1 Corinthians 12:10

Working of miracles. As in the case of “gifts of healing” (see on v. 9) this was a special gift performed under divine direction. However, it is the privilege of those not possessing the gift to pray for miraculous intervention and to have their prayers answered if God so chooses.

Prophecy. This is the power to speak authoritatively for God, or on God’s behalf, either by foretelling future events or by declaring God’s will for the present (see Ex. 3:10, 14, 15; Deut. 18:15, 18; 2 Sam. 23:2; Matt. 11:9, 10; 2 Peter 1:21). Prophecy is the means chosen by God to establish communication between Himself and man (see Num. 12:6; Amos 3:7). The whole Bible has come to men by means of this gift (see 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20, 21). Scriptures testify of Jesus, and the gift of prophecy is appropriately called the “testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 19:10; see John 5:39; Rev. 12:17). Visions, dreams, special divine illumination of mind, are ways in which this gift of prophecy works (see Num. 12:6; Rev. 1:1-3). Thus the human agent becomes the mouthpiece of God (see 2 Sam. 23:2; Matt. 3:3; 2 Peter 1:21). God intended that this important gift of the Spirit should be with His church to the end of time (see Joel 2:28, 29; Rev. 12:17; 19:10). In fact, it is to be a mark of identification of God’s true church in the last days (Rev. 12:17; 19:10). This is only reasonable, because God has been using this channel through which to reveal Himself and impart His messages to the world ever since the fall of Adam.

Discerning of spirits. This is the ability to distinguish between divine and counterfeit inspiration (see 1 John 4:1-3; TM 228, 229). Christ warned His church that false prophets would arise, particularly in the last days, and all should be on the alert to recognize and reject such false teachers (see Matt. 24:4, 5, 11, 23-25). The apostles in the early church had the ability to distinguish between true and false preachers and professors of Christianity (see Acts 5:1-10; 13:9-11). There was need for this gift in the early days of the church, when there were doubtless many pretenders to possession of these gifts. Satan has ever been ready to counterfeit the true, and often supports the false claims of pretenders by supernatural miracles (2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 13:13, 14).

Kinds of tongues. This gift is discussed at length in ch. 14, where it is contrasted with the gift of prophecy.

Interpretation of tongues. A special gift was needed to interpret the messages imparted (see ch. 14:27, 28; Additional Note on Chapter 14).