gifts Summary and Overview

GIFTS . The word "gifts" is employed to describe those graces or qualities with which Christ endues his disciples. Eph 4:8, Eph 4:11-12. Some of these, which were bestowed on the early apostles, were miraculous, and designed to confirm their claims to apostolic authority, such as the gift of tongues, of prophecy, etc. The "ministry of gifts" ceased with the apostles, although some hold that they have been continued, and are still dispensed; as, for example, the Irvingites.

So common in the East that there are 15 distinct Hebrew words for them. Minchah, from an inferior to a superior (Judges 3:15). Maseeth, vice versa (Esther 2:18). Berakah, "a blessing," i.e. complimentary (2 Kings 5:15). Shochad, a bribe (Exodus 23:8; 2 Kings 16:8). Many were not voluntary, but a compulsory exaction: tribute (2 Kings 17:3). "To bring presents" is to own submission (Psalm 68:29). That to a prophet was his consulting fee (1 Samuel 9:7), not a bribe (1 Samuel 12:3). To refuse a present was an insult; the wedding robe offered and slighted was the condemnation of the disrobed guest (Matthew 22:11).