How Many Spiritual Gifts Are There? A Complete Guide for Christians [Updated]

Have you ever wondered how many spiritual gifts are there and why that matters for your walk with Christ? Understanding spiritual gifts isn’t just a curiosity—it shapes how you serve, grow, and build up the Body of Christ. The answer isn’t always simple, since both the Bible and Christian tradition offer different lists and insights.

Knowing what gifts God gives helps you recognize your God-given role and encourages you to use those strengths in your community. If you're seeking clarity or practical steps, exploring topics like Understanding Multiple Spiritual Gifts can help uncover how these gifts impact your faith and serve others. This foundation invites you to study Scripture, examine Christian history, and discover how your unique gifts connect to God’s purpose for you.

What Are Spiritual Gifts?

Spiritual gifts are at the heart of Christian belief when it comes to how God equips His people for service. If you’ve ever wondered what sets a spiritual gift apart from a skill or natural ability, you aren’t alone. Many Christians ask questions like "how many spiritual gifts are there," but before answering that, it’s important to know what a spiritual gift actually is and the purpose it serves within the Church.

Definition of Spiritual Gifts

A spiritual gift is a special ability or empowerment given by the Holy Spirit to Christians. These gifts aren't earned or developed on your own—they’re graciously given by God for a specific purpose. Each believer receives at least one spiritual gift, uniquely tailored to help build up the Body of Christ.

These gifts can include things like teaching, mercy, leadership, encouragement, and many others found in Scripture. Unlike regular talents or learned skills, spiritual gifts are rooted in the supernatural work of God. Want a deeper introduction to the topic? Our guide on Introduction to Spiritual Gifts covers more background and helpful FAQs if you’re just starting your exploration.

Biblical Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts serve a meaningful purpose in God’s plan for His people. They aren’t given for our own benefit but for the good of others and to glorify God.

• Strengthening the Church: Spiritual gifts help the church grow stronger and healthier, as every person brings something irreplaceable to the table.

• Service and Love: They provide practical ways to serve others, share Christ’s love, and meet needs within the community.

• Unity and Diversity: With many gifts come many parts of the church, just like the body has many members working together. This unity in diversity is a key message in passages like 1 Corinthians 12.

If you’d like to see how having multiple gifts can enhance your faith and calling, learn more about multiple spiritual gifts in Christians.

Spiritual Gifts vs. Talents and Traits

Many believers mix up spiritual gifts with natural talents or character traits. It’s important to know the difference:

• Spiritual Gifts: Given by the Holy Spirit; for the common good; activated through faith.

• Talents: Natural abilities you’re born with or develop over time; anyone can have them.

• Character Traits: Qualities like patience, honesty, and kindness that shape your actions and attitudes.

A person might be musically talented, but unless that ability is surrendered to and empowered by the Spirit for service in the church, it’s not technically a spiritual gift. Spiritual gifts always point back to God’s purpose and usually result in spiritual impact that goes beyond human effort.

If you’re unsure what your gifts might be, taking time in prayer or using resources like a spiritual gifts test can provide guidance.

Understanding what spiritual gifts are will help you better answer the main question: how many spiritual gifts are there, and which ones do you have? The next section will break down the lists found in Scripture and what they mean for your calling.

Counting the Spiritual Gifts in the Bible

The New Testament contains several lists of spiritual gifts, each highlighting different ways God equips believers for service. Christians have often wondered, "how many spiritual gifts are there?" because the lists differ slightly in each passage. Some gifts overlap, while others seem unique to a certain list. The main passages where these gifts are listed are Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. Understanding what's unique to each passage, along with where traditional counts vary, will help you see your gifts in a biblical context.

Romans 12:6-8 – The Motivational Gifts

Paul’s letter to the Romans offers a list sometimes called the “motivational gifts” because they shape how Christians serve. Romans 12:6-8 identifies seven gifts:

• Prophecy: Speaking God’s truth to encourage or correct.

• Serving (or Ministry): Meeting practical needs with a willing heart.

• Teaching: Making God’s word understandable for others.

• Encouragement (or Exhortation): Uplifting and motivating people to keep moving forward.

• Giving: Sharing resources sacrificially with joy.

• Leadership (or Administration): Guiding or organizing people and projects in the church.

• Mercy: Showing compassion to the hurting.

