In this study a definition for the concept of \u2018Spiritual Gifts\u2019 is formulated.<\/p>\n
According to the OLB, \u2018Spiritual Gifts\u2019<\/strong> is the translation of the Greek word \u2018charisma\u2019<\/strong>, which is derived from:<\/p>\n In order to understand the concept of \u2018charisma\/spiritual gift\u2019<\/strong> correctly it is necessary to study the previous concepts and to read the relevant studies first of all.<\/p>\n \u2018Chairo\u2019<\/strong> and \u2018charis\/grace\/kindness\u2019<\/strong> are explained in the study \u2018Grace – definition\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. \u2018Chairo\u2019:\u00a0<\/strong> directs attention to the inner disposition<\/strong> of someone who \u2018is glad\u2019, \u2018rejoices\u2019. According to the OLB \u2018charisma\u2019<\/strong> is a noun, derived from \u2018charizomai\u2019<\/strong>. With the exception of the first translation in the above list, \u2018a favour with which one receives\u2019<\/strong> is always supplemented by an explanation, in the other translations, of the concept of \u2018charisma\u2019<\/strong> from a Christian background. The Greek\/Dutch dictionary only translates it as:<\/p>\n From the study of the words from which \u2018charisma\u2019<\/strong> is derived, and the use in the Bible texts as discussed below, \u2018charisma\u2019<\/strong> seems to indicate that someone receives something.<\/p>\n Definition:<\/strong> In view of the above-mentioned definition, \u2018present out of kindness\u2019<\/strong> is a satisfactory translation that conveys the meaning of the concept of \u2018charisma\/spiritual gift\u2019<\/strong> well.<\/p>\n \u2018Charisma\u2019<\/strong> is found in 17 Bible texts, although it is only translated as \u2018spiritual gift\u2019<\/strong> in 1 text in the NIV translation of the Bible.<\/p>\n Romans 1:11<\/strong> Romans 5:15<\/strong> Romans 5:16-17<\/strong> Romans 6:23<\/strong> Romans 11:29<\/strong> Romans 12:6<\/strong> 1 Corinthians 1:4-7<\/strong> 1 Corinthians 7:7<\/strong> Remark:<\/strong> the following texts 1 Corinthians 12: 4, 9 and 28 are discussed in detail in separate studies.<\/p>\n 1 Corinthians 12:4<\/strong> 1 Corinthians 12:9<\/strong> 1 Corinthians 12:28<\/strong> 1 Corinthians 12:30<\/strong> 1 Corinthians 12:31<\/strong> 2 Corinthians 1:11-12<\/strong> 1 Timothy 4:14<\/strong> 2 Timothy 1:6<\/strong> 1 Peter 4:10<\/strong> A few remarks in order to avoid misunderstandings:<\/p>\n According to Romans 1:11 Paul desires to bring the Roman Christians some spiritual \u2018charisma\/Gifts of God\u2019s grace\/presents out of kindness\u2019. The New Testament always speaks of \u2018gifts through<\/strong><\/span> the Holy Spirit\u2019 in this respect.<\/p>\n 4 words are studied in order to understand the concept of \u2018presents out of kindness\u2019<\/strong> correctly. Example 1:<\/strong><\/span> As he goes along he regularly throws sweets out to the public. Now, however, he looks very specifically at someone in the public and throws a handful of sweets to that person. The sweets that person receives<\/strong> illustrate the concept of \u2018charisma\/present out of kindness\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Note:\u00a0<\/strong> Many people received one or more sweets when the man with the barrel threw sweets around. They received them out of his kindness, because they happened to be standing nearby. They received\u00a0 the sweets out of \u2018charis\/grace\/kindness\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Only when someone receives something that is specifically directly thrown him\/her does he\/she receive it as a \u2018charisma\/present out of kindness\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In both cases attention is paid primarily to the kindness of the person who is handing out.<\/p>\n Viewed spiritually:\u00a0<\/strong> If someone wants to experience the blessing of God in his\/her life, he\/she must live in a relationship with God and with Jesus. Those who trust in the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus have free access to the throne of God, a throne of \u2018grace\/kindness\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Let us then approach God\u2019s throne of grace\/kindness<\/strong> with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace\/kindness<\/strong> to help us in our time of need.\u00a0\u00a0 (Hebrews 14:16)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This kindness of God is for everyone who lives near to His throne. Example 2:<\/strong><\/span> Because of his character this person is known for his kindness<\/strong> in his neighbourhood. One day this persons comes across a street musician.\n
\n\u2018Charizomai\u2019<\/strong> is explained in the study \u2018Spiritual gifts – introduction\u2019<\/strong><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\nSummary of the concepts from which \u2018charisma\/spiritual gifts\u2019 is derived:<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n\u2018Charis\u2019:<\/strong>\u00a0 directs attention to the kindly demeanour<\/strong> of someone who \u2018is glad, \u2018rejoices\u2019
\n\u2018Charizomai\u2019:\u00a0<\/strong> indicates that someone<\/strong>, out of his friendly disposition, directs himself to one or more persons<\/strong>.<\/p>\nWord study of \u2018charisma\u2019.<\/span><\/h3>\n
\nIt is translated as:<\/p>\n\n
\n\u2018Charisma\/Spiritual gifts\u2019<\/strong> is a general concept, however, and is limited to spiritual life as a result.<\/p>\n\n
Definition of \u2018charisma\u2019.<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n \u2018Charisma\u2019 indicates that someone receives something as a result of someone else\u2019s kindness being shown to him, out of a kind character<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\nTranslation of \u2018charisma\u2019.<\/span><\/h3>\n
Discussion of all the texts in which \u2018charisma\u2019 appears.<\/span><\/h3>\n
\nI long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> to make you strong<\/em>
\nInterpretation:<\/strong> Paul sees the content of his preaching as a spiritual present<\/strong> to the Christians in Rome.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nBut the gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God\u2019s grace\/kindness and the gift<\/strong> (doorea: the present) that came by the grace\/kindness of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
\nNote:
\n<\/strong> This statement of Paul shows clearly that charisma\/spiritual gift<\/strong> is a \u2018present out of kindness\u2019<\/strong> and not simply<\/strong> a present. (The Greek has the word: doorea (feminine) or doorema (neuter) for present<\/strong>).
