Ever felt like you were just naturally "good" at something that other people find impossible? Maybe you’re the person who stays calm in a crisis, or you just seem to know exactly what to say to someone who is grieving. In many religious and spiritual circles—specifically within the Christian tradition—these aren't just personality quirks. They're called spiritual gifts.
But when people ask what are all of the spiritual gifts, they usually get a list of confusing Greek words or a dry sermon. That’s boring. Honestly, these gifts are meant to be tools, not just labels. They are supposed to help a community function, like different parts of a body working together so the whole thing doesn't fall over. If everyone was the "eye," how would the body hear anything?
Where the Lists Actually Come From
Most scholars point to three or four main spots in the New Testament to define these. You’ve got Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. Some people throw 1 Peter 4 into the mix too.
The weird thing? None of these lists are identical. Paul, who wrote most of this stuff, wasn't trying to be an exhaustive accountant. He was writing letters to messy, struggling churches. He mentioned the gifts that were relevant to their specific problems. Because of this, theologians have argued for centuries about the exact number. Some say there are 9. Others say 17, 22, or even more if you count "natural" talents that get spiritually supercharged.
The Power Gifts: Things Get Supernatural
Let's talk about the controversial ones first. These are the gifts that make people lean in or back away, depending on their background.
First, there’s Healing. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but it’s not always about physical miracles. Sometimes it’s emotional or mental. Then you have Miracles, which is the "big stuff"—the kind of interventions that defy natural laws.
Faith is another one. Not just "I believe in God" faith, but a specific, mountain-moving confidence that God is going to do something impossible right now. It's a gift that keeps a group of people from giving up when things look bleak.
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Then there’s Prophecy. People get this mixed up with fortune-telling. In a spiritual context, it’s usually more about "forth-telling"—speaking a specific truth from God into a specific situation. It’s about correction and encouragement.
And, of course, Tongues and Interpretation. This is a huge point of debate between "cessationists" (who think these gifts stopped after the Apostles died) and "continuationists" (who think they’re still happening). Whether you think it’s a literal prayer language or just a sign, it’s a staple in the discussion of what are all of the spiritual gifts.
The "Quiet" Gifts You Might Already Have
We tend to ignore the "boring" ones. That’s a mistake.
Administration (or Governance) is a massive spiritual gift. Think about it. Have you ever been to a church event that was a total disaster because nobody knew where the napkins were? That’s a lack of administration. People with this gift see the big picture and the tiny details simultaneously. They organize the chaos so the mission can actually happen.
Helps and Service. These people are the backbone of any community. They don't want the stage. They just want to make sure the widow’s lawn is mowed or the nursery is clean. It sounds mundane, but according to the texts, it’s just as "spiritual" as preaching a sermon.
Exhortation. This is basically the gift of "lighting a fire under someone." It’s more than just being a cheerleader. An exhorter sees someone who is drifting or discouraged and speaks the exact words needed to get them back on track. It’s high-energy, intentional encouragement.
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Giving. Everyone is supposed to give, sure. But some people have a supernatural ability to manage resources and a deep, gut-level desire to give them away. They don't just give out of their "extra"; they find ways to generate wealth specifically so they can fund things that matter.
The Leadership and Communication Gifts
- Apostleship: This is about "sent-ness." Pioneers. People who start new things and oversee multiple projects or communities.
- Teaching: The ability to take complex truths and make them stick. If you've ever listened to a speaker and felt like a lightbulb finally went off, they probably have this gift.
- Knowledge and Wisdom: These are different. Knowledge is the "what"—the deep understanding of truth. Wisdom is the "how"—knowing exactly how to apply that truth to a messy, real-life situation.
- Pastoring (Shepherding): The long-term care of people. It’s about sticking around for the long haul to guide and protect a specific group.
Why the Context of 2026 Matters
In today's hyper-digital world, how we think about what are all of the spiritual gifts is shifting. We’re seeing "Teaching" happen through podcasts. We’re seeing "Encouragement" happen in Discord servers. The medium changes, but the core "gift" remains the same.
Cessationists (like those following the late B.B. Warfield’s logic) argue that the "sign gifts" like miracles and tongues were only to validate the early message of the Gospel. On the flip side, Pentecostal and Charismatic scholars like Dr. Craig Keener point to thousands of documented cases of miracles globally as evidence that these gifts are very much active.
Most people fall somewhere in the middle. They believe God can do anything, but they see the "service" gifts as the primary way the world is changed day-to-day.
The Danger of "Gift Envy"
It happens all the time. Someone wants to be the "Teacher" because they like the attention, but they’re actually gifted in "Mercy."
Mercy is the ability to feel what others feel. It’s raw empathy. If you have the gift of mercy but try to force yourself into "Administration," you’re going to be miserable. You’ll be crying over the spreadsheets instead of organizing them.
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Knowing what are all of the spiritual gifts isn't about collecting badges. It’s about self-awareness. It's about knowing where you fit in the puzzle so you stop trying to be a piece you're not.
How to Figure Out Yours
Don't just take an online quiz. Those things are basically personality tests with a religious coat of paint. They can be helpful, but they aren't the final word.
Instead, look at your "fruit." What happens when you do stuff? When you talk to people, do they feel challenged (Exhortation)? Do they feel comforted (Mercy)? When you handle a project, does it actually succeed (Administration)?
Ask your friends. "Hey, when do you see me at my most 'alive'?" Other people usually see our gifts before we do. We often overlook our own gifts because they feel "easy" to us. We assume everyone can do it. Newsflash: they can’t.
Putting the Gifts to Use
If you think you've identified a gift, start small.
If you think it's Hospitality, host a dinner. If it's Discernment (the ability to tell if something is spiritually "off"), start paying closer attention to your gut feelings in meetings or conversations.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Read the Source Material: Sit down and read Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4 back-to-back. Note the differences.
- Audit Your Joy: List the three times in the last month you felt most "in the zone" while helping someone. Look for patterns that match the gifts listed above.
- The "Three-Person" Check: Ask three people who know you well and who you trust to be honest: "What is one way I consistently help people that seems to come naturally to me?"
- Low-Stakes Testing: Find a place to volunteer that specifically uses your suspected gift for one month. If you feel drained and resentful at the end, it’s probably not your primary gift. If you feel tired but "full," you're on the right track.