Spirit’s Gifts: φανέρωσις (Strong’s G5321: phanerōsis) Reveals Divine Power

Strong’s G5321: A noun meaning “manifestation” or “revelation,” derived from φανερόω (to make manifest). Particularly significant in discussing spiritual gifts and divine truth. Used in contexts of the Spirit’s work in revealing God’s presence and power through believers.

U- Unveiling the Word

The noun φανέρωσις represents the concrete manifestation or clear demonstration of something previously hidden. In the New Testament, it carries particular theological weight in contexts of spiritual gifts and divine revelation. Paul uses this term specifically to describe how the Holy Spirit makes God’s presence and power visible through believers’ lives and ministries. The early church recognized this word’s significance in understanding how God’s truth and power become tangibly evident in the community of faith. Today, φανέρωσις continues to remind us that God’s presence and power are meant to be visibly demonstrated through His people, not merely theoretical or abstract concepts.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: φανέρωσις, phanerōsis, fan-er’-o-sis
• Pronunciation Guide: fan (as in “fantastic”) + er (as in “error”) + o (as in “oh”) + sis (as in “thesis”)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• φανερ- (phaner-): from φανερός meaning “manifest, clear”
• -ωσις (-ōsis): noun-forming suffix indicating action or process
  Combined to mean “the act or process of making manifest”

D – Defining Meanings

• Manifestation
• Clear demonstration
• Exhibition
• Visible display

For compound words:
This is not a compound word but a derived noun

Translation Options:

• “Manifestation” – emphasizes the making visible of something hidden
• “Demonstration” – focuses on the clear showing forth
• “Exhibition” – captures the public display aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis, ap-ok-al’-oop-sis) – revelation See G602
• δήλωσις (dēlōsis, day’-lo-sis) – manifestation See G1223
• ἐπιφάνεια (epiphaneia, ep-if-an’-i-ah) – appearing See G2015

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a noun:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: Third declension

Examples of case forms:

• Nominative: φανέρωσις
• Genitive: φανερώσεως
• Dative: φανερώσει
• Accusative: φανέρωσιν

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The lexicons provide valuable insights into φανέρωσις. BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of spiritual gifts and divine manifestation. Thayer’s notes its connection to making visible what was previously hidden. LSJ documents its development from showing forth to spiritual manifestation. Vine’s particularly emphasizes its use in describing the Spirit’s work through believers. Strong’s connects it to the concept of exhibition or manifestation. Moulton and Milligan show its use in official contexts where public demonstration was required. The term carries the sense of a clear, unmistakable demonstration rather than a mere hint or suggestion.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
1 Corinthians 12:7: “But the manifestation [φανέρωσις] of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”

Additional References:
2 Corinthians 4:2

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The word φανέρωσις beautifully captures how God makes His presence and power visible through His people. Particularly in the context of spiritual gifts, it reminds us that God’s work is meant to be tangibly demonstrated, not merely theorized. The good news is that King Jesus continues to manifest His presence through the Holy Spirit’s work in believers’ lives. This manifestation serves not for personal glory but for the building up of His body and the demonstration of His kingdom power to the world.

D – Did You Know?

1. φανέρωσις appears only twice in the New Testament, both in Pauline epistles.
2. Early church fathers used this term extensively when discussing the visible evidence of the Spirit’s work.
3. The word influenced early Christian teaching about the public nature of spiritual gifts.

Strong’s G5321: A noun meaning “manifestation” or “revelation,” derived from φανερόω (to make manifest). Particularly significant in discussing spiritual gifts and divine truth. Used in contexts of the Spirit’s work in revealing God’s presence and power through believers.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: manifestation, spiritual-gifts, revelation, demonstration, Holy-Spirit, divine-power, visibility, evidence, spiritual-power, gifts, ministry, demonstration, church, body-of-messiah, edification​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​