Daily Bread

1 Corinthians 12:4 "Now there are divisions of Charismata but the same Spirit."

The best way to translate 'charismata' is "gifts of grace." The word charismata is derived from the Greek root 'charis' which means 'grace.' Grace means far more than just favor; grace is revealed to be the divine empowerment that supplies the saints with the ability to do and be everything that God has purposed for our lives. Grace may be extended to mean any divine act of God which results in either His protection or help but more than anything else His empowerment of an individual. Charismata (gifts) is found 17 times in the New Testament. It first appears in Romans 1:11, "that I may give you a share of spiritual 'charisma' (gift) to establish you." Although this word is used to refer to the gift of salvation in Romans 5:15, 16 and 6:23 it is also used of the spiritual gifts of prophecy, faith, and ministry in Romans 12:6-7. Paul opens up his letter to the Corinthians with this word recognizing that those at Corinth had the testimony of Christ confirmed in them which resulted in them having all of the 'charismata' (1:7). Charismata is used five times in the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians all with respect to the gifts that are manifested as signs and wonders in the church (1 Corinthians 12: 4, 9, 28, 30, 31).

Blessings

Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
www.abidingplace.org