The Greek word charisma is most often translated as “spiritual gifts” in 1 Corinthians 12:1 and elsewhere in the New Testament. It emphasizes the kindness and generosity of God in giving special abilities and responsibilities to the followers of Christ, the Christian church. The gifts are intended to help them carry out their work, to reach out to those who might become members, and to strengthen the body of Christ by providing life filled with joy, peace, and effective work and worship (1 Cor 12–14).

The spiritual gifts are of two general types: (1) something that God gives for the benefit of the community as a whole, and (2) some special ability given to an individual to carry out a job or meet a need in the life of the church. Paul told the Roman Christians that their right relationship with God and the new life they enjoyed were God’s gift, or charisma
(Rom 5:15-17; 6:23). He also said he hoped God would give him the blessings (charisma) needed to strengthen the followers of Christ in Rome (Rom 1:11). The specific gifts Paul refers to in several of his letters include prophecy, speaking with wisdom and knowledge, serving and encouraging others, being generous, and taking leadership (Rom 12:4-8). Paul explains that God chose some people for special leadership as apostles, prophets, and teachers (1 Cor 12:28). Others received the ability to work miracles or heal the sick, to help others to be leaders, to speak in different kinds of languages, and to interpret what was being said in unfamiliar languages (1 Cor 12:7-11,28; 14:1-25). But Paul said that the best gift of all was love (1 Cor 13).

Church leaders placed their hands on the ones chosen for a special task (Acts 6:1-6; 1 Tim 4:14). Paul compared the life of the church and all the duties within it with the human body. All the different parts receive from God’s Spirit the ability to function for the spiritual health and growth of the whole body of Christ’s followers (1 Cor 12:12-26).