The Gifts of the Spirit
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The purpose of this study is to show the value of using several versions ofthe Bible to bring out the best shade of meaning in a passage. Although there is very littlereal difference in meaning among the various versions, there is a difference in the ways ofexpressing certain phrases. The reader may like some, but not others. However, he should findtranslations of words and phrases which will help him to understand what Paul, the originalwriter, was trying to express. The passage being discussed is 1 Corinthians 12: 7-11.

In the first translation of each verse (the KingJames Version) I have underlined key words and phrases. As you read the various versions,note how these have been translated. To prophesy often refers to speaking of the future.However, one meaning is to preach. Note whether or not any version ties discerningof spirits to prophecy. Note whether or not any version ties speaking intongues to interpreting the tongues spoken. See also 1 Corinthians 14: 27, 28 inregard to the latter point.

Twenty-one versions have been used in this comparison. Each of the versionshas different wording from the others somewhere within it.

Versions Compared

 

AAT An American Translation (Beck)
AB Amplified Bible
CEV Contemporary English Version
CNT Cassirer New Testament
DRB Douay-Rheims Bible
GW God's Word
KJV King James Version
LB Living Bible
NBV New Berkeley Version
NEB New English Bible
NET New Evangelical Translation
NIV New International Version
NLV New Life Version
NRS New Revised Standard Version
PRS Phillips Revised Student Edition
SGAT An American Translation (Smith-Goodspeed)
SNB Restoration of Original Sacred Name Bible
TEV Today's English Version
TM The Message
WET Wuest Expanded Translation
WNT Williams New Testament

1Corinthians 12: 7

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man toprofit withal.

AAT Now, the Spirit shows Himself to each one to make him useful.
AB But to each one is given the manifestation of the (Holy) Spirit, -- that is, the evidence,the spiritual illumination of the Spirit -- for good and profit.
CEV The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.
CNT Now that which shows forth the Spirit is given to each, with the intention that it shouldserve a beneficent end,
DRB And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit.
GW The evidence of the Spirit's presence is given to each person for the common good ofeveryone.
LB The Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entirechurch.
NBV To each is granted the evidence of the Spirit for the common welfare.
NEB In each of us the Spirit is manifested in one particular way, for some useful purpose.
NET Now the Spirit shows Himself to each one to make him useful.
NIV Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
NLV The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all.
NRS To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
PRS The Spirit openly makes his gift to each man, so that he may use it for the common good.
SGAT Each one is given his spiritual illumination for the common good.
SNB But unto each one is given the manifesting of the Spirit, with a view to that which isprofitable;
TEV The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.
TM But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us. Allkinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety iswonderful:
WET But to each one there is constantly being given the clearly seen operations of the Spiritwith a view to the profit [of all].
WNT The Spirit openly makes his gift to each man, so that he may use it for the common good.

1Corinthians 12: 8

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; toanother the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

AAT The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak of wisdom. To another the sameSpirit gives the ability to speak intelligently.
AB To one is given in and through the (Holy) Spirit [the power to speak] a message ofwisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understandingaccording to the same (Holy) Spirit;
CEV Some of us can speak with wisdom, while others can speak with knowledge, but thesegifts come from the same Spirit.
CNT To one, utterance of wisdom is given through the Spirit; to another, utterance ofknowledge by the leading of the same Spirit.
DRB To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another, the word ofknowledge, according to the same Spirit;
GW The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak with wisdom. The same Spirit givesanother person the ability to speak with knowledge.
LB To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; someone else may beespecially good at studying and teaching, and this is his gift from the same Spirit.
NBV To one person is given by the Spirit a message of wisdom and to another the utterance ofknowledge according to the same Spirit;
NEB One man through the Spirit, has the gift of wise speech, while another, by the power of thesame Spirit, can put the deepest knowledge into words.
NET The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak with wisdom. To another the same Spiritgives the ability to speak with knowledge.
NIV To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message ofknowledge by means of the same Spirit,
NLV One person is given the gift of teaching words of wisdom. Another person is given the giftof teaching what he has learned and knows. These gifts are by the same Spirit.
NRS To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance ofknowledge according to the same Spirit,
PRS One man's gift by the Spirit is to speak with wisdom, another's to speak with knowledge.
SGAT One man receives through the Spirit the power to speak wisely, another, by the sameSpirit, receives the power to express knowledge,
SNB For unto one indeed, through the Spirit is given a word of wisdom, but unto another aword of knowledge according to the same Spirit;
TEV The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the sameSpirit gives a message full of knowledge.
TM wise counsel
clear understanding
WET For to one is given through the intermediate agency of the Spirit a word of wisdom, and toanother a word of knowledge according to the same Spirit,
WNT One man's gift by the Spirit is to speak with wisdom, another's to speak with knowledge.

