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Edification and the Role of Spiritual Gifts in Church

The role of spiritual gifts in the church, particularly concerning their purpose of edification, is a topic with diverse interpretations among Christian traditions. While there is general agreement that spiritual gifts are given for the building up of the church, the nature, duration, and specific application of these gifts are understood differently. The Apostle Paul explicitly states, "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church" (1 Corinthians 14:12 KJV) [2]. Similarly, another translation renders this as, "Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church" (1 Corinthians 14:12 BSB) [3]. This concept of edification, or building up, is central to the discussion [4].

One perspective, often associated with cessationist viewpoints, holds that certain "miraculous" spiritual gifts, such as speaking in tongues, casting out devils, and healing, were primarily for the early church and have largely ceased. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines spiritual gifts (Greek: charismata) as "gifts supernaturally bestowed on the early Christians, each having his own proper gift or gifts for the edification of the body of Christ" [1]. It further states that these gifts were "the result of the extraordinary operation of the Spirit, as on the day of Pentecost" and were "usually communicated by the medium of the laying on of the hands of the apostles" [1]. This view concludes that "These charismata were enjoyed only for a time. They could not continue always in the Church" [1]. From this perspective, while the church continues to be edified, it is primarily through ordinary means of grace and non-miraculous gifts, such as teaching, administration, and service. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12 introduces the discussion of spiritual gifts by noting their purpose in the early church as "the signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church" [13].

In contrast, another perspective, often found in Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions, maintains that all spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, including the miraculous ones, are available and active in the church today. This view emphasizes that the purpose of these gifts remains the edification of the church, as stated in 1 Corinthians 12:7, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (KJV). Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various miraculous gifts, including those of different kinds, and notes that they were "for the edification of the Church" [6]. Proponents of this view argue that there is no scriptural basis for the cessation of these gifts and that their continued operation is vital for the church's health and growth. They see the ongoing presence of these gifts as a demonstration of God's power and a means by which believers are strengthened and the church is built up.

Regardless of the specific gifts emphasized, there is broad agreement that the church is understood as the "body of Christ," composed of many members, each with a distinct function [7, 8, 9, 10, 12]. This organic metaphor highlights the interdependence of believers and the necessity of each part contributing to the whole. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:20, explains that "there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared" [9]. The primary purpose of spiritual gifts, whether miraculous or ordinary, is not individual self-edification but the strengthening of the entire church [11]. Matthew Henry's commentary on 1 Corinthians 12 emphasizes that the various gifts are "all intended for one and the same general end, the advancement of Christianity and the church's edification" [14].

The divergence in understanding often stems from differing hermeneutical approaches to biblical texts concerning the duration and purpose of spiritual gifts. Some traditions interpret passages like 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, which speaks of prophecies, tongues, and knowledge ceasing "when that which is perfect is come," as referring to the completion of the New Testament canon or the end of the apostolic age. Other traditions interpret "that which is perfect" as referring to the return of Christ or the eternal state, thus implying the continuation of all gifts until that time. The concept of sanctification, which involves the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature under the influence of gracious principles, is also understood as a continuous work of the Spirit [5]. This ongoing work of the Spirit is often linked to the operation of spiritual gifts for the church's growth and maturity.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gifts, spiritual — (Gr. charismata), gifts supernaturally bestowed on the early Christians, each having his own proper gift or gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. These were the result of the extraordinary operation of the Spirit, as on the day of Pentecost. They were the gifts of speaking with tongues, casting out devils, healing, etc. (Mark 16:17, 18), usually communicated by the medium of the laying on of the hands of the apostles (Acts 8:17; 19:6; 1 Tim. 4:14). These charismata were enjoyed only for a time. They could not continue always in the Churc”
  2. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 14:12 — Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”
  3. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 14:12 (BSB) — It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Edification — Described -- Eph 4:12-16. Is the object of The ministerial office. -- Eph 4:11,12. Ministerial gifts. -- 1Co 14:3-5,12. Ministerial authority. -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. The Church's union in Christ. -- Eph 4:16. The gospel, the instrument of -- Ac 20:32. Love leads to -- 1Co 8:1. Exhortation to -- Jude 1:20,21. Mutual, commanded -- Ro 14:19; 1Th 5:11. All to be done to -- 2Co 12:19; Eph 4:29. Use self-denial to promote, in others -- 1Co 10:23,33. The peace of the Church favours -- Ac 9:31. Foolish questions opposed to -- 1Ti 1:4.”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit — Foretold -- Isa 35:4-6; Joe 2:28,29. Of different kinds -- 1Co 12:4-6. Enumerated -- 1Co 12:8-10,28; 14:1. Christ was endued with -- Mt 12:28. Poured out on the day of Pentecost -- Ac 2:1-4. Communicated Upon the preaching of the gospel. -- Ac 10:44-46. By the laying on of the Apostles' hands. -- Ac 8:17,18; 19:6. For the confirmation of the gospel. -- Mr 16:20; Ac 14:3; Ro 15:19; Heb 2:4. For the edification of the Church. -- 1Co 12:7; 14:12,13. Dispensed according to his sovereign will -- 1Co 12:11. Were to be sought after -- 1”
  7. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 14:4: 14:4 The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is not self-edification, but the strengthening of the entire church (see 12:7; cp. 8:1; 14:12).”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 12:12: The apostle here makes out the truth of what was above asserted, and puts the gifted men among the Corinthians in mind of their duty, by comparing the church of Christ to a human body. I. By telling us that one body may have many members, and that the many members of the same body make but one body (Co1 12:12): As the body is one, and hath many members, and all members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ; that is, Christ mystical, as divines commonly speak. Christ and his church making one body, as head and members, this body is m”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12 (introduction): THE USE AND THE ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, ESPECIALLY PROPHESYING AND TONGUES. (1Co. 12:1-31) spiritual gifts--the signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church, which is Christ's body, the complement of His incarnation, as the body is the complement of the head. By the love which pervades the whole, the gifts of the several members, forming reciprocal complements to each other, tend to the one object of perfecting the body of Christ. The ordinary and permanent gifts are comprehended together with the extraordin”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 12 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle, I. Considers the case of spiritual gifts, which were very plentifully poured out on the Corinthian church. He considers their original, that they are from God; their variety and use, that they were all intended for one and the same general end, the advancement of Christianity and the church's edification (Co1 12:1-11). II. He illustrates this by an allusion to a human body, in which all the members have a mutual relation and subserviency, and each has its proper place and use (Co1 12:12-26). III. He tells us that th”
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