These gifts are often seen as motivations—the inner drives often visible in a believer’s daily priorities and passions. For Christians, discovering and using these motivations helps each person play a meaningful part in the church family. You can learn even more about the types of spiritual gifts and their biblical roots by exploring further.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30 – The Manifestation and Ministry Gifts

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians lists two related sets of gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 mentions:

1. Wisdom

2. Knowledge

3. Faith

4. Healing

5. Miraculous Powers

6. Prophecy

7. Distinguishing between Spirits

8. Speaking in Tongues

9. Interpretation of Tongues

1 Corinthians 12:28-30 adds:

• Apostleship

• Teaching

• Miracles

• Healing

• Helps

• Administration

• Various Kinds of Tongues

Many of these overlap, but we see distinct ministry roles paired with miraculous “manifestation gifts” given by the Holy Spirit for building up the community in visible and practical ways. In the early Christian church, these gifts helped confirm the gospel message and unified a diverse group of new believers. The range of gifts in Corinthians shows the Spirit’s creativity and generosity, providing each member of the body with a unique part to play. For a summary of these different lists, the resource at How Many Spiritual Gifts Are There? provides a helpful comparative overview.

Ephesians 4:11 – The Ministry Offices

Ephesians 4:11 focuses on leadership roles often called the “fivefold ministry.” These leadership gifts are:

1. Apostles

2. Prophets

3. Evangelists

4. Pastors (or Shepherds)

5. Teachers

These roles are essential for equipping the church to do ministry, guiding its growth, and keeping it spiritually healthy. Unlike the lists in Romans or Corinthians, Ephesians highlights gifts meant to grow and train the whole body, not just serve individuals. Each of these gifts brings different strengths: apostles launch new works, prophets reveal God’s heart, evangelists share the gospel, pastors care for people, and teachers explain doctrine. To see how these ministries fit within the broader view of spiritual gifts, check out more on Understanding Different Spiritual Gifts.

1 Peter 4:10-11 – Speaking and Serving Gifts

Peter’s list in 1 Peter 4:10-11 is the shortest, but it categorizes gifts in a practical way: speaking and serving.

• Speaking Gifts: Preaching, teaching, exhorting—anything that communicates God’s truth.

• Serving Gifts: Practical ministry—helping, giving, showing mercy, supporting others behind the scenes.

Peter simplifies the diverse gifts into these two practical expressions, reminding us that whether your gift is public or behind-the-scenes, every believer is called to steward their God-given strengths. His message is clear: Use whatever you’ve received to serve others “as faithful stewards of God’s grace.”

You’ll notice that when asking "how many spiritual gifts are there," the answer will shift depending on how you count overlap and whether you see these as separate gifts or broader categories. Some traditions count as few as 7, while others list over 20, depending on which passages and definitions they use. For more perspective on the complexity of these lists, Is there a biblical spiritual gifts list? breaks down each passage and its unique contribution.

However you count, every believer has a part to play—and finding yours helps you step boldly into your purpose.

Types and Categories of Spiritual Gifts

The question "how many spiritual gifts are there" leads not just to a number but to a rich variety of gifts, each serving a vital purpose in the Christian community. The apostles described these gifts in more than one way: by type, by use, and by impact. Over the years, Christians have found it helpful to organize the spiritual gifts into broad categories. While the number of gifts may vary depending on how they are counted, their groupings reveal how the Holy Spirit moves through each believer, serving the Church in different ways.

Motivational Gifts

Motivational gifts shape the way believers view life, people, and situations. These gifts often influence everything a person does, providing the “why” behind their actions. Paul outlines these in Romans 12. They can include:

• Prophecy: Calling out truth and giving spiritual perspective.

• Serving: Meeting needs joyfully behind the scenes.

• Teaching: Making complex truths simple and practical.

• Encouragement: Supporting and motivating others.

• Giving: Sharing resources to bless others.

• Leadership: Guiding and organizing groups toward a purpose.

• Mercy: Showing empathy and comfort to those hurting.

Motivational gifts drive the basic impulses that power the church. When people operate out of their spiritual motivations, the whole body benefits. For a deeper look at these groupings and their impact, visit Understanding the Different Types of Spiritual Gifts.

Manifestation Gifts

Manifestation gifts are signs of the Holy Spirit's active presence. These are often miraculous, revealing that God is at work in dramatic ways. The gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 fit here:

• Word of wisdom

• Word of knowledge

• Faith

• Healing

• Miracles

• Prophecy

• Discernment of spirits

• Speaking in tongues

• Interpretation of tongues

These gifts show the mystery and power of God, often drawing people’s attention back to Him. They serve to encourage, guide, and sometimes astonish both believers and non-believers.