1Corinthians 12: 9

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the giftsof healing by the same Spirit;

AAT To another the Spirit gives faith. To another the same Spirit gives the abilityto heal.
AB To another (wonder-working) faith by the same (Holy) Spirit, to another the extraordinarypowers of healing by the one Spirit;
CEV To others the Spirit has given great faith or the power to heal the sick
CNT Still another has faith given to him by means of the same Spirit, another gifts of healingby means of the one spirit,
DRB To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to another, the word ofknowledge, according to the same Spirit;
GW To another person the same Spirit gives [courageous] faith. To another person the sameSpirit gives the ability to heal.
LB He gives special faith to another, and to someone else the power to heal the sick.
NBV To a third faith is granted by the same Spirit; to yet another the gifts of healing by theone Spirit;
NEB Another, by the same Spirit, is granted faith; another, by the one Spirit, gifts ofhealing,
NET To another the same Spirit gives faith. To another that same Spirit gives the ability toheal.
NIV to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
NLV One person receives the gift of faith. Another person receives the gifts of healing. Thesegifts are given by the same Holy Spirit.
NRS to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
PRS The same Spirit gives to another man faith, to another the ability to heal,
SGAT another, from his union with the same Spirit receives faith, another, by one and the sameSpirit, the ability to cure the sick,
SNB Unto a different one, faith in the same Spirit, and unto another, gifts of healings in theone Spirit,
TEV One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person, while to another person he gives thepower to heal.
TM simple trust
healing the sick
WET to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
WNT The same Spirit gives to another man faith, to another the ability to heal,

1Corinthians 12: 10

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy;to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to anotherthe interpretation of tongues:

AAT Another can work miracles. Another can speak God's Word. Another can tell thetrue Spirit from evil spirits. Another can talk other languages. Another can tell the meaningof languages.
AB To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight -- that is, the gift ofinterpreting the divine will and purpose; to another the ability to discern and distinguishbetween [the utterance of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of[unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues.
CEV or the power to work mighty miracles. Some of us are prophets, and some of us recognizewhen God's Spirit is present. Others can speak different kinds of languages, and still otherscan tell what these languages mean.
CNT another the power of working miracles, another prophetic utterance, another the ability todistinguish true spirits from false; still another the gift of speaking in tongues ofinspiration of this or that sort, another that of interpreting such tongues.
DRB To another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning ofspirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches.
GW Another can work miracles. Another can speak what God has revealed. Another can tellthe difference between spirits. Another can speak in different kinds of languages. Anothercan interpret languages.
LB He gives power for doing miracles to some, and to others power to prophesy and preach.He gives someone else the power to know whether evil spirits are speaking through thosewho claim to be giving God's messages -- or whether it is really the Spirit of God who isspeaking. Still another person is able to speak in languages he never learned; and others,who do not know the language either, are given the power to understand what he is saying.
NBV to another miraculous powers; to this one prophecy, to that one discrimination betweenspirits, to a third variety of tongues, and to yet another the ability to interpret tongues.
NEB and another miraculous powers; another has the gift of prophecy, and another the gift todistinguish true spirits from false; yet another has the gift of ecstatic utterance of differentkinds, and another the ability to interpret it.
NET Another can work miracles. Another can prophesy. Another can tell the true Spirit fromevil spirits. Another can speak in [various] kinds of language. Another can interpretlanguages.
NIV to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing betweenspirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another theinterpretation of tongues.
NLV One person is given the gift of doing powerful works. Another person is given the gift ofspeaking God's Word. Another person is given the gift of telling the difference between theHoly Spirit and false spirits. Another person is given the gift of speaking in special sounds.Another person is given the gift of telling what these special sounds mean.
NRS to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment ofspirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues,
PRS to another the use of spiritual powers. The same Spirit gives to another man the gift ofpreaching the word of God, to another the ability to discriminate in spiritual matters, toanother speech in different tongues and to yet another the power to interpret the tongues.
SGAT another, the working of wonders, another inspiration in preaching, another, the power ofdistinguishing the true Spirit from false ones, another, various ecstatic utterances, andanother, the ability to explain them.
SNB And unto another energies of mighty works, and unto another prophesying, and untoanother discriminations of spirits, unto a different one, kinds of tongues, and unto anothertranslation of tongues;
TEV The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speakingGod's message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that comefrom the Spirit and those that do not. To one person he gives the ability to speak in strangetongues, and to another he gives the ability to explain what is said.
TM miraculous acts
proclamation
distinguishing between spirits
tongues
interpretation of tongues
WET and to another the working of miracles, and to another the giving forth of divinerevelations, and to another the correction evaluation of those individuals who give forthdivine revelations, and to another various kinds of languages, and to another theinterpretation of languages.
WNT to another the use of spiritual powers. The same Spirit gives to another man the gift ofpreaching the word of God, to another the ability to discriminate in spiritual matters, toanother speech in different tongues and to yet another the power to interpret the tongues.

1Corinthians 12: 11

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing toevery man severally as he will.

