Basic TrainingBible MinistriesGene CunninghamBasic Training Bible Ministries KBKnowledge Base

What is the relationship between spiritual gifts, natural talents, and the Holy Spirit?

Spiritual gifts are distinct from natural talents. While talents are related to physical birth, spiritual gifts are related to spiritual birth and are supernatural in nature (1 Cor. 1:26–29; 2:12–14). The gifts of the Spirit are different from 'the fruit of the Spirit' (Gal. 5:22–23), with the presence of a gift indicating the indwelling of the Spirit, but the presence of fruit evidencing the filling of the Spirit. Spiritual gifts can be imitated, whereas the fruit of the Spirit cannot. The Corinthians exhibited every spiritual gift (1 Cor. 1:7) and emphasized the exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12–14), yet were carnal (1 Cor. 3:1). Pursuing the fruit is far better than pursuing the gift, as where the fruit exists, the gift will surely function. Paul calls this 'a still more excellent way' (1 Cor. 12:31). There are twenty different categories of spiritual gifts mentioned in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.

Also asked: What is the difference between spiritual abilities and natural abilities in the context of the Holy Spirit? · What is the relationship between possessing a spiritual gift and exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit? · How are the Holy Spirit's gifts and the characteristics of the Holy Spirit's presence distinct from each other?

Source: The Basics The Basics — Spiritual gifts (canonical doctrine) · Read this lesson in the book →

What this answer is about

The subjects this answer names in its own words. Where the record names that subject itself, it is shown in bold.

Related questions

See also

Scripture this answer rests on

Scripture the book prints on the pages this answer's source covers. That source names a range of pages rather than one spot, so these passages sit near this teaching rather than on it. Shown in Bible order.

Also printed on these pages

Where this is taught in the book

Closest first: the pages where the book treats this subject most directly.

See also — the rest of this lesson in the book

Scripture is not BTBM’s to license: the references above link to Blue Letter Bible (NASB95), and the verse text shown on this page is served by BLB under their own license and terms.