Nine gifts are given in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. They are:

The gifts of the Spirit are His to bestow. They are power to “get the job done” that God desires: furthering His holy purpose of salvation and all its benefits. The gifts, therefore, work “through us” rather than belong to us. Why, you ask? Mankind does not always “line up” with God’s will nor reach His standard of perfection; particularly impartiality. Imagine having the power to heal, but not the will to heal everyone. The gifts can be grouped into three categories for easier understanding: power, speech, and revelation. The power gifts are 3, 4, and 5 in the list above. The vocal gifts are 6, 8, and 9. The gifts that reveal are 1, 2, and 7.

These definitions may prove helpful. The word of knowledge covers people, places, and things in the past, present, and future in the mind of God. The word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation by the Spirit of God concerning the future. This Word may come through the gift of prophesy which brings edification, exhortation, and comfort.

The Word of Knowledge comes from God’s omniscience. Special faith is not everyday faith that provides salvation for all; no, this is extraordinary faith which follows the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Regarding healing, faith healing comes directly from God to you. The gift of healing is from God through a person, to you, often by the laying on of hands. Working of miracles is God working through a person, while special faith is God working on your direct behalf (as in you receive a miracle). A miracle is an effect in the physical world which surpasses all human knowledge or natural laws or powers and is therefore ascribed to a supernatural source. Discerning of spirits is a sensitivity to the spirit realm and the pure or impure nature of a spirit. Diverse tongues is not your prayer language and is not “known” by the speaker, but it can surface through intercession. Interpretation is the ability to understand diverse tongues.

Though the gifts are different, it is important to remember that they come from one source: The Holy Spirit, and they are evidence of the Lord working toward His ultimate plan.