The apostle Paul encouraged the church at Corinth to “covet earnestly the best gifts.” (1 Corinthians 12:31) Yet the distribution of these gifts is the prerogative of the Holy Spirit, who distributes them “according to His will” (1 Corinthians 12:11).
The NT Greek word “allos” refers to “another of the same kind”: a numerical difference. For example, The NT Greek word “heteros” refers to “another of a different kind”.“ another comforter: whereas “allos parakletos” refers to another of the same kind (John 14:16).
In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, the Apostle Paul uses these two Greek words to mark important changes. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man for the profit of all (the common good). For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another (same kind) the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another (different kind) faith by the same Spirit; to another (same kind) the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another (same kind) the working of miracles; to another (same kind) prophecy; to another (same kind) discerning of spirits; to another (a different kind) divers kinds of tongues; to another (same kind) the interpretation of tongues. But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
“All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another (of the same kind] flesh of animals, another (same kind) of fish, and another (same kind) of birds. There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another (different) kind. There is one glory of the sun, another (same kind) glory of the moon, and another (same kind) glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.” (1 Corinthians 15:39-41)
WHEN ANOINTED, SAUL WAS A NEW MAN
“The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you — literally, rush upon you — suddenly endowing you with a capacity to act in a manner far superior to your previous character and habits; and instead of the simplicity, ignorance, and sheepishness of a peasant, you will display an energy, wisdom, and magnanimity worthy of a prince.” (Jamieson, Fausett & Brown)
“Before you know it, the Spirit of God will come on you and you’ll be prophesying right along with them. And you’ll be transformed. You’ll be a new person!” (The Message)
WHEN NOT ANOINTED, SAMSON LIKE ANY OTHER MAN
“…I will be as another man.” Judges 16:7, 11 (KJV). “Like anyone else.” (The Message)
TWO DIFFERENT LAWS IN CONFLICT
“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law (of a different kind) in my members…the law of sin.” (Romans 7:22, 23, 25)
A HIGHER LAW THAN THE PREVIOUS TWO LAWS BRINGS VICTORY!
“For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
SIMILARLY, TO MOVE FROM ONE GROUP OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO ANOTHER, WE NEED TO BECOME “ANOTHER PERSON” (another kind of person).
GOD WANTS US TO CROSS THE GAPS BETWEEN THE GIFTS
“I would that you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks with tongues…” (1 Corinthians 14:5) The “all” here is inclusive – we should all prophesy! But to do so, we must change into another kind of person – a person of faith, because we prophesy according to the proportion of faith. The only way one who speaks with tongues could prophesy is by moving from a tongues/interpretation kind of person to a prophetic kind of person. The gifts of wisdom and knowledge are not reserved for a favoured few. The apostle Paul exhorts all believers to “covet earnestly the best gifts” and lists them in order of importance (1 Corinthians 12:31).
The distribution of the gifts is without doubt the prerogative of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11). But the Lord sets no limits to the person you can become as you look into the face of Jesus Christ — the “mirror” — and are changed “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18 & 4:6).