Dict: easton - Dispensation

easton:

Dispensation @ (Gr. oikonomia, "management," "economy").

(1.) The method or scheme according to which God carries out his purposes towards men is called a dispensation. There are usually reckoned three dispensations, the Patriarchal, the Mosaic or Jewish, and the Christian. (
See COVENANT, Administration of.) These were so many stages in God's unfolding of his purpose of grace toward men. The word is not found with this meaning in Scripture.

(2.) A commission to preach the gospel ( kjv@1Corinthians:9:17; kjv@Ephesians:1:10 kjv@Ephesians:3:2; kjv@Colossians:1:25). Dispensations of Providence are providential events which affect men either in the way of mercy or of judgement.