Ministry (or Office) Gifts

These gifts are tied to specific roles of leadership and service in the church, especially in shaping the spiritual growth of others. Ephesians 4:11 lists the core “offices” or ministry gifts:

• Apostles

• Prophets

• Evangelists

• Pastors

• Teachers

These gifts equip, train, and lead believers. Pastors and teachers nurture faith. Evangelists reach new people. Prophets and apostles guide vision and direction. All help the Church mature and stay anchored in truth. For those interested in connecting gifts and calling with leadership, explore Christian Leadership Development.

Service and Use Gifts

Sometimes called “serving gifts,” these focus on practical help and building up the body in everyday, often unseen ways. Examples include:

• Helps

• Hospitality

• Administration

• Giving

• Mercy

People with service gifts keep ministries running smoothly and help the church stay caring and organized. While these gifts may not be as public as preaching or healing, they’re essential to a healthy church family.

Grouping Spiritual Gifts for Today

Each type or category points to a unique way God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Sometimes the same gift shows up in more than one category, depending on how it’s being used within the church. This overlap highlights the flexibility and unity of spiritual gifts.

For more on categorizing gifts and their roles, the section on types of spiritual gifts provides helpful guidance for applying this knowledge in your spiritual journey.

Understanding these categories brings clarity. Rather than getting lost in numbers, you see God’s intention: a church full of diverse, spiritually-empowered people, each with a necessary part to play.

Why Are There Different Numbers of Spiritual Gifts?

If you’ve been searching for an exact answer to “how many spiritual gifts are there,” you’re not alone. The number isn’t set in stone, and this sometimes leaves Christians wondering why the lists don’t match up. What’s behind all these different counts—and does the total actually matter as much as the gifts themselves?

Different Biblical Lists and Their Meanings

The New Testament doesn’t give one master list of spiritual gifts. Instead, it spreads several lists throughout different books. Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, and 1 Peter each describe gifts but group and name them in their own ways. Sometimes the same gift, like prophecy or teaching, appears in multiple places. In other cases, unique gifts show up in just one passage.

• Romans 12 highlights motivational gifts such as service, teaching, and encouragement.

• 1 Corinthians 12 lists more supernatural gifts, like healing and tongues.

• Ephesians 4 focuses on leadership roles within the church.

• 1 Peter 4 boils it down to speaking and serving gifts.

Depending on how you count and categorize these lists, totals often range from seven to more than twenty. Differences in Bible translation, word choice, and tradition can make the numbers shift even more.

The Role of Church Tradition and Interpretation

Christian traditions interpret these lists differently. Some churches stick closely to the early church’s focus and only recognize the gifts listed in the Pauline letters. Others see the lists as examples rather than exhaustive inventories, believing God may give gifts not explicitly named in Scripture.

Translators also choose different English words for Greek terms, which can affect your count. For instance, some Bibles list “leadership,” while others use “administration”—are they the same gift or two distinct ones? This is one reason why no single answer fits every denomination or Christian community.

You’ll also find helpful insights in resources like Exploring spiritual gifts spectrum, which unpacks how a believer might experience multiple giftings or unique combinations in their spiritual walk.

Why the Number Is Less Important Than the Purpose

It’s easy to focus on counting and miss the bigger picture. While the question “how many spiritual gifts are there” helps guide learning, what matters most is why God gives these gifts in the first place.

• Every gift, whether listed once or several times, serves to strengthen, encourage, and build up the Church.

• God gives different gifts so believers can meet real needs and reach diverse groups.

• The diversity of gifts highlights God’s creativity and His care for each individual’s calling.

This focus encourages us to value each gift, not just tally them. Whether your gifts are well-known or work quietly behind the scenes, each has a special role in God’s plan. Want to find out how multiple gifts work together in everyday faith? Dive deeper into the guide to multiple spiritual gifts to see practical examples and grow in confidence.

Embracing the Full Value of Spiritual Gifts

The value of spiritual gifts is not found in the final count, but in their purpose and use. These gifts equip the Church to thrive and adapt, helping every believer to play a meaningful part. Whether you find yourself drawn to one clear gift or a blend, it’s the Holy Spirit who empowers every act of service.

If the numbers leave you wondering, remember: it’s less about having a complete checklist and more about discovering how the Spirit works through you. For more on understanding the types of spiritual gifts and how they serve the Church today, check out different types of spiritual gifts.

