Gifts Categories
Mercy Commons acknowledges the nuances* associated with the subject of Spiritual Gifts, as there is a wide spectrum of respected views on this topic. We are aware that our categories extend beyond the traditional gifts list.*
* Some gifts are clearly SUPERNATURAL (such as miracles or healing) while other gifts may seem more like a NATURAL ABILITY to do something which can be leveraged for spiritual good (like hospitality or craftsmanship). Still, other gifts may be more like a SKILL ACQUIRED over time or through study (administration perhaps) while others sound like a PERSONALITY TRAIT (like encouragement). Lastly, certain gifts are actual OFFICES (a specific role with responsibilities) that some people hold within the church. It’s also worth mentioning that several of them are DISCIPLINES which all Christians should be doing regardless of whether it’s their gift or not (prayer, serving, giving and evangelism to name a few). The difference being that ‘a gift’ would likely be characterized by a kind of ‘ease’, often accompanied by ‘higher than usual’ levels of joy when exercised.
ADMINISTRATION
Luke 14:28-30; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:28
The divine strength or ability to organize multiple tasks and groups of people to accomplish these tasks.
APOSTLESHIP
Acts 15:22-35; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 2:7-10; Ephesians 4:11-14
The divine strength or ability to pioneer new churches and ministries through planting, overseeing, and training.
CELEBACY
1 Corinthians 7:1-9, 32-35 Matthew 19:10-12
The divine strength or ability to voluntarily remain single without regret and with the ability to maintain control over sexual impulses so as to serve the Lord without distraction. Being unmarried is not necessarily the same as having this gift.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Exodus 30:22, 31:3-11; 2 Chronicles 34:9-13; Acts 18:2-3
The divine strength or ability to plan, build, and work with your hands in construction environments to accomplish multiple ministry applications.
DISCERNMENT
Matthew 16:21-23; Acts 5:1-11, 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 John 4:1-6
The divine strength or ability to spiritually identify falsehood, to distinguish between right and wrong motives and the spiritual forces at work in situations.
EVANGELISM
Acts 8:5-6, 8:26-40, 14:21, 21:8; Ephesians 4:11-14
The divine strength or ability to help non‐Christians take the necessary steps to becoming a born‐again Christian.
EXHORTATION
Acts 14:22; Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 10:24-25
The divine strength or ability to strengthen, comfort or urge others to action through the written or spoken word and Biblical truth.
FAITH
Acts 11:22-24; Romans 4:18-21; 1 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 11
The divine strength or ability to believe in God for unseen supernatural results in every arena of life.
GIVING
Mark 12:41-44; Romans 12:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:2-7
The divine strength or ability to produce wealth and to give by tithes and offerings for the purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God on earth.
HEALING
Acts 3:1-10, 9:32-35, 28:7-10; 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28
The divine strength or ability to act as an intermediary in faith, prayer, and by the laying‐on of hands for the healing of physical, mental and spiritual sickness.
HELPS
Mark 15:40-41; Acts 9:36; Romans 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:28
The divine strength or ability to work in a supportive role for the accomplishment of tasks in Christian ministry with the ability to often see the need before others do.
HOSPITALITY
Acts 16:14-15; Romans 12:13, 16:23; Hebrews 13:1-2; 1 Peter 4:9
The divine strength or ability to create warm, welcoming environments for others in places such as your home, office, or church.
INTERCESSION
Hebrews 7:25; Colossians 1:9-12, 4:12-13; James 5:14-16
The divine strength or ability to stand in the gap in prayer for someone, something, or someplace, believing for profound results.
KNOWLEDGE (word of)
Acts 5:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:8; Colossians 2:2-3
The divine strength or ability to bring truth to a situation by supernatural revelation. This is often accompanied by a word from God.
LEADERSHIP
Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 5:17; Hebrews 13:17
The divine strength or ability to influence people at their level while directing and focusing them on the big picture, vision, or idea.
MERCY
Matthew 9:35-36; Mark 9:41; Romans 12:8; 1 Thess. 5:14
The divine strength or ability to feel empathy and to care for those who are hurting in any way.
MIRACLES
Acts 9:36-42, 19:11-12, 20:7-12; Romans 15:18-19; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28
The divine strength or ability to alter the natural outcomes of life in a supernatural way through prayer, faith, and divine direction.
MUSIC
1 Samuel 16:14-23, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Psalm 33:1-3, Psalm 96:1-2, Psalm 100:1-2, Psalm 149:3, Psalm 150:1-6, Colossians 3:16, 2 Chronicles 5:12-13, 2 Samuel 6:14-15
The divine strength or ability to to praise God through music or dance in such a way as to enhance the worship experience of other believers, magnifying God’s nature and heightening their awareness of His palpable presence.
PASTOR / SHEPHERD
John 10:1-18; Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-3
The divine strength or ability to care for the personal needs of others by nurturing and mending life issues.
PROPHECY
Acts 2:37-40, 7:51-53, 26:24-29; 1 Corinthians 14:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:5
The divine strength or ability to communicate God’s truth and heart in a way that calls people to a right relationship with God.
POVERTY (voluntary)
1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32-35
The divine strength or ability to purposely live an impoverished lifestyle to serve and aid others with their material resources, renouncing material comfort and luxury in order to serve God more effectively.
SERVICE
Acts 6:1-7; Romans 12:7; Galatians 6:10; 2 Timothy 1:16-18; Titus 3:14
The divine strength or ability to do small or great tasks in working for the overall good of the body of Christ.
TEACHING
Acts 18:24-28, 20:20-21; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-14
The divine strength or ability to study and learn from the Scriptures primarily to bring understanding and depth to other Christians.
TONGUES
Acts 2:1-13; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-14
The ability to pray in a heavenly language to encourage your spirit and to commune with God. The gift of tongues is often accompanied by interpretation and should be used appropriately.
WISDOM (word of)
Acts 6:3,10; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, 12:8
The divine strength or ability to understand and to bring clarity to situations and circumstances often through applying the truths of Scripture in a practical way.
WRITING
Luke 1:1-3, 1 John 2:1, 2:12-14, 1 Timothy 3:14-15, Jude 1:3