Tag: gifts

Romans 12:6 – Benevolent or Malignant

Posted on by Will

But having different gifts according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

Truth to Learn

Each Christian is gifted for the benefit of the body of Christ.

 

Behind the Words

Paul begins the verse with a coordinating conjunction de, which can be translated as “and” or as “but” or several other English words. In each case, however, the purpose is to show the direct connection between the previous phrase and the following one.

The word translated as “gifts” is the Greek word charismata, which refers to “that which has been bestowed gratuitously.” In other words, it wasn’t earned and isn’t deserved; it was simply imparted out of benevolence.

“Prophecy” is translated from the Greek word prophēteia, which is the noun form of prophēteuō. According to The Word Study Dictionary, this word means “to foretell things to come; to declare truths through the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit whether by prediction or otherwise.” In other words, it includes both the “foretelling” of events before they happen and the “forth-telling” of the truths of God’s Word. The primary gift of the prophet in the early church involved both of these.

This list of spiritual gifts is clearly punctuated as a coordinated list as can be seen by the Greek grammatical construction. Each of the gifts in this and the two following verses is preceded with the Greek word eite, which is another kind of coordinating conjunction. It is as if these had been listed as “bullet points” with each occurrence of eite being a bullet. There is no apparent order of importance or hierarchy in this list, it is simply a list.

 

Meaning Explained

Now that Paul has explained to us that the church is like a body made up of many differing parts, he begins to describe some of the functions that these various parts perform and the special enabling that we have to perform these functions. We, the members of the body of Christ, have gifts. These gifts were given to us according to, or with respect to, or as part of, the grace that was given to us. Paul is telling us that these gifts were given to us at the point in time that the grace of God was bestowed upon us, when we were given the righteousness of Christ. In other words, these gifts were given to us when we were saved. They are not part of a “second blessing” nor are they gifts that we earn as we become mature Christians. They were given to us once, for all time, just as our salvation was given to us once, for all time and eternity.

Remember, as you read through this list of gifts, they were given to us as members of a body and they are to be used to make the body healthy. They are not given for personal profit (not even to the prophet J), but for the good of the body.

 

Application

Do you know what spiritual gift(s) God has blessed you with? Are you using it (them) for the good of the body?

Keep in mind that there is a kind of cell within the human body that has no regard for the cells around it. Its only purpose is to feed itself so it can grow. It’s called cancer!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 11:29 – Irrevocable Gifts

Posted on by Will

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Truth to Learn

God’s choosing is final and unchangeable.

 

Behind the Words

“Gifts” is from charisma, which means “a gift of grace” or “an undeserved benefit.” In the New Testament it is used only of such a gift or undeserved benefit received from God.

The word translated “irrevocable” is the Greek word ametamelētos, which is made up of a, meaning “without,” meta, indicating “a change of place or condition,” and a form of melō, meaning “to be concerned.” When we put this all together we see that ametamelētos means “without changing one’s position of concern,” or “without changing one’s mind regarding an action taken.”

 

Meaning Explained

This verse serves as an addendum to the previous verse where Paul said, “With regard to the gospel they are enemies, but with regard to the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.” We mentioned the word “election” in the previous verse as coming from the Greek eklogen, which means “the act of choosing.” Paul has used various forms of this word several times in this letter to the Jewish Christians in Rome. In each case he is referring to “election unto salvation” whereby God chose who would receive His free gift of grace.

Paul is now expanding on the concept of the “election.” He says, “For the gifts …” that is, those gifts of grace whereby sinners are chosen to believe the gospel and to be forgiven of their sins. Paul then couples those free gifts with God’s calling, just as he did back in Romans 8:28, 29 where he said:

And we know that to the ones loving God all things work together for good, to those who are the called ones according to His purpose. Because whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.

He now tells us something about this election and its associated calling. They are irrevocable. God does not regret having chosen anyone, and He will not change His mind regarding His selection and calling. So you see Paul is actually saying that this free gift of Grace and the associated irresistible calling of sinners to Himself are done by God without regret and without changing His mind. In other words, once God chooses a sinner to be saved He does not change His mind and revoke that calling unto salvation.

Think about this. Since your salvation is God’s choice and wholly dependent on His actions apart from any action on your part, and since God does not change His mind regarding this choosing, if you are genuinely saved then you cannot become unsaved. It simply can’t happen! You can do nothing to change God’s mind, nothing!

