Spiritual Gifts

I Corinthians 12:3-7 - Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 

It MUST be remembered that Paul is writing to an individual church about the individual church members, and about the various gifts of ministry given by God to each of these individual members.  He is not speaking to several churches at once, as chapter 1 makes it very clear the letter is written to the church at Corinth about the various questions they asked.  There are those who believe this chapter, especially this chapter, is written concerning the various ways various churches carry out the Great Commission.  It is not. 

Diversities – differences

1.       Administrations – service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others:

a.    of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men

b.    of the office of Moses

c.    of the office of the apostles and its administration

d.    of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc.

2.       the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection esp. those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities

a.    the office of the deacon in the church

b.    the service of those who prepare and present food

Operations – ways of going about doing things:  working, or things wrought, or the effect of these various operations. 

Manifestation – revealing, or opening to reveal a specific point.