Daily Bread – June 20, 2022 (The Second Day – Genesis 1:6-8) 1 Corinthians 12:4 – Now there are divisions of charismata, but the same Spirit. Divisions of Charismata – Defining Terms The Greek word ‘diareseis’ is only found in these three verses in the New Testament. However, it is used 34 times in the Septuagint. It is used as a translation for several Hebrew words. The first time it appears in the Old Testament is in Joshua 19:51 where it translates the Hebrew word ‘nachal’ which means “inheritance or divisions”. The next time it appears is in Judges 5:15-16 – only this time it translates the Hebrew word ‘pelaggah’ which means ‘divisions’ or ‘streams.’ Then, the third time is in 1 Chronicles 24:1 where it translates ‘ machlekah’ which means “course or division” referring to the divisions of the Priesthood. The final time it is observed in the Old Testament is in Psalms where it translated the Hebrew ‘gazar’ which means “cut off or divide” with respect to the miracle of the Red Sea (Psalms 136:13/LXX 153:13). The common denominator in of all of these Hebrew words which ‘diareseis’ translates is ‘division.’ Division is one of the primary meanings of ‘diareseis’ in the Greek language. It may also be translated “variety, difference, and apportionment”. The Greek word ‘diareseis’ is a noun derived from the verb ‘diaireo’ which means “divide”. The best way to translate ‘charismata’ is “acts of grace.” Charismata is the activity of the Holy Spirit through the life of those who have been born of Spirit and endued with His power. It is the manifestation of the Spirit that is given to reveal the presence of the unseen Jesus (Mark 16:17; Matthew 18:20, 28:20). The word charismata is derived from the Greek root ‘charis’ which means “grace”. Grace means far more than just favor, for grace is revealed to be the divine empowerment supplying the saints with the ability to do and be everything God has purposed for our lives. Grace may be extended to mean any divine act of God which results in either His protection or help, but more than anything else, His empowerment of an individual. Charis (grace) may also be understood as the state that accompanies joy (chara). Charisma is the result of charis – thus the ‘ma’ suffix – and may also be understood as the proof of charis. Charisma (charismata is the plural form of charisma) is related to the Hebrew word ‘chesed,’ which means “covenant love” (charisma translates chesed in the Septuagent). Paul uses charisma to describe the whole of salvation (Romans 5:15, 6:23). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 6/20/2022
