IT is interesting to note that when Paul used the word gift in the sixth and twelfth chapters of Romans, and in several places in his first epistle to the Corinthians, he selected a Greek word, charisma, signifying "spiritual recompense, a free gift of grace," translated by one authority "the power of a holy life," a word which differs from the one used in Matthew ii. 11, also in other places in the gospels, in that this word, donor, implies a material offering or earthly treasure. When Paul wrote in his first epistle to Timothy, "Neglect not the gift that is in thee," he employed this same Greek word, charisma, so that there could be no doubt as to the spiritual character of this gift, even if the apostle had not qualified it by the explanation "which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery," the "laying on of the hands" being merely a phrase symbolic of spiritual power.
To prophesy originally meant to speak for, to interpret the inspired teachings of a god; later it signified to reveal or interpret the divine will, to utter divinely inspired declarations, and so came to include the faculty of foretelling events of great moment revealed through inspiration. This capacity of prophetic foresight, however, was counterfeited frequently by the sinister practice of sorcery and witchcraft; but when this meaning was intended, another Greek word was substituted, translated in the sixteenth chapter of Acts as "a spirit of divination."
It is significant that in this connection Paul speaks of a "sorcerer" as a pseudo-prophet, "a false prophet." Jesus uncovered and denounced this perverted mental practice when he said: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