By exploring these differences, you can move beyond counting and into living out your gifts—helping the Body of Christ grow in faith, unity, and love.

Spiritual Gifts and the Christian Life

Spiritual gifts are not just a theological concept but a real and active part of daily Christian living. The Bible describes a variety of gifts, and knowing how many spiritual gifts are there can lead to real transformation in your walk of faith. Recognizing, developing, and using these gifts matters for every believer, whether you're new to faith or have walked with Christ for many years. The path to maturity in Christ involves both serving others and growing from the inside out.

Recognizing Your Spiritual Gifts

Every Christian receives at least one spiritual gift, but discovering which one—or which combination—you possess is a personal journey. Sometimes your gift matches a skill you already have, while other times it may surprise you or come alive in unexpected ways.

To recognize your spiritual gifts, start by looking at these indicators:

• What activities bring you the deepest sense of purpose and joy when serving others?

• Do people affirm certain strengths or qualities in your faith or ministry?

• Have you sensed God's nudging to meet a particular need in your church or community?

Prayerfully reflecting on these questions, asking others for feedback, and exploring structured tools such as a spiritual gifts test can help shine a light on your God-given abilities.

Developing Spiritual Gifts Responsibly

Once you recognize your gifts, growth follows intentional practice and humility. Even the strongest gifts need nurturing. Take opportunities to serve in different roles, step out of your comfort zone, and learn from mature believers. The Apostle Paul urges believers to desire the greater gifts but always pair them with love and wisdom (see 1 Corinthians 13).

Some practical ways to develop your gifts include:

• Serving regularly in your area of gifting, whether that's teaching, encouraging, or helping.

• Learning from those with similar gifts in your church or through faithful resources.

• Praying for wisdom and sensitivity on how to apply your gifts for God's glory, not self-promotion.

A healthy approach keeps you humble, curious, and open to God's direction. As you serve, remember that the outcome should never elevate you above others but always build up the whole Body of Christ.

Using Gifts to Build Others Up

God's design for spiritual gifts centers on building up the community. Paul tells the churches that each part of the body is indispensable, and every gift, no matter how public or hidden, supports the growth of others.

Key principles for using spiritual gifts:

• Focus on serving others, not gaining attention or personal power.

• Use your gifts in partnership with other believers, honoring different strengths.

• Seek out feedback and correction, recognizing that spiritual gifts thrive in a context of accountability and love.

When everyone uses their gifts in this way, the church flourishes. Spiritual gifts do not exist to draw attention to individuals but to strengthen faith, deepen unity, and reach more people with the message of Christ.

Spiritual Gifts and the Fruit of the Spirit

Many Christians wrestle with the difference between gifts and fruit of the Spirit. While gifts are specific abilities given by the Holy Spirit for service, the fruit of the Spirit refers to the character traits like love, joy, and patience that mark a maturing believer. Gifts can exist without fruit, but their full potential is only reached when they're combined.

For a helpful comparison of both, visit this resource on the differences between gifts and fruits in the Spirit. Using your spiritual gifts in ways that show the fruits of the Spirit leads to healthy, lasting impact in your life and the lives you touch.

If you're seeking practical ways to deepen both gifting and character, you may benefit from practices such as Christian mindfulness, which can help you listen for the Spirit's guidance and move forward thoughtfully in your calling.

Staying available to God's leading, using your gifts to serve, and growing in Christlike character shapes the Christian life into something beautiful and effective—no matter how many spiritual gifts are there.

Conclusion

The Bible does not give one final answer for how many spiritual gifts are there, yet its message is clear: God gives each gift with purpose for building up the church. Every believer has a role that brings value to the body of Christ, whether the gift is widely recognized or quietly faithful. Focusing on the purpose and use of your gifts will help you serve others and honor God above all.

Your next step is to identify your own gifts and seek ways to put them into practice. The real power of spiritual gifts comes when you use them to bless your community, grow in faith, and support fellow believers.

Take time this week to reflect on your unique strengths and ask God how you can use them in new ways. Spiritual gifts are more than a list—they are an invitation to deeper service and richer faith. If you’re curious about how scriptural challenges can reveal purpose, consider insights like those from Paul's Thorn in the Flesh Explained, which can spark further growth and discovery on your spiritual path.

Thank you for investing time in this important topic. Your gifts matter—explore them, develop them, and see where God leads.