What is a Spiritual Gift

Although the Bible does not come right out and define what a gift is, there is enough teaching on this subject to draw an adequate conclusion.

The main references to spiritual gifts are found in:

       1 Corinthians 12
       Romans 12
       Ephesians 4

The following definition brings together some key truths from the Word of God:

  • A Spiritual Gift is a special divine empowerment bestowed on each believer by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a given ministry God's way according to His grace and discernment to be used within the context of the Body of Christ.
Break down the definition and reflect on each part of it:

A Spiritual Gift is . . .
  • a special divine empowerment
  • bestowed on each believer
  • by the Holy Spirit
  • to accomplish a given ministry God's way
  • according to His grace and discernment
  • to be used within the context of the Body of Christ.


When you operate within this definition, you will see the church grow as each member does his/her part according to the Holy Spirit's work following God's design and purpose. Ephesians 4:16 reads . . .

From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
We have provided a link to a site that offers an online spiritual gifts assessment.  We hope that this will help you to understand your unique giftedness.