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 Introduction and Index To All Four Sections
Emphasis Mine In All Bible Verses
Introduction - A Free Gift?
‘Free’?
As Christians we believe that Bible is the Word of God. And so it is.
However, there is a caveat - the Bible is ONLY the Word of God if it conveys exactly the same message as the original Greek and Hebrew in the original books. If any portion of the translation we hold in our hands has been changed in any way, that portion is no longer God's Word.
And Christians know this all too well often (rightly) making it a point to say that we should never ever add or take away anything from God's word? The idea being that we don't change anything.
Yet, it is done all the time - not only by cultists and fringe groups but by those we consider upstanding leaders and scholars. Deception is often very, very subtle.
In the church today one often hears that salvation is a 'free' gift from God - this based on three verses in Romans. For example, in Romans 6:23 and 5:15-16 the word charisma that simply means a gift - is rendered "Free Gift" in several popular translations including the KJV, the NASB, ASV, ESA, etc.
This is a problem simply because the word "free" does NOT exist in the original Greek. The NASB says
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift (Gk. charisma) of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 NASB)
But the free gift (Gk. charisma) is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. (16) The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift (Gk. charisma) arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. (Romans 5:15-16 NASB)
To be noted is that charisma was translated 'free gift'' ONLY in the three instances when it occurred in connection with salvation. In all other verses charisma is rendered as the single word 'gift'. Note the following examples...
For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift (Gk. charisma) to you, that you may be established; (Romans 1:11 NASB)
for the gifts (Gk. Charisma) and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29 NASB)
Since we have gifts (Gk. Charisma) that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; (Romans 12:6 NASB)
so that you are not lacking in any gift (Gk. Charisma), awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 1:7 NASB)
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN THIS BE CALLED A TRANSLATION. Translators are supposed to be translating the original Greek words, NOT providing us with a commentary as to what they believe the verse means. And they are certainly not supposed to add in words not found in the original languages unless it is done ONLY to make more sense in English - which is not the case here. Did they not think that had Paul wanted to emphasize the 'freeness' of this gift he was perfectly capable of doing so without any help whatsoever.
This is a clear case of people intentionally adding their own thoughts and ideas to God's word. But remember when any portion of God's Word is changed in any way, that portion is no longer God's Word.
The Greek word Charisma is derived from charizomai that in turn comes from the root word Charis that simply means graciousness. Bible Study tools says "Charisma is a favour which one receives without any merit of his own." [01]
In other words, the three verses from Romans simply point out God's kindness and graciousness in spite of the fact we have no merit of our own.
Note: This is far from the only case where words were translated in accordance with preconceived ideas affecting some very crucial issues. See Footnote I
Small Change - Big Impact
Presumably based on these translations, numerous Christian leaders use the word "free" without any restraint. See for example, John Piper's The Free Gift of God Is Eternal Life available on the internet.
The result of adding one single word to three verses conveys a subtle but powerful emphasis to the idea that salvation doesn't cost us a thing and is neither restricted by or subject to any given condition. It costs us nothing and there is nothing more strenuous for us to do than 'accept' this gift - 'Sure, I'll let Jesus be my Savior'
However, one question remains. Does the word gift (minus 'free') mean that it never has any strings attached?
I'm afraid not!
"Gift"
In ordinary everyday use a gift is "something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation" (Free Dictionary). In other words, it wouldn't be a gift if it were paid for in cold hard cash, in services rendered, or coerced in some manner. But just because a gift is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation does not necessarily mean that there are no conditions attached.
In fact, both God's gifts and promises to man were virtually always conditional.
In Joshua 6:2 the Lord told Joshua that He had given him the city of Jericho but, as we know, there were certain conditions that had to be complied with before the Israelites could occupy the city.
In Acts 27:24 the Lord told Paul that the lives of all two hundred and seventy-six sailors in the ship with him would be "given him", but Paul recognized that there were conditions to be met which he communicated to the sailors a few verses later when they wanted to abandon ship [See John 6:33 in Section... Limited Atonement].