AAT One and the same Spirit works all these things and gives as He wishes to eachin his own way.
AB All these [achievements and abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same(Holy) Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.
CEV But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us.
CNT And all this is wrought by one and the same Spirit, distinguishing severally to each, inaccordance with his will.
DRB But all these things one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing to every one according as hewill.
GW There is only one Spirit who does all these things by giving what God wants to give toeach person.
LB It is the same and only Holy Spirit who gives all these gifts and powers, deciding whicheach one of us should have.
NBV All these abilities one and the same Spirit energizes, distributing to each individualexactly as He pleases. [See footnote.]
NEB But all these gifts are the work of one and the same Spirit, distributing them separatelyto each individual at will.
NET One and the same Spirit works all these things by giving as He wishes to each individually.
NIV All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just ashe determines.
NLV But it is the same Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, Who does all these things. He gives toeach person as He wants to give.
NRS All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually justas the Spirit chooses.
PRS Behind all these gifts is the operation of the same Spirit, who distributes to eachindividual man, as he wills.
SGAT These are all produced by one and the same Spirit, and apportioned to each of us just asthe Spirit chooses.
SNB But all these energiseth the one and the same Spirit, distributing unto each one peculiarity,even as it is disposed.
TEV But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a differentgift to each person.
TM All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit ofGod. He decides who gets what, and when.
WET But all of these the one and the same Spirit is by divine energy putting into operation,dividing to each one separately even as He desires.
WNT Beyond all these gifts is the operation of the same Spirit, who distributes to eachindividual man, as he wills.

Commentary

 

Verse 7 states three things:

  1. The source of the gifts is the Holy Spirit.
  2. Every person receives a gift.
  3. The gift is not for the recipient only, but for the good of everybody.

Verses 8, 9, and 10 list some of the gifts. These relate to spiritual matters.As with the ones listed in this passage, they, too, are to be used for the benefit of everyone.Some of the ones in the passage appear to be more in evidence than others. We are told in theScriptures that we must have faith in Yahshua in order to receive salvation. Does the HolySpirit give faith to some, but not to others? Have you not heard the comment that a personwould be able to do something if he only had faith? I was once told by someone that I had weakfaith because I physically could not do something that he could. There are degrees of faith.Also, there are degrees of the other gifts. Have you not been able to exercise more than one ofthese gifts to a small degree at some time? However, it is implied here that there are peoplewho have one of these gifts to a greater extent. Have you not heard one minister speak theWord of God to the point that you were spiritually moved while another seemed to have nospiritual power in preaching?

Let us consider gifts not listed here. Some people can sing or play a musicalinstrument in such a way that others are uplifted while other people are completely tone-deafor illiterate with a sheet of music. Some people can cook a most delicious meal while othershave difficulty in frying an egg. Some people can write poetry, novels, or letters that willbring joy to their readers while others struggle to express a few thoughts in writing. Somepeople can overhaul an automobile engine so that it can be functional while others cannotlocate the oil dipstick. Conversely, the people in these examples who cannot do those thingscan do other things which the other people cannot do. These are just a few gifts -- but theyare gifts.

The passage tells us that everyone is given a gift. Does not a person have tobe mentally alert in order to exercise that gift? For most gifts, he probably has to be.However, a gift can be exercised by one who is not. In this case, especially with children, itis the responsibility of parents, teachers, and other adults to recognize the gifts and to helpthe children to develop them. Seniors in nursing homes probably have exercised their gifts inprevious years but no longer can. Nursing records often indicate what these gifts have been.

Being physically handicapped does not necessarily destroy the ability toexercise a gift. Ludwig van Beethoven composed much of his famous orchestral music after hebecame deaf. Winston Churchill did poorly in school and could not speak well, yet he became arecognized historian and a great wartime prime minister. Robert Louis Stevenson led a verysickly life, but he wrote poetry and stories that are classics in children's literaturetoday.

Verse 11 reiterates that the gifts come from the Holy Spirit and that everyonereceives a gift. The New Berkeley Version records the followingfootnote to this passage: "Every Christian has a gift from the Holy Spirit.Each must discover what his gift is, and then use it for the glory of God."

Now I shall return to the purpose of this comparison, that is, the use ofseveral versions to bring out the meaning of a passage. I feel that using that procedure canhelp with understanding what Paul was teaching. I have seen all of these gifts used, butsometimes they did not come from the Holy Spirit. Thus, they were fakes. Examples of this areas follows: the faith that people had in Adolf Hitler; selective healing by sometelevangelists; prophesying of a future event that does not come to pass; jibberish talking ina church without someone independently interpreting.

Following one version only can give a wrong impression on what the gift reallyis. Examples in verse 10 are as follows: the discerning of spirits as stated in AB,GW, LB, WET,and WNT; and what can be interpreted as stated in AAT, DRB, LB, NEB, NIV, SGAT, and WET. Amisunderstanding of what any one of the gifts is can place a question of doubt into the mindsof marginal believers. Probably not any one of these versions is perfect regarding this or anyother passage, but the reader can be helped in checking what several say.

This passage has a useful message for us. The use of several versions of theNew Testament can help the reader to understand it better.