\nPaul indicates that a ‘spiritual gift’ (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> \u2026 has become abundant for very many and that this charisma\/spiritual gift<\/strong>, this present out of kindness<\/strong>, originates in the grace, the charis\/kindness<\/strong> of God.
\nSimultaneously, he couples the kindness van God to the gift (Greek: doorea = the present)<\/strong> that He has given in the person of Jesus Christ.
\nNevertheless, this present exists not so much in the person of Jesus Christ Himself, but rather in the grace, the charis\/kindness<\/strong> of Jesus and the fact that He was prepared to give His life, so that man is able to receive forgiveness of sins through faith in Him.
\nThis is clearly stated in the following verse.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nNor can the gift<\/strong> (doorema) of God be compared with the result of one man\u2019s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift (charisma\/the present out of kindness)<\/strong> followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God\u2019s abundant provision of grace (kindness) and of the gift (doorea: the present)<\/strong> of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!<\/em>
\nNote:
\n<\/strong>Paul writes here that the present<\/strong> (doorema<\/strong>, that was translated as \u201cgift\u201d in the previous verse), exists in the spiritual gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> that lead to righteousness,
\nFor: \u2026 those who receive the abundance of grace (charis\/kindness)<\/strong> and the present (doorea)<\/strong> of righteousness will live through Jesus Christ.
\nRighteousness<\/strong> is therefore regarded here as a present (doorea)<\/strong> from Jesus, out of kindness (charis\/grace)<\/strong>, thus as a \u2018spiritual gift\u2019 (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nFor the wages of sin is death, but the gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
\nNote:\u00a0<\/strong> here the \u2018gift\/charisma\/present out of kindness\u2019<\/strong> is eternal life<\/strong> in Jesus Christ, that God bestows out of His kindness.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n\u2026 for God\u2019s gifts (charisma\/presents out of kindness)<\/strong> and his call are irrevocable.
\nLiterally:<\/strong> For the gifts (charisma\/presents out of kindness)<\/strong> and the calling of God are irrevocable.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nWe have different gifts (charisma\/presents out of kindness)<\/strong>, according to the grace given to each of us.
\n(This text is discussed in detail in a separate study. See below.)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nI always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way – with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge –\u00a0 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nI wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> from God; one has this gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong>, another has that.
\nIt says literally:<\/strong> But everyone had his personal charisma\/present<\/strong> from God out of<\/strong> His kindness<\/strong>.
\nInterpretation:\u00a0<\/strong> Paul regards the fact that he has never been married as a kind present<\/strong> from God, probably because a marriage with children would have been a hindrance for him in his ministry.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nThere are different kinds of gifts (charisma\/presents out of kindness)<\/strong>, \u2026<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n\u2026 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts (charisma\/presents out of kindness)<\/strong> of healing by that one Spirit.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nAnd God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts (charisma\/presents out of kindness)<\/strong> of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nDo all have gifts (chrisma\/presents out of kindness)<\/strong> of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nNow eagerly desire the greater gifts (charisma\/presents out of kindness)<\/strong>. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
\nRemark:\u00a0<\/strong> by \u2018the most excellent way\u2019 Paul means here the love (agape) that he describes in chapter 13 of his letter to the Corinthians.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n\u2026 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> granted us in answer to the prayers of many. Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God\u2019s grace\/kindness.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nDo not neglect your gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong>, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nFor this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nEach of you should use whatever gift (charisma\/present out of kindness)<\/strong> you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God\u2019s grace in its various forms.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\nA few remarks:<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\nIn Romans 12:6 he indicates that we<\/strong> too (the people)<\/strong> have \u2018charisma\/presents out of kindness\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
Summary:<\/span><\/h3>\n
\nThese 4 concepts are illustrated in two examples below.<\/p>\n
\nIn a publicity procession that precedes a festive event in a city, an open lorry rides along with an enormous barrel of sweets.
\nNext to this barrel stands a man smiling broadly to the crowd along the way.
\nThis friendly, smiling man<\/strong> illustrates the concept of \u2018chairo\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nThis throwing out sweets<\/strong> illustrates the concept of \u2018charis\/grace\/kindness\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nDirectly throwing<\/strong> the sweets, specifically to that person<\/strong> illustrates the concept of \u2018charizomai\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nIn this respect, God sometimes turns His attention very specifically to someone, who, as a result, receives a \u2018charisma\/present out of kindness\u2019<\/strong> very personally from Him.<\/p>\n
\nSomeone has a glad, kind character<\/strong>.
\nThis \u2018glad, kind character\u2019 represents \u2018chairo\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nThis \u2018kindness\u2019 represents \u2018charis\/grace\u2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nOut of the kindness of his heart he gives him a coin.
\nThe fact that this person pays attention<\/strong> to the street musician