A gift of the Spirit

The Gift of Helps

More gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 · 1 Corinthians 12:28

The gift of helps is a Spirit given readiness to support and assist others in the work of God, lending strength wherever it is needed so that ministry can go forward. Paul names it among those God has set in the church, and it is a quiet, essential grace, given for the good of the whole body.

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.1 Corinthians 12:28 (KJV)

What the gift is

When Paul lists what God has set in the church, alongside apostles, prophets, and teachers he names helps. The word points to lending a hand, taking hold to assist, coming under a load to bear it with someone. The gift of helps is a Spirit given willingness and ability to support others, to be the strength beneath a ministry, to do whatever is needed so that the work of God moves forward.

It is close to the gift of serving, and the two overlap, but helps has a particular flavor of coming alongside a person or a ministry to assist them. Those with this gift are the ones who make others effective, the steady support that no one notices until it is gone. Paul honors it by naming it in the same breath as the most visible gifts, refusing to let the church despise what looks small.

How it appears in the New Testament

Paul's ministry was carried by a host of helpers, and he never forgot them. He names Phebe, a helper of many; Priscilla and Aquila, who risked their necks for him; Onesiphorus, who often refreshed him and was not ashamed of his chain; Epaphroditus, who nearly died for the work. Whole chapters of greetings at the ends of his letters are a roll call of the people whose help made his mission possible.

Jesus Himself was supported by women who ministered to Him of their substance. The seven chosen to serve tables freed the apostles for prayer and the word. Everywhere in the New Testament the great works of God rest on a foundation of humble helpers, unseen hands that held up the arms of those on the front lines, as Aaron and Hur once held up the arms of Moses.

How it builds up the body of Christ

No ministry stands alone. The gift of helps supplies the support that lets teaching, leadership, mercy, and mission actually happen: the practical assistance, the willing hands, the strength lent at the right moment. It multiplies the effectiveness of others and keeps the whole body working together, each part supplying what another lacks.

This gift builds up precisely by being content to be unseen. It seeks no credit and asks no spotlight, and in that humility it shines with the mind of Christ, who took the form of a servant. Paul's honoring of helps is a rebuke to every ranking of gifts: in the body of Christ, the parts that seem less honorable are given more honor, and none can say to another, I have no need of thee.

How to recognize and use it

Those with this gift are happiest making others successful, quick to lend a hand, and untroubled by working behind the scenes. If that is you, give yourself gladly to it, for you are the strength beneath much good work. Serve as unto the Lord, take no offense at being overlooked, and know that the God who sees in secret sees you.

And let the whole church honor its helpers, for Paul did. The unseen hands that hold up a ministry are as vital as the visible ones, and in the day of Christ their reward will be no less. Whatever our gift, we are all members one of another, made to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

How this gift points to Christ

The gift of helps is stamped with the mind of Christ, who took upon Him the form of a servant and made Himself of no reputation. He who upholds all things by the word of His power stooped to serve, and the one who quietly holds up a ministry walks in His steps. Such hidden service is precious to Him, for He sees in secret and rewards openly, and a cup of cold water given in His name will not lose its reward. So the helper points to Jesus not by being seen but by loving as He loved, content to make others fruitful and to hear at last the welcome of the Lord who Himself came to serve.

The more excellent way

Whatever place the gift of Helps holds, Paul sets one thing above every gift. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, he says, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal; and though I have all knowledge, and all faith, and have not charity, I am nothing. The gifts will one day pass away, but now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; and the greatest of these is charity.

So this gift, like all the rest, is given by one Spirit for the common good, to build up the one body of Christ, and it is nothing at all apart from love. The gifts are not for our standing but for our serving, and they all belong to Him whose body the church is. Use whatever you have been given to love one another, and to point every eye to Jesus, from whom every good gift comes and to whom every gift returns its praise.

The Giver calls you

Every gift of the Spirit comes from the risen Christ and points back to Him. The same Lord who pours out gifts on His church calls you by name to know Him, to be filled with His Spirit, and to take your place in His body. Read the Word, pray, and gather with the family of God on The Living Bread. Free, with no ads, for all people.

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Questions people ask

What is the spiritual gift of helps?

It is a Spirit given readiness to support and assist others in the work of God, lending strength wherever it is needed so ministry can go forward. Paul names it among those God has set in the church in 1 Corinthians 12:28.

How is helps different from serving?

The two overlap closely. Serving emphasizes meeting practical needs; helps emphasizes coming alongside a person or ministry to support and strengthen them. Both are humble, essential graces that keep the body working together, and both are honored in Scripture.

Does God really value behind the scenes work?

Yes. Paul names helps alongside apostles and teachers and honors his many helpers by name. He teaches that the less visible parts of the body are given greater honor, and Jesus took the very form of a servant. The unseen hands are precious to God.