12:6 given to us. It is significant that the three listings of the gifts all differ from each other. This means that no listing is complete; in fact, some gifts were needed only for a time (e.g., that of being an apostle), and others would be needed in later periods of history. The Spirit would bestow particular gifts as needed (I Corinthians 12:7,11), not according to personal preference.

12:6 proportion of faith. “Proportion” (Greek analogia) is essentially a mathematical term. One with a prophetic gift (that is, ability to transmit divinely inspired messages) was to be able to use such a gift effectively in direct proportion to the strength of his faith.