Bible study: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit distributed them", 1 Corinthians 12:4. Exegesis and commentary.
Paul explains to us that the spirit is the origin of spiritual gifts: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit distributed them", 1 Corinthians 12:4.
But, what does Paul understand as Spirit? Thomas Aquinas explains that the Bible understands the substance of God as spirit, and as the substance of God is the perfection of wisdom. The origine of the spiritual gifts is in the wisdom.
This interpretation of the spirit as wisdom is very important, because wisdom in practical terms is also the desire to learn, the desire to learn is the opposite of ignorance: "The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction", Wisdom 6:17
This is why Jesus explains: "But even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it into practice", Luke 11:28. The simple faith is not enough, we need the instruction, of the word of God (inspired wisdom), to make grow the spiritual gifts inside us. The faith is define as "accept the creed".
Paul explains that there is a multiplicity of gifts, that is, qualities of God: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of widom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines" 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Although Paul does not express it, these gifts are not habitual, that is, they are not the daily gifts and are usually the most striking and spectacular; daily gifts are for example mercy (compassion, amability, affability, benevolence, benedicence), piety or fear of the lord (constancy, firmness, devotion, ecuanimity, stability), spiritual gift of fortitude (continuous improvement), rectitude (golden rule) and perseverance.
Of all these gifts, mentioned by Paul, the most important are those that build the community: the spiritual gift of wisdom, knowledge, and prophecy among love are the most relevant.
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