Note 9 at 1 Cor. 12:5: The Greek word translated "administrations" is "diakonia" meaning "attendance; aid; service." It comes from the root word "diakonos," which was translated "deacon" three times (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 12), "minister" 13 times (Mt. 20:26; Mk. 10:43; Rom. 13:4; 15:8; Gal. 2:17; Eph. 3:7; 6:21; Col. 1:7, 23, 25; 4:7; 1 Th. 3:2; 1 Tim. 4:6)," ministers" five times (1 Cor. 3:5; 1 Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:15, 23)," servant" four times (Mt. 23:11; Mk. 9:35; Jn. 12:26; Rom. 16:1), and "servants" three times (Mt. 22:13; Jn. 2:5, 9).

From these different ways that these Greek words were translated, we can see that Paul is speaking of different ways of ministering or using these gifts. In other words, two people could have the same gift and yet minister or use it differently. There is plenty of room for different ways of ministering the same gift but it is the same Lord controlling them all and therefore, they must conform to these guidelines that Paul is giving.