I Corinthians 12 mentions the 'word of knowledge' among the gifts of the Spirit? What is this gift? How does it differ from the gift of prophecy?
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
What is a 'word of knowledge?' Some people believe the gifts in this list are no more, and others of us see it as a practical thing to know and understand what the passage means so we can understand what God has revealed about spiritual gifts. The Bible doesn't use the phrase 'word of knowledge' elsewhere. It does use 'word' and it does use 'knowledge.' The Greek is λόγος γνώσεως (logos gnōseōs). The word translated 'word' here shows up elsewhere, and so does the word translated 'knowledge.'
We should not think that 'word' here means just one word in a sentence.
This is a list of definitions for the word in Ancient Greek from this Wiktionary site.:
Typically, in Charismatic and sometimes Pentecostal churches, a 'word of knowledge' is understood to be some fact that someone gets about someone or something, or any fact at all, through the Spirit. For example, one American preacher stood in front of an audience in Britain and said that there was a man who had gotten a certain injury from falling on icy slushy stuff, and asked him to come forward for prayer. This was a word of knowledge. Then he got another word of knowledge. "Your name is George." After this, George came forward for prayer.
I think of the word of knowledge as being a bit broader than that. Paul had supernatural knowledge of doctrine also. The word translated 'knowledge' in the previously quoted verse shows up in the following chapter, in I Corinthians 13:2 (in the accusative rather than the genitive case this time.)
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Paul had revelatory understanding of mysteries, and it may be that he gained this through the gift of the word of knowledge.
There are times in the Bible when prophets or apostles just knew certain things. Elisha knew that Gehazi had received gifts from Naaman. According the the servants of the king of Syria, Elisha also knew things the king of Syria had said in his bedchamber, and told the king of Israel. Peter knew that Ananias and Saphira had lied to the Holy Spirit.
If the Holy Spirit reveals some information to you, does that mean you have to tell everyone? Not necessarily. He could tell you so that you can pray about it, or make plans, or for some other reason.
But prophesying involves speaking. In Deuteronomy 18, we read that God would put His word into the prophets mouth. Peter, describing prophesying in Old Testament times says that 'holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' It was typical for prophets to begin their utterances with, "Thus saith the Lord' and quote God in the first person. A prophecy is a message from the Spirit of God spoken (written or communicate) to others. A prophecy can be about the future, or about the pastor or the present. It can tell detailed facts about others, the secrets of their hearts. Prophecy exhort, edifies, and encourages believers in Jesus and testify about Jesus.
You could get a word of knowledge about someone, hypothetically, and not share it or share it with that person and pray for them. You may have to pray about what to do with the knowledge. A prophecy is a message from the Spirit of God spoken through one person to another or others (usually people.)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
What is a 'word of knowledge?' Some people believe the gifts in this list are no more, and others of us see it as a practical thing to know and understand what the passage means so we can understand what God has revealed about spiritual gifts. The Bible doesn't use the phrase 'word of knowledge' elsewhere. It does use 'word' and it does use 'knowledge.' The Greek is λόγος γνώσεως (logos gnōseōs). The word translated 'word' here shows up elsewhere, and so does the word translated 'knowledge.'
We should not think that 'word' here means just one word in a sentence.
This is a list of definitions for the word in Ancient Greek from this Wiktionary site.:
λόγος • (lógos) m (genitive λόγου); second declension
- That which is said: word, sentence, speech, story, debate, utterance.
- That which is thought: reason, consideration, computation, reckoning.
- An account, explanation, or narrative.
I think of the word of knowledge as being a bit broader than that. Paul had supernatural knowledge of doctrine also. The word translated 'knowledge' in the previously quoted verse shows up in the following chapter, in I Corinthians 13:2 (in the accusative rather than the genitive case this time.)
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Paul had revelatory understanding of mysteries, and it may be that he gained this through the gift of the word of knowledge.
There are times in the Bible when prophets or apostles just knew certain things. Elisha knew that Gehazi had received gifts from Naaman. According the the servants of the king of Syria, Elisha also knew things the king of Syria had said in his bedchamber, and told the king of Israel. Peter knew that Ananias and Saphira had lied to the Holy Spirit.
If the Holy Spirit reveals some information to you, does that mean you have to tell everyone? Not necessarily. He could tell you so that you can pray about it, or make plans, or for some other reason.
But prophesying involves speaking. In Deuteronomy 18, we read that God would put His word into the prophets mouth. Peter, describing prophesying in Old Testament times says that 'holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.' It was typical for prophets to begin their utterances with, "Thus saith the Lord' and quote God in the first person. A prophecy is a message from the Spirit of God spoken (written or communicate) to others. A prophecy can be about the future, or about the pastor or the present. It can tell detailed facts about others, the secrets of their hearts. Prophecy exhort, edifies, and encourages believers in Jesus and testify about Jesus.
You could get a word of knowledge about someone, hypothetically, and not share it or share it with that person and pray for them. You may have to pray about what to do with the knowledge. A prophecy is a message from the Spirit of God spoken through one person to another or others (usually people.)
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