Helps

Summary:

It is written in the Bible that "HELPS" (1 Corinthians 12:28) are listed among the spiritual gifts.

The Greek word for "HELPS [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek]" in 1 Corinthians 12:28 is a plural noun describing actions (instead of describing people). 

"HELPS [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek]" in 1 Corinthians 12:28 can refer for example to the diverse acts of assistance, support, protection, and care for other people.

You can find more details below:

Helps:

It is written in the Bible that "HELPS" (1 Corinthians 12:28) are listed among the spiritual gifts.

This is a spiritual gift among the list of other spiritual gifts available.

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List of spiritual gifts:
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Paul wrote: "God placed some in the church (as) first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then powers [miracles]; then gifts (of) healings, HELPS [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek], steerings, kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28).

The Greek word for "HELPS" [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek, noun] in 1 Corinthians 12:28 comes from the Greek word for "TO-HELP" [apollumi 482 in Greek, verb]. 

Describing actions, not people:

The Greek word for "HELPS [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek]" in 1 Corinthians 12:28 is a plural noun describing actions (instead of describing people). 

In Greek, nouns ending in -σεις (-seis) are almost always abstract nouns of actions. 

​Actions Word: Antilēmp-seis = The acts of helping / helps.

​Persons Word: Antilēmp-tai = The ones who helps / the helpers.

​If Paul wanted to say "helpers" (the people), he likely would have used the masculine plural antilēmptai. By using the feminine plural antilēmpseis, he is pointing to the actions of "helps".

Examples of helps:

"HELPS [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek]" in 1 Corinthians 12:28 can refer for example to the diverse acts of assistance, support, protection, and care for other people.

Here are examples:

Psalms 22:

In Psalms 22 it is written: "You shall not withdraw from me; for AFFLICTION (is) near; for there is not the one helping" (Psalms 22:11 (LXX)), "But You, O LORD, You shall not go far from my aid; ATTEND TO MY HELP [antilémpsis 484 in Greek]" (Psalms 22:19 (LXX)).

Like the LORD does here, those with the gift of "HELPS" (1 Corinthians 12:28) can ATTEND TO THE HELP of those who are in AFFLICTION.  

Psalms 89:

In Psalms 89 it is written: "Ephraim (is) the HELP [antilémpsis 484 in Greek] OF MY HEAD; Judas (is) My king" (Psalms 108:8 (LXX)). 

In this context, Ephraim (the largest northern tribe) functions as the helmet or the fortress protecting the "HEAD" (the leadership/sovereignty of God or His King, Judah). Geographically, Ephraim sat in the central hill country, acting as a natural buffer/fortress against northern invaders. 

Like Ephraim, those with the gift of "HELPS" (1 Corinthians 12:28) can protect the "HEAD" (the leadership) and the body from vulnerability.

Paul mentioned in Romans 12 the spiritual gift of "leading" (Romans 12:8).

For more information:

Leading:
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New Testament: Acts 20:

The Greek word for "HELPS" [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek, noun] in 1 Corinthians 12:28 comes from the Greek word for "TO-HELP" [apollumi 482 in Greek, verb]. 

Paul said in the New Testament in Acts 20: "I-coveted (the) SILVER OR GOLD OR CLOTHING (of) no-one. You know that THESE HANDS SERVED my (own) NEEDS, and THE (PEOPLE) BEING WITH ME. (In) all (respects), I-showed you that laboring in-this-manner, it-is-necessary TO-HELP [apollumi 482 in Greek] THE (ONES) BEING-WEAK" (Acts 20:33-35). 

Here Paul served the needs of the people being with him with his own hands when it came to "SILVER OR GOLD OR CLOTHING" (Acts 20:33) so that by laboring he was able "TO-HELP [apollumi 482 in Greek] THE (ONES) BEING-WEAK" (Acts 20:35). 

Like Paul, those with the gift of "HELPS" (1 Corinthians 12:28) can labor with their own hands to serve the needs of other people who are being weak for example in terms of being helped with having "SILVER OR GOLD OR CLOTHING" (Acts 20:33). 

Ancient Jewish writing: 

The Greek word for "HELPS" [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek] in 1 Corinthians 12:28 is used in an ancient Jewish writing. For example:

It is written in Sirach: "Again, there is another THAT IS SLOW, and HAS NEED OF HELP [antilémpsis 484 in Greek], LACKING ABILITY, and FULL OF POVERTY; yet the eye of the Lord looked upon him for good, and SET HIM OUT FROM HIS LOW ESTATE" (Sirach 11:12 (LXX)). 

Here to "HELP [antilémpsis 484 in Greek]" someone may be interchangeable with to "SET HIM UP FROM HIS LOW ESTATE" (Sirach 11:12 (LXX)). The person who is receiving that help has needs for it, as they are described as someone "THAT IS SLOW, and HAS NEED OF HELP [antilémpsis 484 in Greek], LACKING ABILITY, and FULL OF POVERTY" (Sirach 11:12 (LXX)). 

Helps and steerings:

Paul mentioned the spiritual gifts of "HELPS" and "STEERINGS" next to each other, as he wrote: " Paul wrote: "God placed some in the church (as) first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then powers [miracles]; then gifts (of) healings, HELPS [antilēmpseis 484 in Greek], STEERINGS [kübernēseis 2941 in Greek], kinds (of) tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28).

In ancient maritime metaphors, the "helmsman" [kybernētēs 2942 in Greek] was doing the acts of STEERINGS for the ship, and the helpers [hyperetas in Greek] who were doing the acts of HELPS were the crew who handled the rigging. 

For example it is written in Plutarch, Moralia (Precepts of Statecraft) 807b: "For the helmsman [kybernētēs 2942 in Greek] has his helpers [hyperetas in Greek] and sailors who do the heavy lifting, but he alone holds the mind of the ship."

For more information on "STEERINGS":

Steerings:
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