Understanding δώρημα (dōrēma) Strong’s G1434: God’s Perfect Gift and Divine Provision That Transcends Human Measure

Pronunciation Guide: dō-ray’-mah (with emphasis on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1434: Δώρημα (dōrēma) refers to a gift freely bestowed with no expectation of return, specifically indicating something given out of pure grace and generosity. In the biblical context, it particularly emphasizes divine gifts from God that are perfect and complete in nature. Unlike common gifts exchanged between people, δώρημα carries the connotation of a bountifully generous bestowal that originates from God’s gracious character.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Noun (neuter)
• Root Word: Derived from δωρέω (dōreō, “to give freely, bestow as a gift”)
• Language Origin: Classical Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in theological discourse and teaching passages
• Related to: δῶρον (dōron, “gift”) and δωρεά (dōrea, “free gift”)
• Distinguished by: Greater emphasis on the perfection and completeness of the gift than related terms

Δώρημα Morphology:

• δώρημα (nominative singular) – a gift
• δωρήματος (genitive singular) – of a gift
• δωρήματι (dative singular) – with/in/by a gift
• δώρημα (accusative singular) – a gift (direct object)
• δωρήματα (nominative/accusative plural) – gifts

Origin & History

The term δώρημα has its roots in classical Greek where it conveyed the idea of a formal or official present. In secular Greek literature, it often appeared in contexts involving gifts given by rulers or those in positions of power. Xenophon used similar terminology when describing royal gifts bestowed by Persian kings to honor loyal subjects in his work “Cyropaedia.”

When the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) was produced, translators used related terms like δῶρον more frequently than δώρημα. However, the concept behind δώρημα – that of perfect, gracious giving – aligned well with Hebrew concepts of divine provision found in terms like מַתָּנָה (mattanah) and מַתָּת (mattat). By the time of the New Testament era, δώρημα had developed specialized theological significance emphasizing the perfect quality and divine origin of gifts, particularly in Hellenistic Jewish contexts as evidenced in the writings of Philo of Alexandria who used it to describe God’s perfect provisions.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A freely given present that emphasizes the perfection and completeness of the gift
• A divinely bestowed blessing or provision that transcends ordinary giving
• A precious endowment granted out of pure generosity with no expectation of return
• A gift specifically characterized by its flawless nature and beneficial purpose

Δώρημα Translation Options:

• Perfect gift – Emphasizes the flawless quality and completeness inherent in the term
• Divine endowment – Highlights the heavenly origin and supernatural quality
• Gracious bestowal – Focuses on the unmerited nature of the giving
• Complete provision – Captures the sense of thoroughness and sufficiency
• Bountiful blessing – Conveys the abundant and generous nature of the gift

Biblical Usage

The term δώρημα appears only twice in the New Testament, which makes its usage particularly significant. Its first appearance is in Romans 5:16, where Paul contrasts the “free gift” (δώρημα) that brings justification with the judgment that came through Adam’s transgression. This powerful contrast highlights how God’s gracious gift operates on an entirely different plane than the natural consequences of sin – whereas sin brought judgment, God’s δώρημα brings complete justification.

The second appearance is in James 1:17, perhaps the more well-known usage, where James declares that “every perfect gift” (πᾶν δώρημα τέλειον) comes down from the Father of lights. This usage associates δώρημα directly with divine perfection and heavenly origin, establishing that the truly perfect gifts in our lives come from God above. Notably, James uses both δόσις (dosis, “act of giving”) and δώρημα (dōrēma, “gift”) in this verse, creating a powerful progression from the act of giving to the perfect nature of what is given.

Biblical cross-references featuring δώρημα:

• “And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift [δώρημα]: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift [χάρισμα] is of many offences unto justification.” Romans 5:16
• “Every good gift [δόσις] and every perfect gift [δώρημα] is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world of the first century, gift-giving was deeply embedded in complex social relationships and often carried expectations of reciprocity. When a gift (δῶρον) was given, there was typically an unspoken obligation for the recipient to return the favor in some form. This cultural practice of reciprocal gift-giving was so entrenched that the philosopher Seneca devoted significant attention to it in his work “De Beneficiis” (On Benefits), discussing the proper giving and receiving of gifts and the obligations they created.

Against this cultural backdrop, the use of δώρημα in the New Testament takes on additional significance. By emphasizing God’s gifts as δώρημα rather than just δῶρον, the biblical authors highlighted that God’s giving transcends the human economy of exchange. Divine gifts come with no strings attached – they are perfect expressions of God’s character rather than the opening moves in a transactional relationship. This would have been a radical concept in a society where most giving was calculated and expected reciprocation. The Jewish audience would have connected this with the Hebrew concept of חֶסֶד (chesed) – God’s covenant faithfulness and loving-kindness that gives not out of obligation but out of the overflow of His character.

