The General Gifts and Definitions

I am listing the 21 gifts of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to pray for these gifts and see how God will use you in your church.

A. Prophecy - Strong’s #4394 – Romans 12:6, 1 Cor. 12:10, Ephesians 4:11

The gift of prophecy is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to His people through a divinely anointed utterance. There may be a element of the future, but not necessarily. This is primarily exercised through the teaching ministry.

B. Pastors / Pastor Teacher - Strong’s # 4166 - Ephesians 4:11

The gift of pastor is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to provide spiritual care and nourishment of a group of believers or congregation.

C. Teaching - Strong’s # 1321 - Romans 12:7, 1 Cor. 12:28, Ephesians 4:11

The gift of teaching is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to communicate clearly and apply effectively the truth of God's Word in such a way that others will learn.

D. Word of Wisdom - Strong’s # 4678 - 1 Corinthians 12:8

The gift of the word of wisdom is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to know the mind of the Holy Spirit in such a way as to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs arising in the body of Christ.

E. Word of Knowledge - Strong’s # 1108 - 1 Corinthians 12:8

The gift of the word of knowledge is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to receive divinely given facts or knowledge in the mind of God which are pertinent to the growth and well being of the body of Christ.

F. Exhortation - Strong’s # 3870 or 3874 - Romans 12:8

The gift of exhortation is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to minister words of comfort, edification, encouragement and counsel to other members of the body in such a way that they feel helped and healed.

G. Discerning of Spirits - Strong’s # 1253, 4151 - 1 Corinthians 12:10

The gift of discerning of spirits is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to know with assurance whether certain behavior purported to be of God is in reality divine, human, or satanic.

H. Giving - Strong’s # 3330 - Romans 12:8

The gift of giving is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to give to certain members of the body of Christ to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness.

I. Helps - Strong’s # 484 - 1 Corinthians 12:28

The gift of helps is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to invest the talents they have in the life and ministry of other members of the body, thus enabling those others to increase the effectiveness of their own spiritual gifts.

J. Mercy - Strong’s # 1653 - Romans 12:8

The gift of mercy is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to feel genuine empathy and compassion for individuals-both Christian and non-Christians who suffer distressing physical, mental or emotional problems and to translate that compassion into cheerfully done deeds which reflect Christ's love and alleviate the suffering.

K. Apostle (Missionary) - Strong’s # 652 - 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11

The apostle (missionary) is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to minister whatever other spiritual gifts they have in culture other than there own.

L. Evangelist - Strong’s # 2099 - Ephesians 4:11

The gift of evangelist is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women come to saving faith in Christ.

N. Faith - Strong’s # 4102 - 1 Corinthians 12:9

The gift of faith is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for his work.

O. Leadership - Strong’s # 4291 - Romans 12:8

The gift of leadership is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to set goals in accordance with God's purposes for the future and to communicate these goals to others in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to accomplish those goals for the glory of God.

P. Administration - Strong’s # 2941 - 1 Corinthians 12:28

The gift of administration is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to understand clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a particular unit of the body of Christ and to devise and execute plans for the accomplishment of those goals.

Q. Miracles - Strong’s # 1411 - 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28

The gift of miracles is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform supernatural acts that are perceived by the observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature.

R. Healing - Strong’s # 2386 - 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28

The gifts of healing is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to cure illness and restore health apart from the use of natural means.

S. Tongues - Strong’s # 1085 - 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28

The gift of tongues is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to pray, sing, or worship God in a language they have never learned through a divinely anointed utterance.

T. Interpretation of Tongues - Strong’s # 2058 - 1 Corinthians 12:10

The gift of interpretation of tongues is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to make known in the vernacular that which was spoken by one exercising the gift of tongues.

U. Ministry (Service) - Strong’s # 1248 - Romans 12:7

The gift of service is the special ability God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to identify the unmet needs involved in a task related to God's work, and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired results.

V. Love – Strong’s # 26 - Romans 12:9, 1 Corinthians 13

The gift of love is given to the believer as a special love for others that only Christ can have. The word "charity," "charitably," or "in love." While the former introduces a declaration of the mode in which God's love has been manifested, the second introduces a statement of the identification of believers with God in character.