Remember that the imposition of conditions in no way nullifies the freeness of the gift. Perhaps a couple of simple analogies will sufficiently illustrate when I mean.
1.) Lets say I have a young nephew who is crazy about dogs. So one day, I go out and get him a small puppy as a gift. He is ecstatic but, knowing him to be a little careless, I warn him that if he does not look after the puppy properly (feeding, clean water, exercise etc.), he will lose it. I have attached a condition that in no way takes away from the fact that the gift was given voluntarily and without any compensation. My sole reason for giving my nephew this gift was not as a reward for being good or for doing his chores, but because I love him and would take great pleasure in seeing him spend many happy hours playing with and enjoying his dog. However, if he carelessly neglects the puppy and is unrepentant about doing so, he will lose the puppy because I will take it back.
2.) It is similar to a situation in which a very wealthy man "gives" a much poorer man a beautiful and expensive car - on condition that he take care of it ie. he must keep it washed and waxed, change the oil regularly etc. And if he does not the rich man will not allow him to keep it.
However, he will have help. The rich man has promised to send someone over to help maintain the car. The recipient could never have afforded this vehicle even if he were to save his pennies for his entire life. But now all he had to do was stretch out his hand for the keys and bless his good fortune. Now in possession of such a beautiful and valuable piece of machinery would he not be a fool to neglect its upkeep?
Salvation is a gift of His grace offered to us by the Father because He doesn't want any of us to perish. However, numerous texts tell us we that there are conditions - we have to do something - live a certain way in order to be admitted into God's kingdom. We have to take care of the gift. See The Warning of the Bible.
Not all the passages in the Scriptures that speak of God's promises expressly mention the conditions that have to be met in order for Him to keep those promises. This does not mean that the conditions do not exist and have not been made very clear... they just aren't in the same verse. For example,
Be Obedient: Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. (Matthew 7:21 NASB)
Do Good Works: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10 NASB)
Endure: But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. (Matthew 24:13 NASB) Also See Mark 13:13.
Be Righteous: For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven". (Matthew 5:20 NASB) See Holiness
Quite obviously salvation and sanctification go hand in hand... One does not exist without the other. And as the last quote immediately above says the consequences are severe "you will not enter the kingdom of heaven". Hebrews 12:14 echoes the warning
Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. (NASB)
Continue on to The Kingdom Doesn't Come Cheap
To imagine that we can live our lives like the rest of the world, but still be welcome in God's presence is little more than wishful thinking. The minute we convert and are born again, we are adopted as sons and daughters of God and become citizens of His heavenly kingdom - strangers and pilgrims that stop here for a little while and then move on - eventually returning to what will be our permanent home.
However we cannot maintain a dual citizenship - allegiance has to be to one or the other. If our standards are set by this godless, profane, and anything goes world, we have no inheritance in His Kingdom. Living by the standards of the coming kingdom involves everything that we do, everything that we say, and everything that we think or imagine. HERE
Footnote I
Sadly, the concept of a “free gift” is far from the only erroneous doctrine that is taught as 'Biblical' - the list is a very long one and covers almost every major doctrine in Christianity. One can only conclude that a pre-bias drove many of the so called translations.
What we do know is that in the effort to put forward what they believe to be true, the translators have led people away from what the Scriptures actually say. Most believers rely on these inaccurate translations without realizing that it is possible to check what is being taught even if they do not speak Hebrew or Greek. But, fair warning - it takes time, effort and dedication and a great attention to context. See Context is CRUCIAL
Let us never forget that the book of Acts (17:11) describes the people from the city of Berea as
...more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so".
If the Bereans did not take Paul and Silas’ word for it but checked what they said against the Scriptures, why in the world do we imagine that we can take any modern day pastor or theologian’s word at face value without checking for ourselves that what they teach is true? We must be a LOT more gullible and, dare I say it, more stupid than those ancient people.
See Critical Mistranslations
End Notes
[01] www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/charisma.html
[02] www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/charizomai.html
[03] biblehub.com/greek/5483.htm
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