no, no. It is talking about God’s gift
to the believer. The word “Spirit” should be lower case “spirit.”
The word “manifestation is the Greek word phanerosis which means “exhibition.” What are the
manifestations or exhibitions of holy spirit? There are nine: speaking in tongues, interpretation of
tongues, prophesy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discerning of spirits, faith, miracles and gifts of
healings.
The word “to” is the Greek word “pros” which means “with a view to immediate and long term.” So the
words “to profit withal” means that it profits the individual immediately as well as long term.
1 Corinthians 12:8-11 (KJV)
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same
Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healings by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another
divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The words “For to one” in verse eight are the Greek words “gar ho” which should be interpreted “For
one.” For one what? “For” sets verse eight in conjunction with verse seven. So, the profit, not prophet,is given for benefit. Therefore vs.8 is better understood “For a word of wisdom is given by the Spirit for
profit or benefit;
A word of knowledge is given by the same Spirit (God) for another (allos) profit;
Faith (believing) by the same Spirit for another (heteros) profit;
Gifts of healings are given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit;
The working of miracles is given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit
Prophesy is given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit;
Discerning of spirits is given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit;
Kinds of tongues are given by the same Spirit for another (heteros) profit.
Interpretation of tongues are given by the same Spirit for another (allos) profit;
The words allos and heteros are used with unerring accuracy. The word allos is used when there may be
more than two involved. For example, when the manifestation of prophesy is operated then it is a
benefit, it is profitable to the person operating as well as all others listening. So, the ones who are
involved are God, the individual and other(s) listening.
However, the Greek word heteros is use when only two are involved. In this case only two
manifestations have the word “heteros” associated with them, faith and speaking in tongues. These two
manifestations are between God and the man operating them. Others may benefit from the result of
the operation, but, not from the direct application.
What must be understood here is that even though the individual believer has the gift of holy spirit he
cannot, of himself, without God, manifest/exhibit holy spirit in the senses World. The individual is not an
“island unto himself.” WHY? Because who gives that person the knowledge, the wisdom etc. GOD does!
The individual has the gift, but, the operation the exhibition of that holy spirit, in the senses world, is in
conjunction and unison with God. God gives, God energizes. The gift IS holy spirit, but, the manifestation
IS God and the individual working together.
So, that brings us to the next issue. Who chooses? Who makes the decision of what is to be exhibited?
1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV)
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
The word “worketh” is the Greek word “energeo” which means energized. Look, I build houses for a
living. In the winter time we have no heat in the house, but, we have to heat the house while we are
drywalling and painting the inside. So, I get a long extension cord and a big electric heater, I plug the
extension cord into the power pole and unravel it. I bring the other end into the house and plug the
heater into the cord. When I do this the heater starts running. The heater was energized!The word severally is the Greek word “idios” it is translated “his own” 48 times, it is translated “their
own” 13 times, it is translated “severally” once! The word idios should be, must be translated “his own.”
A more accurate translation is “But, all these manifestations are energized, by God, dividing to every
man his own as he, the man wills. Who chooses the manifestation? The individual! Who energizes that
manifestation? God does! If it were any other way it would be possession and God is not in the business
of possession!
What an opportunity the born-again believer has to walk the walk of power and of love knowing that
God is with him and energizes the Christ within as he the man wills