1 Corinthians 12:8

8 The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge.

1 Corinthians 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 12:8

For to one is given by the Spirit
Now follows a distinct and particular enumeration of the operations of the Spirit, though not all of them, yet as many as the apostle thought necessary; and which are called the manifestation of him, and which most clearly show him to be the author of them to different persons;

the word of wisdom:
by which is meant "the manifold wisdom of God"; the wonderful scheme of salvation through the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ, in which God has "abounded in all wisdom and prudence"; together with all other deep, mysterious, and sublime doctrines of the Gospel, the knowledge of which were peculiarly given to the apostles in the first place, who have the first office or ministry in the church, by "the spirit of wisdom"; and which they had a faculty, a gift of declaring, opening, and explaining unto others.

To another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
meaning either knowledge of future events; or an universal knowledge of the Scriptures of truth, and the doctrines contained in them, of the whole mind and will of God therein, which is a distinct thing from saving grace: see ( 1 Corinthians 13:2 1 Corinthians 13:8 1 Corinthians 13:9 ) and is what was given to the prophets, the second office in the church, by him who is the spirit of prophecy, and by whom the prophetical writings were dictated; and therefore he is the best interpreter of them, and who only can lead into the true knowledge thereof.

1 Corinthians 12:8 In-Context

6 There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service.

7 The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.

8 The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge.

9 One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person, while to another person he gives the power to heal.

10 The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speaking God's message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not. To one person he gives the ability to speak in strange tongues, and to another he gives the ability to explain what is said.