Knowledge

DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

KNOWLEDGE

1 Cor 12:7-11

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 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.   11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

NIV

This gift of knowledge may be one of the more difficult gifts to get a full understanding of just what it means and how it works. Because the Greek word here is Gnosis and we get the word gnostic or the doctrine of Gnosticism, which simply means to know, some would have us believe it is related to the science of learning information. This is specifically related in Christianity to the learned knowledge of the secrets of the Old Testaments, which is gaining the understanding of all the types and prophesies relating to the revelation given to John. However, that seems to be centered on the ability of man to learn this knowledge, to gain knowledge through study. This might be how this gift is seen, however, unless all that knowledge is shared and fully understood by all of the church, it does not meet the qualification of being for the common good. In order words, unless this is a message of knowledge, it remains within the mind of the one person who has learned it. This would also mean this one who learned it has to be able to effectively communicate all his learned knowledge to all the church so they, at whatever learning abilities they have, gain a full understanding of this knowledge. Therefore, it has to be a gift of the Spirit. The Spirit has to be at work in a person illuminating divine knowledge for the purpose of the common good. There are some Pentecostal or charismatic groups who indicate this gift is someone being relieved information about someone else of which they have no knowledge, by any other means. But that is also not for the common good as it would only apply as a one on one experience. So then, what is this gift and how does it work as it is meant here. It certainly is the giving of special knowledge, divine knowledge regarding the word of God, for that is where all truth is contained. However, it is not through study, for that is how human knowledge is obtained. This is the Spirit manifesting himself at a specific time through either a sermon, a message, or in a discussion, or through the written word, that is disseminated throughout the church, at least within the local church, so there is a common good reached. But, again, anyone can be used by the Spirit, as He determines, to bring forth this divine knowledge. This gift can be manifested within someone who has absolutely no skilled training in communication or has any learned knowledge through study. We must always remember this is a gift of the Spirit, this is the manifestation of the Spirit at work in a willing person for the purpose of the common good. Let us allow the Spirit to be the giver of His gifts, and be willing to be used as He determines.