1 Corinthians 12:4

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 12:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Now there are diversities of gifts, etc.] Of spiritual ones, as in (<461201>1 Corinthians 12:1) which spring from the free grace, and good will and pleasure of God, and are not owing to the merits of men; and therefore such who have the largest share of them should not boast of them as acquired by themselves, or be puffed up on account of them; and those who have the smallest measure should be content and thankful; for though the gifts are different, some have greater, and others lesser, none have all, but all have some, yet not alike: but the same Spirit; is the author and giver of all as he pleases; the lesser gifts, and the smallest degree of them, come from the Spirit of God, as well as…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“diversities of gifts--that is, varieties of spiritual endowments peculiar to the several members of the Church: compare "dividing to every man severally" (Co1 12:11). same Spirit--The Holy Trinity appears here: the Holy Spirit in this verse; Christ in Co1 12:5; and the Father in Co1 12:6. The terms "gifts," "administrations," and "operations," respectively correspond to the Divine Three. The Spirit is treated of in Co1 12:7, &c.; the Lord, in Co1 12:12, &c.; God, in Co1 12:28. (Compare Eph 4:4-6).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Now there are diversities of gifts - There are different endowments conferred on Christians. For the meaning of the word “gifts,” see the note at Romans 1:11; compare Romans 5:15-16; Romans 6:23; Romans 11:29; Rom 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 7:7. But the same Spirit - Produced by the same Spirit - the Holy Spirit. What those diversities of gifts are, the apostle enumerates in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11. The design for which he refers to these various endowments is evidently to show those whom he addressed, that since they are all produced by the same Holy Spirit, have all the same divine origin, and are all intended to answer some important purpose and end in the Christian church,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit - Divers streams, but all from one fountain. This verse speaks of the Holy Ghost, the next of Christ, the sixth of God the Father. The apostle treats of the Spirit, Co1 12:7, &c.; of Christ, Co1 12:12, &c.; of God, Co1 12:28, &c. 1 Corinthians 12:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:4-11 Though believers are united in the Lord and his Spirit, God gives different kinds of spiritual gifts to different people so that they can fulfill different kinds of service to the same Lord (see also 7:7; 12:7-11, 28-31; Rom 12:6-8; Eph 4:11).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“there: Co1 12:8-11, Co1 12:28; Rom 12:4-6; Eph 4:4; Heb 2:4; Pe1 4:10 1 Corinthians 12:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification