מַתָּנָה / χάρισμα
mattanah / charisma
"gift, present, spiritual gift"
Strong's H4979, G5486 • 17 occurrences
Linguistic Analysis
Part of Speech
Noun
Root
נָתַן (nathan - to give) / χάρις (charis - grace)
Etymology
Hebrew: From nathan (to give). Greek: From charis (grace). Gifts flow from grace - they are expressions of unearned favor.
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
GOD is the ultimate Giver (James 1:17). Every good gift descends from the Father of lights. The supreme gift is JESUS CHRIST Himself (John 3:16, 2 Cor 9:15). From this central gift flow all others: the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), eternal life (Rom 6:23), spiritual gifts for edification (1 Cor 12:4-11), and material blessings (Eccl 3:13, 5:19). Gifts are never earned - they are manifestations of grace. The Hebrew concept emphasizes the relationship between giver and receiver, while the Greek concept (charisma) emphasizes the grace-origin of all gifts. Spiritual gifts (charismata) are supernatural enablings for ministry, given by the Spirit for the common good (1 Cor 12:7). The greatest gift context is love (1 Cor 13).
✝️ Christological Connection
JESUS is GOD's inexpressible gift (2 Cor 9:15). "For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (John 3:16). CHRIST is both the ultimate Gift and the ultimate Giver. He received gifts from the Father (authority, glory, people - John 17:2, 6) and gives gifts to humanity (Eph 4:8 - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers). The logic of grace: "He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" (Rom 8:32). JESUS as the Bread of Life is the Father's gift (John 6:32). The Holy Spirit is JESUS' gift to the Church (John 14:16, Acts 1:4). Every spiritual gift ultimately comes from CHRIST and points to CHRIST.
Key Verses
John 3:16
"For GOD so loved the world, that He gave (ἔδωκεν) His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
The supreme gift: GOD giving His Son. This is the foundation of all giving.
James 1:17
"Every good gift (δόσις) and every perfect gift (δώρημα) is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
All gifts originate with GOD. He is the unchanging Giver. Nothing good comes from any other source.
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
"Now there are varieties of gifts (χαρισμάτων), but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same GOD who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
Spiritual gifts are diverse but unified in source (Trinity). Every believer receives gifts for serving others.
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift (χάρισμα) of GOD is eternal life in CHRIST JESUS our LORD."
The ultimate contrast: sin earns death (wages), but eternal life is a gift. Salvation cannot be earned.
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift (δῶρον) of GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Salvation is a gift, not a reward. Faith itself is a gift. No room for human boasting.
Scholar Insights
fee
Spiritual gifts are not natural talents baptized but supernatural enablings. They are the Spirit's manifestations (1 Cor 12:7) through believers for the common good. The greatest gift is love (1 Cor 13), because gifts without love are noise. Gifts are temporary (prophecy will pass away), but love is eternal.
wright
The language of "gift" in Paul is inseparable from grace (charis). GOD's gift is always undeserved, freely given. The supreme gift is JESUS CHRIST Himself (Rom 8:32), and all other gifts flow from this central reality. Spiritual gifts are signs of new creation breaking into the present age.
heiser
The concept of gift in the ancient Near East carried covenant obligations. When YHWH gives gifts (Levites, land, Spirit), it's within covenant framework. His gifts demand response - not to earn them, but because we've received them. The gift-giving pattern reflects divine council dynamics (Ps 68:18 → Eph 4:8).
bartholomew
Gift-giving patterns Scripture from Eden (tree of life) to Eschaton (eternal life). The tree of life was GOD's gift; eating from it was His intent. In CHRIST, we receive access to that tree again (Rev 22:14). All of salvation history is the story of GOD giving Himself to His people.
Note: Extra-biblical sources are provided for historical and cultural context. They are not authoritative like Scripture but help illuminate the ancient understanding of biblical texts.
Extra-Biblical References
Dead Sea Scrolls - Community Rule (1QS 11:2-3)
1QS 11:2-3"And from the fount of His justice comes my judgment, and from His marvelous mysteries comes the light in my heart... from His righteousness my justification, from His abundant goodness comes all these gifts poured out upon me."
Qumran community understood all blessings as divine gifts. Their communal sharing (Acts 2 pattern) reflected belief that possessions were gifts to be shared, not hoarded.
Philo of Alexandria - On the Cherubim
Cher. 42"For GOD gives nothing imperfect. His gifts, even the smallest, are perfect and complete."
Hellenistic Jewish understanding that GOD's gifts are perfect. James 1:17 echoes this: "Every good and perfect gift is from above."
Wisdom of Solomon 7:7-11
Wis. 7:7-11"Therefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon GOD, and the spirit of wisdom came to me... they that use her become the friends of GOD, being commended by the gifts (δόματα) that come from instruction."
Wisdom portrayed as gift from GOD. Connects to James 1:5 ("If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask GOD, who gives generously").
Related Words
חֵן (chen)
chen
H2580 - Grace, favor. Grace is the disposition that produces gifts. Where there is grace, gifts follow.
χάρις (charis)
charis
G5485 - Grace. Charisma (gift) comes from charis (grace). Gifts are grace in action.
Typology & Patterns
Typological Fulfillment
Type: Levites as Gift (Num 18:6) → Fulfillment: Church as GOD's gift to the world. Type: Manna (Ex 16) → Fulfillment: JESUS as Bread of Life (John 6:32-35). Type: Sacrificial Offerings (Lev 1-7) → Fulfillment: CHRIST's one sacrifice (Heb 10:10-14). He is both Gift and Giver.
Biblical Patterns
- •GOD as Ultimate Giver (James 1:17, every good gift)
- •JESUS as Supreme Gift (John 3:16, 2 Cor 9:15)
- •Holy Spirit as Promised Gift (Acts 1:4, 2:38)
- •Spiritual Gifts for Edification (1 Cor 12-14)
- •Eschatological Gift: Eternal Life (Rom 6:23)
Practical Application
Understanding biblical gifting transforms how we receive and give. First, we receive GOD's gifts with gratitude: salvation (Eph 2:8), Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), eternal life (Rom 6:23). These cannot be earned. Second, we steward spiritual gifts for others' benefit (1 Peter 4:10). Every believer has received gifts to serve. Third, we give generously because we've been given to (2 Cor 8:9). Material gifts meet needs, spiritual gifts build faith. The principle: freely you have received, freely give (Matt 10:8).
"Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You."
— Psalm 119:11