Our Heavenly Father has given to each of us good and perfect spiritual gifts.
God is the Giving God (dotes). Out of His bountiful grace (charis), He gives (didomi) every good “act of giving” (dosis). He graciously bestows His gifts (dorea) – His perfect gifts (dorema) are from above (Ephesians 1:7; James 1:5,17).
Our Triune God gives to you good and perfect spiritual gifts. When the words in English for “gift/give” are studied using the Strong’s Concordance, we see richer meanings.
1.Dotes: God is the Giver of all gifts. 2.Didomi: The primary verb meaning “to give, grant, or offer.” 3. Dosis: The (good) act of giving. 4. Dorema: The (perfect) gift (dorema) which is a permanent, concrete gift or asset e.g. God’s wisdom; regeneration; crown of life; justification from God. 5. Dorea: The nature of the gift: bountiful, unearned and free – from God to man, e.g. His Son, The Holy Spirit, The Living water, Salvation, Righteousness, The Heavenly gift. 6. Doma: A practical provision that is functional, tangible, relational. Christ gives to the Church foundational and operational gifts:(a) Foundational gifts of Apostles, NT Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 3:5; 4:11). (b) Operational gifts of evangelists, pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, missionaries (apostles in a generic sense “sent out ones”), ministry leaders, small group leaders and many others. 7. Doron: Religious, sacrificial, or ceremonial gift or offering – from man to God or king. The exception is God’s costly gift/tribute (doron) of salvation to His redeemed (Rom 12:1; Eph 2:8).
Our response to our gracious giving God is to offer gifts (doron) of gratitude by way of financial offerings and material tributes to God.
As a body of believers, we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice (latreia). This act of service for God is serving God at home and in the world as salt of the earth and light of the world (Romans 12:1).
Elder Yoong Yuen Soo
