1 Corinthians 12:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord" (1 Cor 12:5). To strengthen the consolation, the Apostle brings in the Son and the Father.

Here he gives the gifts another name, wishing through this also to provide greater consolation. Therefore he says, "There are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord."

When the one who received less heard of a gift, he might have grieved. But when he hears of a ministry, he will not, because this word signifies toil and work.

Why do you grieve, he says, if God commanded another to labor more and spared you?

"And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who works all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for profit" (1 Cor 12:6-7).

See verse 4. He also mentioned the Son as the giver of good things. He spoke of ministries in order to comfort the grieving man still more. For when he heard the word gift, and had received less, he might grieve that he had been deprived in the gift. But when he hears of ministry, he does not do so in the same way. For ministry indicates labor and sweat. Why do you grieve, when He commanded others to labor more and spared you?

In these words the Apostle clearly disclosed the purpose of what he had said. He showed that the gifts bestowed are numerous and diverse, but their source is one.

The same thing, he says, is given by the all-holy Spirit, by the Lord, and by God the Father.

For he called the same gifts "gifts," "ministries," and "operations." They are called gifts because they are given according to God's generosity. They are called ministries because they were bestowed through people appointed to this sacred ministry.

Thus in the Epistle to the Romans the Apostle said, "Inasmuch then as I am an Apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry" (Rom 11:13).

In one place he writes to Timothy, "Fulfill your ministry" (2 Tim 4:5). In another he says, "I remind you to stir up the gift of God" (2 Tim 1:6).

The Holy Spirit is God, consubstantial with the Father and the Son. This is clear from the words of the Apostle, who says, “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord ... who works all in all” (1 Cor 12:4-6).

"Diversities of gifts." A gift is the same as a talent or capacity proper to the various members of the Church.

The Apostle compares the Church to a body. As he observes various capacities and functions in the body, so he observes the same in the Church (Rom 12:6).

He called them gifts because they are given according to God's generosity.

By pointing to the origin of the various gifts from one source, the Holy Spirit, the Apostle wishes to humble those who exalt themselves over these gifts. He also wishes to calm the envious desires of those who do not have them.

If some have more gifts, they should not think that others have none at all. Those others, in turn, should not complain that they have no gifts.

The very confession of Jesus as the Son of God is already a gift of the Spirit of God. It shows that the Spirit of God is active in such a person.

By these words of the Apostle the truth is not removed that among Christians there are both pastors and flock, those who govern and those who are subject. For although all who truly believe in Jesus Christ as Lord show through this that they have the Holy Spirit (v. 3), nevertheless the activities of the Spirit are very diverse, and His gifts are manifold (vv. 4-5). Some gifts belong to the flock and to those under authority, while others belong to pastors and leaders.

"There are diversities of gifts, but the Spirit, the third person of the Holy Trinity, is the same. And there are diversities of ministries, for which the gifts are given, according to Chrysostom, but the Lord, the second person of the Holy Trinity, is the same.

And there are diversities of operations, that is, the fruits or consequences of the gifts, but God, the first person of the Holy Trinity, is the same, who works all things in all."

By these words, according to Blessed Theodoret's explanation, the Apostle showed that the Holy Trinity is the giver of the same gifts, only under different names.

By this he comforts those who had received what seemed to them lesser gifts. He teaches that both kinds of gifts are bestowed from one and the same source.

Speaking of the diversity of spiritual gifts, the Apostle first points to the basis of this diversity. It lies in the diversity of ecclesial needs, for the satisfaction of which the gifts are revealed.

Then he shows that this diversity is united in the single source of these gifts, the Holy Spirit. It is also united in the unity of the body of the Church.

In relation to the Church, all the different bearers of gifts are like the different organs in the body. Together they constitute the whole body, and from various sides they all serve the common benefit of the whole body.

According to Saint John Chrysostom, "The Apostle first of all admonishes here the one who received a lesser gift and therefore grieves."

To strengthen the consolation, the Apostle brings in both the Son and the Father. He calls the gifts themselves by another name here, wishing by this too to provide greater consolation. Therefore he says, “There are divisions of ministries.” On hearing of a gift, the one who received less might perhaps have grieved. But on hearing of ministry, he will not grieve, for this word signifies toil and work. That is, the gifts are for service. “Why do you grieve,” he says, “if God commanded another to labor more and spared you?” (Saint Chrysostom).