Lexical Summary charisma: Gift, grace-gift, spiritual gift Original Word: χάρισμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance free gift. From charizomai; a (divine) gratuity, i.e. Deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty -- (free) gift. see GREEK charizomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 5486 xárisma (from "grace," 5485 /xáris) – properly, the operation of grace (divine favor), i.e. a grace-endowment to edify the Church (note the -ma suffix, focusing on the end-result of the endowment of grace). 5486 /xárisma ("grace-gift") divinely empowers a believer to share God's work with others, i.e. Spirit-empowered service to the Church to carry out His plan for His people. [5486 /xárisma (but not limited to) "spiritual gifts." xarismata (the plural form) literally means "grace-endowments."] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom charizomai Definition a gift of grace, a free gift NASB Translation favor (1), free gift (3), gift (5), gifts (7), spiritual gift (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5486: χάρισμαχάρισμα, χαρίσματος, τό (χαρίζομαι), a gift of grace; a favor which one receives without any merit of his own; in the N. T. (where (except 1 Peter 4:10) used only by Paul) the gift of divine grace (so also in Philo de alleg. legg. iii. § 24 at the end δωρεά καί εὐεργεσία καί χάρισμα Θεοῦ τά πάντα ὅσα ἐν κόσμῳ καί αὐτός ὁ κόσμος ἐστιν); used of the natural gift of continence, due to the grace of God as creator, 1 Corinthians 7:7; deliverance from great peril to life, τό εἰς ἡμᾶς χάρισμα bestowed upon us, 2 Corinthians 1:11; the gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue, Romans 1:11; the economy of divine grace, by which the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is appointed to sinners in consideration of the merits of Christ laid hold of by faith, Romans 5:15; Romans 6:23; plural of the several blessings of the Christian salvation, Romans 11:29; in the technical Pauline sense χαρίσματα (A. V. gifts) denote "extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit" (cf. Cremer in Herzog edition 2 vol. v. 10ff, under the word Geistesgaben): Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 31; 1 Peter 4:10; χαρίσματα ἰαμάτων, 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30; specifically, the sum of those powers requisite for the discharge of the office of an evangelist: 1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6. ((Of temporal blessings, 'Teaching 1, 5 [ET] (cf. δώρημα in Hermas, mand. 2, 4 [ET])); ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Essence of the GiftStrong’s 5486 speaks of a “gracious endowment” freely conferred by God. It never focuses on human merit or attainment but on divine generosity. Whether referring to eternal life itself (Romans 6:23) or to a Spirit-given enablement for service (1 Corinthians 12:4), the term always preserves the thought of something granted without obligation, received in faith, and intended to display the goodness of the Giver. Salvation as the Foundational Gift Paul’s earliest references anchor the word in the gospel. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Earlier, Romans 5:15-16 contrasts Adam’s trespass with “the gift” that “resulted in justification.” These occurrences establish a theological baseline: every subsequent charisma functions downstream from the saving gift of God in Christ. Without the redemptive charisma, there can be no spiritual charismata. Spiritual Gifts Within the Body of Christ From Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12-14 arises the familiar idea of “spiritual gifts.” They are diverse in expression yet unified in source: • Motivation gifts (Romans 12:6-8). “There are different gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4). Variety protects the church from uniformity; unity guards it from division. The body illustration underscores both truths: “the body is one and yet has many parts” (1 Corinthians 12:12). Each charisma is indispensable to corporate health, regardless of perceived prominence. Distribution and Stewardship 1 Peter 4:10 places stewardship at the center: “As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.” Gifts are neither trophies nor private possessions; they are trust-funds for ministry. Neglect (1 Timothy 4:14) or timidity (2 Timothy 1:6) imperils not only the individual believer but also the edification of the whole assembly. Pastoral Care of Gifts Paul’s instruction to Timothy—“fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6)—highlights the role of pastoral oversight, affirmation through prophetic recognition (1 Timothy 4:14), and courageous exercise. Romans 1:11 shows apostolic concern that believers be “strengthened” through the impartation of a charisma. The shepherd’s task therefore includes identifying, affirming, and mobilizing gifts within the flock. Prayer and Providential Gifts 2 Corinthians 1:11 stretches the word beyond personal abilities: Paul calls his deliverance a charisma secured “as you help us by your prayers.” Here intercession becomes a conduit through which God grants tangible favor to His servants. The church’s prayer life, then, participates in the dispensing of God’s gifts. Irrevocability and Assurance Romans 11:29 asserts, “God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” The context addresses Israel, yet the principle reassures all recipients of divine gifts. God does not repossess what He has bestowed; His unwavering faithfulness undergirds the believer’s confidence and motivates steadfast service. Charismata in Early Church History Early Christian writings (e.g., Didache, Shepherd of Hermas) assume the continuation of Spirit-empowered ministries. By the second century, movements such as Montanism raised questions about regulation and authenticity, prompting church leaders to test phenomena by apostolic doctrine. Throughout the centuries, seasons of renewal and dormancy alternated, yet the concept of God equipping His people for mission never disappeared. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Discovery: Engage Scripture, prayer, and community affirmation to recognize one’s gift. Summary Strong’s 5486 gathers into one term both the saving deed of God and the empowering deeds of the Spirit. The New Testament portrays gifts as varied, purposeful, stewarded, and permanent in divine intention. Properly understood, charismata call every believer to grateful reception, faithful stewardship, and humble service in the body of Christ until the “revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:7). Forms and Transliterations χαρισμα χάρισμα χαρισματα χαρίσματα χαρισματι χαρίσματι χαρισματος χαρίσματος χαρισματων χαρισμάτων charisma chárisma charismata charísmata charismati charísmati charismaton charismatōn charismáton charismátōn charismatos charísmatosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 1:11 N-ANSGRK: τι μεταδῶ χάρισμα ὑμῖν πνευματικὸν NAS: spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; KJV: some spiritual gift, to the end ye INT: some I might impart gift to you spiritual Romans 5:15 N-NNS Romans 5:16 N-NNS Romans 6:23 N-NNS Romans 11:29 N-NNP Romans 12:6 N-ANP 1 Corinthians 1:7 N-DNS 1 Corinthians 7:7 N-ANS 1 Corinthians 12:4 N-GNP 1 Corinthians 12:9 N-NNP 1 Corinthians 12:28 N-ANP 1 Corinthians 12:30 N-NNP 1 Corinthians 12:31 N-ANP 2 Corinthians 1:11 N-NNS 1 Timothy 4:14 N-GNS 2 Timothy 1:6 N-ANS 1 Peter 4:10 N-ANS Strong's Greek 5486 |
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