1 Corinthians 12:10
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Notice how the verse lists "ability to distinguish between spirits" right after "prophecy." This placement suggests that discerning the true source of a prophetic message—whether divine, human, or even deceptive—was considered just as vital a spiritual gift as prophesying itself. It's a reminder that spiritual discernment is a God-given tool, crucial for navigating the spiritual realm.
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is continuing his discussion about spiritual gifts within the church at Corinth, addressing their misuse and confusion surrounding them. He's listing various abilities God gives to believers to build up the community, stressing that these gifts, while diverse, all come from the same Spirit. This passage comes right after he's explained that the body of Christ needs all its different parts to function, and it leads into his famous chapter on love being the most excellent way.
In a world buzzing with spiritual claims and experiences, how do we know what's truly from God? This verse points to a specific gift that helps us discern.
The Gift of Discernment
The Apostle Paul lists several spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, and among them is the 'ability to distinguish between spirits.' This isn't just a gut feeling or a passive sense; it's an active, God-given capacity.
The church in Corinth was experiencing a rich outpouring of spiritual gifts, but this also brought confusion. How does God provide clarity when there's so much 'spiritual noise'?
Order from Spiritual Overflow
Ask a follow-up
Paul's list in 1 Corinthians 12 isn't just a catalog of cool abilities; it's about how God builds up His church in an orderly way. The gifts of tongues, interpretation, and distinguishing spirits are all part of this divine strategy.
Understand the original words
dynamis · Greek Noun
Supernatural events or mighty works that transcend the ordinary laws of nature, demonstrating the power of God to validate the message of the Gospel.
prophēteia · Greek Noun
The Spirit-inspired proclamation of a message from God to His people, intended for edification, exhortation, and comfort, rather than necessarily predicting the future.
diakrisis pneumatōn · Greek Noun phrase
A spiritual gift of discernment that allows a believer to evaluate whether a message, action, or influence originates from the Holy Spirit, human spirit, or demonic forces.
glōssa · Greek Noun
The supernatural ability to speak in languages (either human or angelic) that the speaker has not learned, serving as a sign to unbelievers or for private prayer.
hermēneia · Greek Noun
The supernatural gift of explaining the meaning of a message spoken in an unknown tongue so that the church community can understand and be edified.
This passage directly follows the list of spiritual gifts, elaborating on prophecy and tongues with interpretation, highlighting their purpose in building up the church.
Romans 12:6-8Paul lists similar spiritual gifts, including prophecy and gifts of service and teaching, showing how these diverse abilities function within the body of Christ.
Acts 2:4This foundational Pentecost event describes the apostles speaking in tongues and being filled with the Holy Spirit, a precedent for the diverse spiritual manifestations mentioned in Corinthians.
1 John 4:1This verse speaks to the discernment of spirits, urging believers to test the spirits to see if they are from God, directly relating to the gift of distinguishing between spirits.
Notice how the verse lists "ability to distinguish between spirits" right after "prophecy." This placement suggests that discerning the true source of a prophetic message—whether divine, human, or even deceptive—was considered just as vital a spiritual gift as prophesying itself. It's a reminder that spiritual discernment is a God-given tool, crucial for navigating the spiritual realm.
Paul is continuing his discussion about spiritual gifts within the church at Corinth, addressing their misuse and confusion surrounding them. He's listing various abilities God gives to believers to build up the community, stressing that these gifts, while diverse, all come from the same Spirit. This passage comes right after he's explained that the body of Christ needs all its different parts to function, and it leads into his famous chapter on love being the most excellent way.
Paul is continuing his discussion about spiritual gifts within the church at Corinth, addressing their misuse and confusion surrounding them. He's listing various abilities God gives to believers to build up the community, stressing that these gifts, while diverse, all come from the same Spirit. This passage comes right after he's explained that the body of Christ needs all its different parts to function, and it leads into his famous chapter on love being the most excellent way.
"to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues." — Notice how the verse lists "ability to distinguish between spirits" right after "prophecy." This placement suggests that discerning the true source of a prophetic message—whether divine, human, or ev…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
