1 Corinthians 12:11

My Notes

What Does 1 Corinthians 12:11 Mean?

"But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." Paul identifies the source and distributor of all spiritual gifts: one Spirit. The same Spirit produces every gift — wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation (v. 8-10). The diversity of gifts comes from the unity of the giver. And the distribution is sovereign: "as he will" (kathōs bouletai — according to his own deliberate choice). The Spirit doesn't distribute randomly or on request. He distributes according to his will.

The phrase "to every man severally" (hekastō idiōs — to each one individually, personally) means the distribution is customized. Every believer receives a Spirit-chosen, individually designed gift package. No two distributions are identical.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What gifts has the Spirit specifically chosen for you — and are you operating them?
• 2.How does 'as he will' (sovereign distribution) free you from gift-envy or gift-shame?
• 3.What does the unity of the source (one Spirit) mean for how you view gifts different from yours?
• 4.Where do you need to stop requesting a different gift and start stewarding the one you've been given?

Devotional

One Spirit. All gifts. Distributed as he chooses. To each person individually. The diversity you see in the church isn't competing programs. It's one Spirit with one plan, giving different gifts to different people according to his own wisdom.

All these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit. The same Spirit who gives wisdom gives tongues. The same Spirit who enables healing enables prophecy. The gifts that look different on the outside come from the same source on the inside. The healer and the teacher and the prophet and the tongue-speaker are all operating from the same engine. The variety is by design, not by accident.

Dividing to every man severally. Severally — idiōs — individually, personally, uniquely. The Spirit's distribution is custom. Not mass-produced. Each person's gift package is individually selected. The Spirit doesn't throw gifts into a crowd and see who catches what. He designs each person's spiritual equipment with the precision of a custom order. Your gifts were chosen for you specifically.

As he will. Kathōs bouletai — according to his deliberate, considered choice. Not random. Not democratic. Not based on your request or your preference. The Spirit distributes according to his will — his assessment of what's needed, where it's needed, and who should carry it. You didn't choose your gifts. The Spirit chose them for you.

The implications are liberating: you don't need to compete for gifts. The Spirit already gave you yours. You don't need to covet someone else's package. The Spirit designed yours for you. You don't need to feel inferior because your gift isn't the showy one. The Spirit gave the showy gifts and the hidden gifts with the same deliberation. The distribution was sovereign, which means every gift — including yours — is exactly what the Spirit intended.

The unity is in the source. The diversity is in the distribution. And both serve the body (v. 12-27). Your individual, Spirit-chosen gift exists to serve the collective body. And the body functions because every individually-gifted member operates what they were given.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture