Dict: easton - Gift

easton:

Gift @

(1.) An gratuity kjv@Proverbs:19:6) to secure favour (18:16; 21:14), a thank-offering kjv@Numbers:18:11), or a dowry kjv@Genesis:34:12).

(2.) An oblation or proppitatory gift ( kjv@2Samuel:8:2 kjv@2Samuel:8:6 kjv@1Chronicles:18:2 kjv@1Chronicles:18:6 kjv@2Chronicles:26:8; kjv@Psalms:45:12 kjv@Psalms:72:10).

(3.) A bribe to a judge to obtain a favourable verdict kjv@Exodus:23:8; kjv@Deuteronomy:16:19).

(4.) Simply a thing given kjv@Matthew:7:11; kjv@Luke:11:13; kjv@Ephesians:4:8); sacrifical kjv@Matthew:5:23-24 kjv@Matthew:8:4); eleemosynary kjv@Luke:21:1); a gratuity kjv@John:4:10; kjv@Acts:8:20). In kjv@Acts:2:38 the generic word dorea is rendered "gift." It differs from the charisma ( kjv@1Corinthians:12:4) as denoting not miraculous powers but the working of a new spirit in men, and that spirit from God. The giving of presents entered largely into the affairs of common life in the East. The nature of the presents was as various as were the occasions: food ( kjv@1Samuel:9:7 kjv@1Samuel:16:20), sheep and cattle kjv@Genesis:32:13-15), gold ( kjv@2Samuel:18:11), jewels kjv@Genesis:24:53), furniture, and vessels for eating and drinking ( kjv@2Samuel:17:28); delicacies, as spices, honey, etc. (kjvKings:10:25; kjv@2Kings:5:22). The mode of presentation was with as much parade as possible: the presents were conveyed by the hands of servants kjv@Judges:3:18), or still better, on the backs of beasts of burden ( kjv@2Kings:8:9). The refusal of a present was regarded as a high indignity; and this constituted the aggravated insult noticed in kjv@Matthew:22:11, the marriage robe having been offered and refused.

Gifts, spiritual @ (Gr. charismata), gifts supernaturally bestowed on the early Christians, each having his own proper gift or gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. These were the result of the extraordinary operation of the Spirit, as on the day of Pentecost. They were the gifts of speaking with tongues, casting out devils, healing, etc. kjv@Mark:16:17-18), usually communicated by the medium of the laying on of the hands of the apostles kjv@Acts:8:17 kjv@Acts:19:6; kjv@1Timothy:4:14). These charismata were enjoyed only for a time. They could not continue always in the Church. They were suited to its infancy and to the necessities of those times.