The fundamental feature of the gifts is that they are given for the common good. It does not matter which gift or gifts you have, God has given it to you in order to help others.
Paul then mentions nine different gifts. This list should not be viewed as exclusive, ie the only nine gifts that there are. In other places in the Bible other gifts are mentioned. The first two to be mentioned are wisdom and knowledge. We see both of these in operation in the life of Jesus. He demonstrated tremendous wisdom in dealing with the attacks of the religious leaders, and showed insight into the lives of people, such as the women at the well (John 4). In Acts there were points when people predicted famines. The Spirit enables us to see through situations, to see a solution or a response where none seems possible. There are also times when He will give us knowledge that we could not otherwise have had. We have the knowledge because God has revealed it to us.
Faith, healing, and miracles are then mentioned. Now all have faith, otherwise we are not saved, but the faith here is not "saving faith". Rather it is special faith in a particular situation that God will do a certain thing. For instance at the Red Sea everyone else thought they were doomed, but Moses had faith in God. At the same time God gave him the power to do signs and wonders.
Discernment of spirits, prophecy, tongues and interpretation are then mentioned. Discernment is the ability to distinguish between good and bad, between the Holy Spirit and other spirits. Sometimes the difference in blindingly obvious, as in the examples Paul gives at the start of the chapter, but at others satan appears as an angel of light, and deeper wisdom is required. Prophecy, tongues and interpretation will be dealt with in much more detail later on.
Whatever the gift, it is given by the Holy Spirit, and is given according to His choosing. There is no room for human pride.
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