Vive Le Renaissance, Man!: Spiritual Gifts - A Harmonization of the "Gift Lists"

Some time back, I was listening to a sermon by our Pastor, when as often happens a thought struck me, and I had to explore it. So I sent myself a note on email, and it sat there in my inbox for months, waiting for a time when I could do the research. Now, being unemployed, I finally have the time. :)

The idea was this: there are several passages in the New Testament that list what are known as "spiritual gifts", the definition of which is abilities (often supernaturally endowed) that are given to Christians at or after their conversion, for the purpose of edifying and building up the local church. Since English translations of the Greek New Testament writing often are contextual, there may appear to be more of these "gifts" noted in English translations of the Bible than the original languages allow for.

The solution for that would be to go to the Greek language versions directly and note the words used there to create a harmonization, and then convert the surviving terms back to English. Seminary training certainly helps with such an endeavor, and online tools make it easier than it was a couple of decades ago.

So, here's what I found by trying to harmonize the following passages:

Romans 12:6-8
I Corinthians 12:8-10
I Corinthians 12:28-30
I Corinthians 13:1-3,8
I Corinthians 14:6,26
Ephesians 4:11-12
I Peter 4:11
I Corinthians 7:7-8
Exodus 35:30-35
I Chronicles 25:1-8

You might wonder how I can examine Greek words in the last two passages, but there are online tools for that, too. :)

The complete table is below, but here are some insights.

1) Prophecy in the Old and New Testaments are from the same Spirit, and are the same gift; just the context differs. In the Old, prophecy was mostly speaking God's truth to power. In the New, it is speaking God's truth to the church about a specific issue or need.
2) The gift of evangelism is better thought of as a Gospel Preacher - not one who expounds the Scripture, but one who simply brings the Good News, with power. Televangelists get a bad rap, but Saint Paul was one - just without the technology of TV.
3) The modern-day position of Pastor is really unnatural. We think of it as combination of Preacher/Teacher/Counselor, but the word used for pastoral gifts is the Greek word for Shepherd - one who cares for the flock. It is not the same gift as Teacher, nor is it the same as Evangelist (preacher). Yet in our modern pastoral ministry, we expect the Pastor to do all three. There are separate gifts of Teaching, Shepherding, and Evangelistic Preaching. As Saint Paul says clearly: none have all the gifts, but we expect pastors to have at least 3 specific ones.
4) The idea of spiritual giftedness in music and the arts has been hotly debated, but it's clear to me that there is an Old Testament precedent for it, confirmed by similar use of the Greek New Testament words for both Wisdom and Prophecy in the context of arts, crafts, and music.
5) There is a gift of singleness, but not of celibacy per se. The text in question says nothing about sexual activity or the lack thereof (it's implied, not stated), but rather of being partnered with someone in a committed relationship (which would necessarily draw them away from complete devotion to Christ.
6) Hospitality appears not to be a spiritual gift, but rather a command, along the same lines as "live a quiet and godly life" or "give no one reason to accuse you". All believers are commanded to be hospitable to other believers, especially those traveling through.

Greek Word

Strongs #

Romans 12:6–8

Prophecy

prophēteian

4394

Serving

diakonian

121248

Teaching

Exhortation

Giving

Leadership

Mercy

1 Corinthians 12:8-10

Word of wisdom

Word of knowledge

Faith

Healing

Miracles

Prophecy

Distinguishing between spirits

Tongues

Interpretation of tongues

hermēneia

22058

Note, a connotation of . translating, not of . determining the meaning

1 Corinthians 12:28-30

Apostle

apostolous

652

Note, an emphasis on

Prophet

prophētas

4396

an emissary, a delegate,

Teacher

didaskalous

1320

one who is commissioned . to go (i.e. a Missionary)

Miracles

Kinds of healings

Helps

Administration

Tongues

Interpretation of tongues

diermēneuousin

1329

Note, an emphasis of 2058, . fully/accurately translating

1 Corinthians 13:1-3,8

Tongues

Prophecy

Seeing

1492

Note, metaphysical seeing . (as in a Seer); used in . context of understanding . Mysteries (mystēria . http://biblehub.com/ . greek/muste_ria_3466.htm

Strong's 3466 . http://biblehub.com/ . greek/3466.htm)

Knowledge

Faith

Feed the Hungry

Martyrdom

Note, context of "to be . burned" is to hand over the . body (paradō to sōma, . Strong's 3860 and 4983) for . torture, but literal meaning . of 2744 is to be lifted up, as . in Christians on the crosses . set on fire in Nero's day.

1 Corinthians 14:6,26

Tongues

Revelation

Knowledge

Prophecy