The refusal of a present was regarded as a high indig- nity, and this constituted the aggravated insult noticed in Matt, xxii, 11, the marriage robe having been offer- ed and refused (Trench, Parables'). No less an insult was it not to bring a present when the position of the parties demanded it (1 Sam. x, 27)" (Smith, s. v.). Comp. Present.
Gift of Tongues. See Tongues, Gift of.
Gifts, Spiritual (xao/rr/^ifira, ckarisms). On this subject we make the following extract, by permission, from ScliafF, History of the Apostolic Church, § 116:
"By the expression spiritual gift or gift off/race, Xapic!j.ia, iVEpyiiiia,the apostle means 'a revelation of the Spirit for the common good' (4>oi'fpajrT(t,- roij Tri'iv- HUTOi^ Trpi'if,- TO (n'i.i<pipov, 1 Cor. xii, 7; Trpo*,' t))v oiko- C>oj.ti)i' D/i; tKK\)](rla(;, xiy, 12; compare Eph. iv, 12); that is, not faith in general, which constitutes the es- sence of the whole Christian disposition, but a particu- lar energy and utterance of the believer's life, prompt- ed and guided by the Hoh- Ghost, for the edification
[ of the Church ; the predominant religious qualification, the peculiar divine talent of the individual, by which
I lie is to perform his function, as an organic member, in
I the vital action of the whole, and promote its growth.
[ It is, therefore, as the name itself implies, something supernaturally wrought, and bestowed by free grace (comp. 1 Cor. xii, 11) ; yet it forms itself, like Chris- tianit}' in general, upon the natural basis prepared for it in the native intellectual and moral capacities of the man, which are in fact themselves gifts of God. These natural qualities it baptizes with the Holj' Ghost and with fire, and rouses to higher and freer activity. The charisms arc man}', corresponding to the various facul- ties of the soul and the needs of the bod}' of Christ ; and in this 'very abundance and diversity of gifts are revealed the riches of divine grace (ttoikIXi) xapic^^tov, 1 Pet. iv, 10). As, however, they all flow from the same source, are wrought l)y the Holy Ghost, and are gifts of free grace, so they all subserve the same end, the edification of the body of Christ. Hence the apos- tle applies to them the beautiful simile of the bodily
1 organism, the harmonious co-operation of different members (Rom. xii, 4-G ; 1 Cor. xii, 12 sq.). To this practical design the term admin> strati ons or ministry (^laKoi'lai, 1 Cor. xii, 5 ; comp. Eph. iv, 12 ; 1 Pet. iv, 10) no doubt refei's. Every one has ' his proper gift,' which best corresponds to his natural peculiarity and is indispensable for his sphere of activity (1 Cor. yii, 7; xii, 11; Rom. xii, 6; 1 Pet. iv, 10). But several charisms may also be united in one individual. This was the case particularly with the apostles, whose of- fice in fact originally included all other spiritual of- fices and their functions, even to the diaconate (comp. Acts iv, 35, 37 ; vi, 2). It is true they all had not these gifts in equal measure. John seems to have pos- sessed especially the charisms of love, profound knowl- edge, and prophecy ; Peter, those of Church govern- ment and discipline, miracles, and discernment of spir- its (comp. Acts V, 1 sq.) ; James, those of tlie faithful episcopal superintendence of a congregation, and si- lent, patient service at the altar. Most variously en- dowed in this respect was St. Paul, eminent alike in knowing and in setting forth divine mysteries ; fitted both for the labors of a pioneer, and for preserving and confirming established order ; at home among visions and revelations ; excelling all the Corinthians in the gift of tongues (1 Cor. xiv, 18) ; and accredited among them by signs and wonders (2 Cor. xii, 12). The greatest movements in the history of the world always proceed froui individuals uncommonly gifted, in whom the scattered mental energies of their age are harmo- niously concentrated. Of course, however, the num- Iier or strength of the charisms establishes no merit of preference as to the attainment of salvation. For this, living faith in Christ is sufficient. The charisms are free gifts of grace ; and the man is responsible, not foi*
GIFTS, SPIRITUAL
8G0
GIFTS, SPIRITUAL
tlie possession, but for the use of them. Even^ spirit- ual i;ift is liable to abuse. Spiritual knowledge may puft" up (1 Cor. viii, 1). The gift of tongues may fos- ter vanity and the disposition to monopolize the ben- efit of worship in self-edifying rapture (xiv, 2 sq.). And every gift is attended witli heav}^ responsibilitj'. Hence the apostle's earnest commendation of love, which alone would prevent such abuse of other gifts, and make their exercise pleasing to God. The value of the gifts varied; not depending, however, as many of the Corinthians thought, on their splendor and out- ward ett'ect, but on their practical utility for building up the kingdom of God (1 Cor. xii, ."I ; xiv, 3 sq.). This extraordinar}' operation of the Spirit sliowed it- self first in the apostles on the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. Some of these gifts, as those of prophecy and miracles, meet us, indeed, even in the Old Testament ; and before the resurrection of Christ we find the disciples healing the sick and easting out devils (Matt, xi, 8 : Mark vi, 13). But the ^jermnnere^ possession of the Holy Ghost as the Spirit of Christ was attached to his glorification and exaltation to the right hand of the Father (John vii, 39). Thence it fol- lowed the steps of the heralds of the Gospel as a holy energ}', awakening in every susceptilde soul a depth of knowledge, a power of will, and a jubilee of heav- enly joy, which formed a glowing contrast with the surrounding paganism. For the Lord had promised (Mark xvi, 17, 18) that the gifts of speaking with tongues, casting out devils, and healing, should be not confined to a few-, but bestowed on the mass of believ- ers. This blooming glory of the infant Church un- folded itself most luxuriantly among the intellectual, excitable, gifted Greeks, especially in the Corinthian Church. But there, too, the dangers and abuses at- tending it most frequently appeared. The usual me- dium of communicating spiritual gifts was tlie laying on of the apostles' hands (Acts viii, 17 ; xix, G ; 1 Tim. iv, 14) ; j'et on Cornelius and his company the Holy Ghost fell immediateljf after the simple preaching of the Gospel, and they began to speak with tongues and prophesj', to the great astonishment of the Jewish- Christian brethren, before Peter had baptized them (Acts x,44,46).