What are Differences of Administrations and Diversities of Operations?

 This week in church we have been studying Moroni 10 in the Book of Mormon. Moroni lists gifts of the Spirit and urges his readers not to deny the gifts of God. Reading this list led me to study 1 Corinthians 12 and Doctrine and Covenants 46, which also list gifts of the Spirit. As a result, for probably the hundredth time I wondered, "What the heck are 'differences of administrations' and diversities of operations?' " I decided to do a bit of studying, and below I will share some of the insights and ideas I found.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, in English-speaking wards we use the King James Version of the Bible (KJV). But I've found that many times the KJV doesn't make sense, could have been translated better, or uses words that mean something different now than they did when the KJV was made. So in the last couple of years I've started using other translations alongside the KJV. Usually I use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), but I also find the New International Version (NIV) to be useful. Biblehub.com is a good resource for comparing Bible verses in different translations and seeing the original Greek.

I made a table to compare the verses about gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12 using three translations of the Bible, and I also compare them to similar verses in Moroni 10 and D&C 46. Similar phrases are highlighted in the same color.

1 Cor 12 (KJV)	1 Cor 12 (NRSV)	1 Cor 12 (NIV)	Moroni 10	D&C 46
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.   5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.   6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.   7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.	4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;   5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord;   6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.   7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.	4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.   5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.   6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.   7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.	8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.	11 For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.   12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.   15 And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men.   16 And again, it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, that the manifestations of the Spirit may be given to every man to profit withal.

Note that all of these verses tell that: 1) There are different kinds of gifts, but they all come from the same Holy Ghost, the same Lord, and 2) These manifestations and gifts of the Spirit are given for the common good, to be used to profit all men.

Differences of Administration

The other translations in the table call this “varieties of service” or “different kinds of service.” The word "administration" is translated from the Greek word διακονιῶν (diakoniōn). This word is used several other times in the Bible, and usually it means ministry or ministration. So I think what is meant here is that there are different ways to serve or minister, or that different people are called to minister in different ways. And when the Doctrine and Covenants says, “to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration,” it could mean that there are people who have a gift to be able to recognize the different ways to serve or minister, or recognize the ways that God desires different people to minister. This seems like a very useful gift for someone who calls people to serve in the church, like the Bishop and the ward council, stake presidents, and apostles and prophets.

Diversities of Operations

Other translations in the table are, “varieties of activities,” or “different kinds of working.” "Operations" is translated from the Greek word ἐνεργημάτων (energēmatōn). The Greek word ἐνεργῶν (energōn) is used at the end of the verse as well: “The same God energōn (works) in everyone/all in all.” The Greek word energéma can be used to mean, “a working, an effect, an operation.” It is a cognate with the word energy. It has a connotation of the energy of God working through our faith. Verse 10 in the same chapter also uses energéma in reference to the working of miracles. So it sounds to me like diversities of operations (energēmatōn) means that there different ways that God can work, or different ways that we can do work (enabled or empowered by God). And when the Doctrine and Covenants refers to people who have a gift “to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God,” it means that there are people who are able to see works and know whether they come from God.

*Disclaimer: I do not know any Greek at all. I used Bible Hub to find out what these words were in the original Greek, what they mean, and how they're commonly translated. I've added links in both of the above sections so you can see where I got this information and learn more about it.