Gift, Giving - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Gift, Giving
[ 1,,G1435, doron ]akin to didomi, to give," is used
(a) of "gifts" presented as an expression of honor, Matthew 2:11;
(b) of "gifts" for the support of the temple and the needs of the poor, Matthew 15:5; Mark 7:11; Luke 21:1, Luke 21:4;
(c) of "gifts" offered to God, Matthew 5:23-Matthew 5:24; Matthew 8:4; Matthew 23:18-Matthew 23:19; Hebrews 5:1; Hebrews 8:3-Hebrews 8:4; Hebrews 9:9; Hebrews 11:4;
(d) of salvation by grace as the "gift" of God, Ephesians 2:8;
(e) of "presents" for mutual celebration of an occasion, Revelation 11:10. See OFFERING.
[ 2,,G1431, dorea ]
denotes "a free gift," stressing its gratuitous character; it is always used in the NT of a spiritual or supernatural gift, John 4:10; Acts 8:20; Acts 11:17; Romans 5:15; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Ephesians 3:7; Hebrews 6:4; in Ephesians 4:7, "according to the measure of the gift of Christ," the "gift" is that given by Christ; in Acts 2:28, "the gift of the Holy Ghost," the clause is epexegetical, the "gift" being the Holy Ghost Himself; cp. Acts 10:45; Acts 11:17, and the phrase, "the gift of righteouness," Romans 5:17.
Note: For dorean, a form of this noun, used adverbially, See FREELY.
[ 3,,G1434, dorema ]
See BOON.
[ 4,,G1390, doma ]
lends greater stress to the concrete character of the "gift," than to its beneficent nature, Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 4:8; Philippians 4:17.
[ 5,,G1394, dosis ]
denotes, properly, "the act of giving," Philippians 4:15, euphemistically referring to "gifts" as a matter of debt and credit accounts; then, objectively, "a gift," James 1:17 (1st mention; See BOON).
[ 6,,G5486, charisma ]
"a gift of grace, a gift involving grace" (charis) on the part of God as the donor, is used
(a) of His free bestowments upon sinners, Romans 5:15-Romans 5:16; Romans 6:23; Romans 11:29;
(b) of His endowments upon believers by the operation of the Holy Spirit in the churches, Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 12:30-31; 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10;
(c) of that which is imparted through human instruction, Romans 1:11;
(d) of the natural "gift" of continence, consequent upon the grace of God as Creator, 1 Corinthians 7:7;
(e) of gracious deliverances granted in answer to the prayers of fellow believers, 2 Corinthians 1:11.
Note: In the AV of 2 Corinthians 8:4 charis, "grace," is translated "gift." The RV, "in regard of this grace," adheres to the true meaning, as in 2 Corinthians 8:6.
[ 7,,G3311, merismos ]
"a dividing" (from meros, "a part"), is translated "gifts" in Hebrews 2:4, "gifts of the Holy Ghost" (marg., "distributions"); in Hebrews 4:12, "dividing." See DIVIDING.
Note: In the AV of Luke 21:5 anathema, "a votive offering," is translated "gifts" (RV, "offerings.")