What does it mean for salvation to be a gift from God?

Answer

The term “gift” holds significant importance in the Bible, and it is crucial for us to comprehend its definition and implications.

Within the New Testament, various Greek terms are translated as “gift.” Some of these terms are utilized in contexts beyond God’s gift of salvation, such as the exchange of gifts among celebrants «And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. », (Revelation 11:10), the presents given by fathers «If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? », (Matthew 7:11), contributions to a ministry «Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. », (Philippians 4:17), and the offerings of the magi «And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. », (Matthew 2:11).

Nevertheless, concerning our salvation, the New Testament authors employ distinct Greek terms—words that highlight the gracious and entirely free nature of the gift. Here are the two most frequently used words for the gift of salvation:

1) Dorea, signifying “a free gift.” This term particularly underscores the gratuitous aspect of the gift—it is something given above and beyond what is anticipated or demanded.Served. Every New Testament occurrence of this word is related to a spiritual gift from God. It is what Jesus offers to the Samaritan woman at the well «Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. », (John 4:10). It is the “unspeakable [or indescribable] gift” in 2 Corinthians 9:15. This gracious gift is identified as the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38; 8:20; and 11:17.

The adverb form of this word is dorean, translated as “freely” in Matthew 10:8; 2 Corinthians 11:7; Revelation 21:6; 22:17. In Romans 3:24, immediately following God’s pronouncement of our guilt, we have this use of dorean: “Being justified FREELY by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” The gift of salvation is free, and the motive for the gift is nothing more than the grace of the Giver.

2) Charisma, meaning “a gift of grace.” This word is used to define salvation in Romans 5:15-16. Also, in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT [charisma] of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This same word is used in conjunction with the gifts of the Spirit received after salvation (Romans 12:6;1 Timothy 4:14;2 Timothy 1:6;1 Peter 4:10).

Obviously, if something is a “gift of grace,” it cannot be earned. To work for something is to deserve it, and that would produce an obligation—a gift of debt, as it were. That is why works destroy grace (Romans 4:1-5;11:5-6).

When presenting salvation, the New Testament writers carefully chose words that emphasize grace and freedom. As a result, the Bible could not be more clear—salvation is absolutely free.See, the genuine gift from God in Christ, and our sole duty is to accept the gift through faith (John 1:12;John 3:16;Ephesians 2:8-9).