Bible Dictionaries
Gift, Giving

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

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 21:1,4; (c) of "gifts" offered to God, Matthew 5:23,24; 8:4; 23:18,19; Hebrews 5:1; 8:3,4; 9:9; 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.

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; 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; 11:17 , and the phrase, "the gift of righteouness," Romans 5:17 .

Note: For dorean, a form of this noun, used adverbially, see FREELY.

see BOON.

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 .

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).

"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 5:15,16; 6:23; 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; 12:4,9,28,30,31; 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 .

"a dividing" (from meros, "a part"), is translated "gifts" in Hebrews 2:4 , "gifts of the Holy Ghost" (marg., "distributions"); in 4:12, "dividing." See DIVIDING.

Note: In the AV of Luke 21:5 anathema, "a votive offering," is translated "gifts" (RV, "offerings.")