 

Application

Now, instead of focusing so much of your time and effort on trying not to lose your salvation, you can focus all that time and effort on submitting to God and serving Him. You don’t have to worry about losing your salvation. It can’t happen! Let’s take a moment to thank God and give Him praise.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2018 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Romans 12:6 – Benevolent or Malignant

Posted on by Will

Romans 12:6 – Benevolent or Malignant

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

Truth to Learn

Each Christian is gifted for the benefit of the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

Paul begins the verse with a coordinating conjunction de, which can be translated as “and” or as “but” or several other English words. In each case, however, the purpose is to show the direct connection between the previous phrase and the following one.

The word translated as “gifts” is the Greek word charismata, which refers to “that which has been bestowed gratuitously.” In other words, it wasn’t earned and isn’t deserved; it was simply imparted out of benevolence.

“Prophecy” is translated from the Greek word prophēteia, which is the noun form of prophēteuō. According to The Word Study Dictionary, this word means “to foretell things to come; to declare truths through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit whether by prediction or otherwise.” In other words, it includes both the “foretelling” of events before they happen and the “forth-telling” of the truths of God’s Word. The primary gift of the prophet in the early church involved both of these.

This list of spiritual gifts is clearly punctuated as a coordinated list as can be seen by the Greek grammatical construction. Each of the gifts in this and the two following verses is preceded with the Greek word eite, which is another kind of coordinating conjunction. It is as if these had been listed as “bullet points” with each occurrence of eite being a bullet. There is no apparent order of importance or hierarchy in this list, it is simply a list.

Meaning Explained

Now that Paul has explained to us that the church is like a body made up of many differing parts, he begins to describe some of the functions that these various parts perform and the special enabling that we have to perform these functions. We, the members of the body of Christ, have gifts. These gifts were given to us according to, or with respect to, or as part of, the grace that was given to us. Paul is telling us that these gifts were given to us at the point in time that the grace of God was bestowed upon us, when we were given the righteousness of Christ. In other words, these gifts were given to us when we were saved. They are not part of a “second blessing” nor are they gifts that we earn as we become mature Christians. They were given to us once, for all time, just as our salvation was given to us once, for all time and eternity.

Remember, as you read through this list of gifts, they were given to us as members of a body and they are to be used to make the body healthy. They are not given for personal profit (not even to the phophet J), but for the good of the body.

Application

Do you know what spiritual gift(s) God has blessed you with? Are you using it (them) for the good of the body?

Keep in mind that there is a kind of cell within the human body that has no regard for the cells around it. Its only purpose is to feed itself so it can grow. It’s called cancer!

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2011 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to:

Romans 11:29 – Irrevocable Gifts

Posted on by Will

Romans 11:29 – Irrevocable Gifts

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Truth to Learn

God’s choosing is final and unchangeable.

Behind the Words

“Gifts” is from charisma, which means “a gift of grace” or “an undeserved benefit.” In the New Testament it is used only of such a gift or undeserved benefit received from God.

The word translated “irrevocable” is the Greek word ametamelētos, which is made up of a, meaning “without,” meta, indicating “a change of place or condition,” and a form of melō, meaning “to be concerned.” When we put this all together we see that ametamelētos means “without changing one’s position of concern,” or “without changing one’s mind regarding an action taken.”

Meaning Explained

This verse serves as an addendum to the previous verse where Paul said, “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.” We mentioned the word “election” in the previous verse as coming from the Greek eklogen, which means “the act of choosing.” Paul has used various forms of this word several times in this letter to the Jewish Christians in Rome. In each case he is referring to “election unto salvation” whereby God chose who would receive His free gift of grace.

Paul is now expanding on the concept of the “election.” He says, “For the gifts …” that is, those gifts of grace whereby sinners are chosen to believe the gospel and to be forgiven of their sins. Paul then couples those free gifts with God’s calling, just as he did back in Romans 8:28, 29 where he said:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

He now tells us something about this election and its associated calling. They are irrevocable. God does not regret having chosen anyone, and He will not change His mind regarding His selection and calling. So you see Paul is actually saying that this free gift of Grace and the associated irresistible calling of sinners to Himself are done by God without regret and without changing His mind. In other words, once God chooses a sinner to be saved He does not change His mind and revoke that calling unto salvation.

Think about this. Since your salvation is God’s choice and wholly dependent on His actions apart from any action on your part, and since God does not change His mind regarding this choosing, if you are genuinely saved then you cannot become unsaved. It simply can’t happen! You can do nothing to change God’s mind, nothing!

Application

Now, instead of focusing so much of your time and effort on trying not to lose your salvation, you can focus all that time and effort on submitting to God and serving Him. You don’t have to worry about losing your salvation. It can’t happen! Let’s take a moment to thank God and give Him praise.

In God’s service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2010 Will Krause. All rights reserved.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, send an e-mail to: