We can render them this way: “. . . and there are varieties of energizings, but it is the same God who energizes them all in everyone.” And these gifts are “energized by one and the same Spirit.” This is Paul’s way of telling us that spiritual gifts, whether gifts of tongues or teaching, whether exhortation or evangelism, whether prophesying or pastoring, are the effect or result of divine power. Spiritual gifts are the concrete, tangible manifestations of divine energy in and through followers of Jesus. Paul is writing that this energizing power from the Spirit is essential to the church as a
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"Energizings" is a good term to use for this. It highlights the potential of a gift from being not in use, to in use by the energizing of the Spirit and of faith. Somewhat like having the capacity to to have a light on in every house is determined by the wiring being present, and the power source being connected. In the Holy Spirit, we have both the wiring and the power source connected. Unlike electricity which power our homes, we don't have switches to turn whatever gifts we would like to have (like we have the ability to choose which light in a home to turn on), but the potential for them to be turned on at the Holy Spirit's discretion is possible. And this is possible by prayer.
Storms says, "Spiritual gifts are the the contrete tangible manifestations of divne energy in and through follwers of Jesus." Tangible? I assume he means able to be observed by some of the congregation. Not necessarily able to be touch or felt, or known by the senses.
Storms also says, "Paul is writing that this energizing power form the Spirit is essential to the church as a whole and in the lives of individual church members to enable them to reach maturity." So is someone not participating in the use of the spiritual gifts immature?
