Very often these gifts work together, as tongues and interpretation work together. But we
divide them as they are divided here in First Corinthians chapter 12 in order to distinguish them
and to talk about them.
We can readily see that very often these gifts of the Spirit are in manifestation together.
For example, sometimes what we call prophecy is actually a word of wisdom that is being
given forth. It is not really the simple gift of prophecy at all because the simple gift of prophecy
has no revelation; that is, no foretelling or element of prediction with it. The simple gift of
prophecy brings edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Cor. 14:3). (We'll discuss this in greater
detail in Chapter 13.)
These gifts are listed in the order of their importance. Of the three gifts of revelation, the word
of wisdom is the best gift because it brings supernatural revelation of the plan and purpose of
God.
Of the three gifts of power, the gift of faith is the best gift because it is the supernatural ability
to work a miracle.
Of the three gifts of utterance, the gift of prophecy is the best gift because it is complete in and
of itself and it brings edification, encouragement, and comfort to the Body of Christ (1 Cor.
14:3).
The Bible does say to seek earnestly the best gifts (1 Cor. 12:31).
The word of wisdom is the best gift of all, because as I said, it brings revelation about the
divine plan and purpose of God. Although the word of wisdom is mentioned first, we will study
the word of knowledge first because after discussing the word of knowledge, I think we can
better understand the gift of the word of wisdom.
The Gift of the Word of Knowledge
Notice that this gift is called "the word of knowledge." It is not "the gift of knowledge." There is
no such thing as a spiritual gift of knowledge. There is, however, a spiritual gift, called the word
of knowledge. The word of knowledge is the supernatural revelation by the Holy Ghost of
certain facts in the mind of God.
God is all-knowing. He knows everything. But He doesn't reveal everything He knows to man.
He just gives him a word or a part of what He knows. A
word is a fragmentary part of a sentence, so a word of knowledge would simply be a
fragmentary part of the entire knowledge or counsel of God. God is all-knowing. He has all
knowledge. But He doesn't impart all of His knowledge to us; He imparts a word of knowledge
to us — just what He wants us to know at a given time.
The Word of Knowledge Is Not Natural Knowledge
This word of knowledge is a supernatural manifestation as are all of these gifts of the Spirit.
None of them are natural gifts; they are all supernatural gifts. Since one of them is
supernatural, they all are supernatural. If one of them were natural, then all of them would be
natural.