Theological Significance

The concept of δώρημα reveals profound theological truths about both God’s character and His relationship with humanity. As “every perfect gift” comes from above, δώρημα points to God as the ultimate giver whose nature is defined by generosity. Unlike human giving which is often tainted by mixed motives, divine giving flows from pure love and grace. This revelation of God as the perfect giver invites us to trust in His goodness and provision, knowing that His gifts are always perfectly suited to our needs and His purposes.

Furthermore, the appearance of δώρημα in Romans 5:16 illuminates the magnificent nature of salvation itself. Paul contrasts the devastating effects of Adam’s sin with the overwhelming power of God’s gift in the Messiah Jesus. While a single transgression brought condemnation to all humanity, God’s perfect gift (δώρημα) brings justification even after countless offenses. This demonstrates the superabundant nature of divine grace – it doesn’t merely match the problem of sin but overwhelmingly surpasses it. The theology of δώρημα thus teaches us that God doesn’t just meet our needs; He provides with extravagant abundance that reflects His infinite resources and boundless love.

Personal Application

Understanding the concept of δώρημα invites us to reexamine our view of God’s provision in our lives. Rather than seeing God’s gifts as mere solutions to problems or answers to prayers, we can recognize them as perfect expressions of His character – flawlessly designed and precisely tailored to not just meet our needs but to transform us into His likeness. When we face difficulties or await God’s intervention, remembering the nature of His δώρημα encourages us to trust not just in what He gives, but in who He is as the perfect giver.

Moreover, grasping the concept of δώρημα challenges us to reflect this same quality of giving in our own lives. While human giving can never match divine perfection, we are called to imitate our heavenly Father by giving generously without calculation or expectation of return. When we give of our time, resources, or love with no strings attached, we participate in the divine economy of grace that flows not from obligation but from the overflow of God’s character being formed within us.

Related Words

• δῶρον (dōron) [doh’-ron]: A gift or present in the general sense, often used for offerings presented to God. Unlike δώρημα, it doesn’t necessarily emphasize the perfection of the gift but focuses more on the act of presentation. See G1435
• δωρεά (dōrea) [do-reh-ah’]: A free gift emphasizing the gratuitous nature of the giving. While similar to δώρημα, it stresses the freely-given aspect more than the perfection of what is given. Frequently used for the gift of the Holy Spirit. See G1431
• χάρισμα (charisma) [khar’-is-mah]: A grace-gift or favor bestowed, highlighting God’s grace as the motivation. Related to δώρημα but with greater emphasis on the grace behind the gift rather than its perfect quality. See G5486
• μεταδίδωμι (metadidōmi) [met-ad-id’-o-mee]: To impart or share with others, focusing on the transfer or distribution aspect of giving rather than the gift itself. See G3330
• εὐλογία (eulogia) [yoo-log-ee’-ah]: A blessing or benefit bestowed, related to δώρημα in that both involve beneficial provisions but with eulogia carrying stronger connotations of spoken blessing. See G2129

Did you Know?

• The concept of δώρημα as a perfect gift finds remarkable parallel in the ancient Jewish understanding of Torah as God’s perfect gift to Israel. Rabbi Akiva would later refer to the Torah as a “precious vessel” and “perfect instrument” given by God – conceptually similar to how James describes δώρημα as the perfect gift from above. This connection would not have been lost on early Jewish believers who would have seen the Messiah as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s perfect giving, the living Torah.
• While δώρημα appears only twice in the New Testament, its conceptual influence extends much further. When Paul discusses “the unspeakable gift” (τῇ ἀνεκδιηγήτῳ αὐτοῦ δωρεᾷ) in 2 Corinthians 9:15, he’s expressing a similar concept of God’s perfect provision in the Messiah that transcends human language and understanding.
• In modern Greek, derivatives of δώρημα continue to be used in contexts of honorary gifts and ceremonial presentations. The modern Greek word “δώρο” (doro) is commonly used for presents and gifts, particularly on special occasions, showing how this concept of special giving has remained embedded in Greek culture from ancient times to the present day.

Remember This

Δώρημα reveals that God doesn’t merely give gifts; He gives perfection itself – flawlessly designed provisions that flow from His unchanging goodness and arrive precisely when and how we need them most.