1 Corinthians 12:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consequently, both foretold the future, demon and Spirit, though the first falsely and the second truly. There was nowhere to find a sign by which one could distinguish one from the other.

Both kinds of prophets taught without giving an account, like Jeremiah or Ezekiel. But with the passage of time the false prophets were exposed, and the ability to discern spirits was given.

"To another the interpretation of tongues." This too was a spiritual gift. Often a man who knew only the Hellenic language would translate for the hearers when another spoke in the Scythian or Thracian tongue.

Meanwhile the Apostle everywhere added the words "by the same Spirit" and "through the same Spirit." By this he teaches that the streams are diverse, but the source is certainly one.

Yet he did not judge even this sufficient, and added: Verse 11, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

The Fathers distinguish the gifts of healings from the operations of powers. The former signify miracle-working power manifested in healings from various diseases.

The latter signify the performance of other miracles, for example, raising the dead, punishing unbelievers with diseases, and so forth.

In the New Testament, prophecy does not mean prediction of the future in the strict sense. It means such spiritual illumination or inspiration that the believer revealed the truths of faith to others, explaining and preaching them before the Church.

Alongside this gift the Apostle marks out discernment of spirits.

According to the Fathers, this gift had the purpose of distinguishing true illumination from false. False prophets could appear in the Church.

Perhaps it was the gift of knowing hearts, such as we see in the Apostle Peter (Acts 5:3; Acts 8:21). In general, it was the capacity to distinguish what comes from the Spirit of God from what comes from one's own knowledge and cleverness.

"Kinds of tongues" means the capacity to speak in various languages, as it appeared in the Apostles on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4).

It continued to appear for a long time among believers in the primitive Church. The Apostle later explains how to use this gift (1 Cor 14:27).

After the gift of tongues comes the interpretation of tongues. This was a supplement to the preceding gift.

It sometimes happened that the one speaking in an unknown tongue himself knew what he said, but could not interpret it to another. Another had to do this (Chrysostom).

It occurs through the revelation, or utterance, of the will of God, not only concerning the future, but also concerning the affairs of the present time (1 Cor 14:24-25; Jn 4:18-19, 29; Lk 22:64; 1 Sam 9:19; 2 Kgs 6:12).

It also concerns the past destinies of mankind (cf. Rom 15:4; Acts 13:15). Prediction of the future is only one instance of prophecy.

"Many were then participants in this gift, not only men but also women. The daughters of Philip prophesied (Acts 21:9). A certain Agabus foretold Saint Paul his bonds (Acts 21:10-11), and others did likewise" (Theodoret).

"To another discernment of spirits." Theodoret writes, "Since at that time there were also soothsayers, inspired by demons, who deceived people, such a grace was given by the divine Spirit to some, that they might expose those possessed by an opposing spirit."

"To another various tongues." This is the capacity, as need requires, to speak in various foreign languages without prior learning.

It was the most visible and striking gift, for which Christians of apostolic times especially showed zeal. But the Apostle Paul strongly moderates this zeal in favor of the prophetic gift (1 Cor 14).

"To another the interpretation of tongues." By this the Apostle denotes the wondrous gift of translating into the native and commonly intelligible language what was spoken in a foreign language not intelligible to all.

"For one man himself knew what he was saying, but could not interpret it to another. Another had the capacity for both" (Saint Chrysostom).

Finally, the ninth is the capacity to explain what has been said.

According to Blessed Theodoret, "these various gifts are like different streams, but the source is certainly one," that is, the Holy Spirit. He distributes them according to the strength of their bearers and according to His providence.

Dwelling on this last thought, Saint John Chrysostom says, "As the Son says of the Father that He raises the dead and gives them life, and likewise says of Himself that He gives life to whom He wills (Jn 5:21), so also of the Spirit it is said here that He works all things as He wills" (cf. 1 Cor 2:11).

Saint Chrysostom says, "Discernment of spirits is knowledge of who is spiritual, that is, filled with the Holy Spirit, and who is not spiritual, but speaks only from himself. It is knowledge of who is a prophet and who is a deceiver.

At that time there was great danger from false prophets, because the devil tried in every way to set falsehood against truth."

What are kinds of tongues? This is the gift of speaking in various languages, not by learning them, but by a gift from the Spirit of God.

The Roman Empire was filled with peoples of many languages. So that no one would be deprived of the possibility of hearing the good tidings, the gift of speaking different languages was given everywhere.

This gift and the gift of the word of wisdom were the most necessary.

"The Apostle gave this gift the last place, and the gift of teaching the first, because for the sake of both these gifts all the others were given, so that the preaching might be received with faith" (Theodoret).

"This gift of tongues was considered great. The Apostles received it first of all, and many of the Corinthians had it. But the gift of teaching is higher.

The Apostle placed it first, and speaks of this one at the end. For this gift exists for the sake of that one, as do all the rest, prophecies, operations of powers, and gifts of healings.

Nothing can equal it, as he himself says: 'Let the presbyters who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and teaching' (1 Tim 5:17)" (Saint Chrysostom).

What is the interpretation of tongues? It is the gift of interpreting for others what has been said in foreign languages.

"One man himself knew what he was saying, but could not interpret it to another. Another had the capacity for both" (Saint Chrysostom).

"This too was a spiritual gift. Often a man who knew only the Hellenic language would translate for the hearers when another spoke in the Scythian or Thracian tongue" (Theodoret).

"Those who spoke in tongues sometimes had this gift themselves and interpreted themselves" (Oecumenius).

In enumerating such gifts, the Apostle explains that they are given "by the same Spirit" and "through the same Spirit." He teaches that although the streams are diverse, the source is certainly one.

But Theodoret says he judged even this insufficient and added: Verse 11, "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one by authority as He wills."