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As author of three of the four principal texts on the subject, the Apostle Paul gives us the most biblical insight about spiritual gifts. He spoke at length on the subject to the young church in Corinth, Greece, which he founded. They struggled with a number of significant issues and had some big questions. A full three chapters on spiritual gifts suggests the church family was very confused on the topic. Paul obviously thought it critical to provide truth, insight and application. He begins in Chapter 12 of First Corinthians.

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.” —1 Corinthians 12:1

Even in his opening line, Paul uses one specific word that helps us approach an answer to our first question. The text literally says “now concerning spiritual, brothers, I do not want you uninformed.” The word “spiritual” is an adjective, which describes a noun; but there is no noun in the text. That is why translators include the word “gifts,” which is clearly true from the context of the following verses.

The root of this adjective is pneuma, the Greek word for spirit or wind. It is used almost 400 times in the New Testament, referring to a gale wind, angelic or demonic spirits, the human spirit and the Spirit of God. The reference to the Holy Spirit of God is the usage here in First Corinthians 12:1. Thus with this one intentional and unadorned word, Paul reveals that these gifts are integrally linked to the Spirit of God. This is indeed his chief point. That is why they are called “spiritual” gifts and not simply “divine” gifts. Thus when we use the phrase “spiritual gifts,” we are not making a contrast to some sort of “natural” or “fleshly” gifts, we are making a statement of origin. These gifts come from the Holy Spirit of God. Perhaps to make this point boldly at the start, Paul simply omits the word “gifts” and reveals his intent to discuss the “Holy Spirit” as a beginning of his clarifying teaching on spiritual gifts. We’ve already seen the centrality of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and the life of the church above.

Paul shares confirming and additional insight to another church in Ephesus. In a similarly concentrated section on spiritual gifts (4:1-16), Paul introduces the subject in this way:

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, ‘When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.’” —Ephesians 4:7-8, quoting Psalm 68:18

We see several things in this text that help us with different aspects of an answer to our first question…

What is a spiritual gift?

First, notice that “each one” of the believers in the church is given a spiritual gift. This gives us significant insight into the recipients of gifts, but let us hold that for now. Next we see that spiritual gifts are deeply related to God’s grace. Paul says “grace was given” instead of “gifts were given.” Again it seems like Paul is intentionally monitoring his language to direct our hearts to God. He confirms our thought by adding “according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” The focus is clearly on God.

We’ve quickly discovered two insights as we try to answer our first, foundational question: what is a spiritual gift? The passages above reveal two simple truths. In fact, they are so simple that they are often forgotten or dismissed. The first is that spiritual gifts come from the Holy Spirit of God. They are sourced in God’s Spirit. This is why they are called “spiritual” gifts. The second is that they are freely given. These “gifts” are an aspect of God’s grace or unmerited favor. There is nothing one does to earn these gifts of grace because grace, by definition, cannot be earned. Grace is only given and received. These Divine grace gifts come from the Holy Spirit of God and are free.

Taken together, these insights align to provide the first element in a full answer to our question, what is a spiritual gift? We have determined origin and nature. Spiritual gifts come from God and are given freely as a gift of His grace; they are directly and emphatically identified with the Holy Spirit of God. But in the second text above we have nudged up against another question that will help us with the first…

To whom are spiritual gifts given?

To answer this, let us return to First Corinthians 12 and dig some more.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ...But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. ...But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.” –1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 11; 18

Notice Paul says “to each one” several times. We’ve seen this before in Ephesians 4:7. This reveals that every believer in Jesus is granted a grace gift. Just as salvation is a free gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life by the grace of God, according to your faith in Jesus Christ, so too God’s spiritual gifts are free gifts to all who are found in Jesus Christ by faith. This is a clear, repeated and confirmed answer to our second question, to whom are spiritual gifts given?

The word “gifts” here in First Corinthians 12:4 is the Greek word charisma, clearly the root for the English words charisma and charismatic. It is used in the New Testament to refer to something that is graciously and freely bestowed. The idea is that this “gift” is not a wage or payment or bargaining chip. It is free, which is why it is related to the word charis, the Greek word for grace. As we continue to see, there is a powerful connection. This is why we can refer to spiritual gifts as grace gifts.