1 Corinthians 12:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When he said, “To one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge” (1 Cor 12:8), he was not arranging the gifts in order, but speaking without distinction. “To one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit” (1 Cor 12:8-9). Do you see how everywhere he adds, “by the same Spirit”? He knows that the great consolation lies in this.

“To another faith, by the same Spirit.” This is not faith in dogmas, but wonderworking faith, which even moves mountains (Mt 17:20). “To another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit.” This is the gift of healing every disease and every infirmity.

Without the spirit of faith no one will believe rightly. Without the spirit of prayer no one will receive the proper answer. And all this is not because there are many spirits, but because the one and same Spirit works this, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

He says this so that another may choose the opportunity, overcoming his own timidity, to spread and guard the faith.

"To another faith, by the same Spirit." Here the Apostle calls "faith" not common faith, but the faith of which he speaks a little later: "Though I have all faith, so as to remove mountains" (1 Cor 13:2).

Because unbelief prevailed, they worked many such wondrous miracles. By them they guided unbelievers to the truth.

"To another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit." The Apostle means the healing of the sick, the walking of the lame, and the granting of light to those deprived of vision.

For this also was being done at that time, and the history of Acts bears witness to it.

Thus, of the God-wise Peter it is said that many sick people were laid in the streets "on beds, that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them" (Acts 5:15).

And of the divine Paul it is said that the sweat of his garments drove out diseases (Acts 19:12).

Thus this faith, bestowed by grace through the Holy Spirit, not only teaches but also works beyond human powers.

For whoever has this faith will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move (Mt 17:20).

Just as the mustard seed is small in size but fiery in action, and, when sown in a small space, spreads many branches, and when it grows can shelter the birds (Mk 4:30-32), so also faith in the soul quickly works the greatest deeds.

For the soul thinks on God and, enlightened by faith, beholds God as far as it can contain. It traverses the boundaries of the world, and before the end of this age it already sees the judgment and the promised recompense.

The Apostle enumerates nine kinds of spiritual gifts. Among them he places first the word of wisdom, as the capacity to penetrate the depths of the mysteries of God.

It is the word of revelation of the fundamental truths of Christianity. This gift belongs above all to the Apostles and prophets (1 Cor 2:7).

"To another the word of knowledge." This is the capacity to understand revealed truths, and is proper to all Christians (Rom 15:14; 1 Jn 2:27).

The first knows the truths of faith through direct revelation. The second knows them through scholarly investigation.

Next is faith, miracle-working faith, able even to move mountains (Mt 17:20; 1 Cor 13:2).

However, it may also mean faith that saves by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17).

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.

“To another faith, by the same Spirit.” What faith? This is not faith in dogmas, but wonderworking faith, of which Christ says, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move” (Mt 17:20). The apostles shone with it when they said, “Increase our faith” (Lk 17:5). For it is the mother of miracles (Saint Chrysostom). “To another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit.” This gift requires no explanation.

The enumeration of the gifts is complete, and it proceeds according to their kinship and distinction, in order to show their diversity and fullness.

The first gift indicated by the Apostle is wisdom, that is, the fullest possible understanding of Christianity, joined with the capacity to proclaim it to all. The second is simple knowledge.

The third is faith, able even to move mountains (Mt 17:20). The fourth is the gift of healing the sick.

The fifth is power not only to heal and show mercy, but also to inflict punishments (1 Tim 1:20). The sixth is prophecy.

The seventh is the ability to distinguish true Spirit-bearers from false ones, and the power to convict the latter. The eighth is the gift of speaking in various tongues.

What is faith? It is "not faith in dogmas, but miracle-working faith, of which Christ says, 'If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move' (Mt 17:20).

The Apostles asked for this when they said, 'Increase our faith' (Lk 17:5). For it is the mother of miracles" (Saint Chrysostom).

"Here the Apostle means not common faith, but the faith of which he speaks a little later: 'Though I have all faith, so as to remove mountains' (1 Cor 13:2).

Because unbelief prevailed, the Apostles and other believers worked many such wondrous miracles. By them they guided unbelievers to the truth" (Theodoret).