Strong’s Greek 1434, δώρημα, denotes a gift freely bestowed. In the New Testament it appears in Romans 5:16 and James 1:17. Though succinct in usage, the term anchors major doctrines: the unmerited nature of salvation in Christ and the impeccable beneficence of God toward His children.

Occurrences in Scripture

• Romans 5:16 – “The gift is not like the result that came through the one who sinned. For the judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.”
• James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

Context and Exegesis

Romans 5:16 contrasts Adam’s trespass with the abundance of divine generosity. The “gift” stands for the justifying work accomplished through Jesus Christ, presented entirely apart from human merit. Paul underlines two disparities: source (Adam versus Christ) and outcome (condemnation versus justification). The singular δώρημα magnifies the sufficiency of Christ’s obedience amid “many trespasses,” emphasizing both the scope of sin and the greater scope of grace.

James 1:17 locates δώρημα in a pastoral, ethical setting. James combats the notion that God could be the author of temptation (James 1:13). By asserting that every flawless gift comes from above, he reaffirms the immutable goodness of God. The present participle “coming down” portrays an ongoing cascade of divine generosity, aligning the Father’s unchanging character with His unceasing provision.

Historical Background

In the Greco-Roman world, gifts (δώρα) were instruments of patronage. Reciprocity was expected; favors required return favors. The New Testament writers leverage δώρημα in deliberate contrast: God’s gift operates without indebtedness from the recipient. The term thereby subverts cultural norms, highlighting the counter-cultural grace of the gospel.

Theological Significance

1. Soteriology – Romans situates δώρημα at the heart of justification by faith alone. The believer’s right standing is a divine donation, not a negotiated exchange (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).
2. Divine Character – James grounds Christian perseverance in God’s immutable goodness. His gifts do not vary, securing confidence in trials (Numbers 23:19; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8).
3. Common Grace and Special Grace – While James embraces every “good” gift (rain, harvest, talents, relationships), Paul zeroes in on the singular redemptive gift. Together they affirm both universal benevolence and redemptive specificity.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Gospel Proclamation – Present salvation as a gift, not a wage. Evangelism must guard against smuggling human effort into justification.
• Pastoral Care – Direct doubting believers to the Father of lights. God’s constancy undergirds assurance amid shifting circumstances.
• Stewardship – Recognizing life’s blessings as divine gifts engenders gratitude and generosity (2 Corinthians 9:15; 1 Peter 4:10).
• Worship – Romans and James call the church to celebrate grace in song, sacrament, and testimony, orienting praise toward the Giver rather than the gift.

Related Biblical Themes

• Grace (χάρις) – The medium through which the δώρημα is delivered (Romans 5:15).
• Justification – Legal declaration arising from the gift (Romans 5:1).
• Immutability – God’s unchanging nature, safeguarding the reliability of His gifts (James 1:17; Hebrews 6:17-18).
• Light Motif – The “Father of lights” recalls creation (Genesis 1) and Christ’s self-disclosure (John 8:12), associating divine gifting with illumination and life.

Inter-Canonical Echoes

Old Testament precedents prepare for δώρημα. Isaiah 55:1 invites the thirsty to receive “without money and without cost,” foreshadowing Romans 5. Proverbs 4:18, describing the path of the righteous as “shining ever brighter,” anticipates the imagery of the Father of lights in James.

Summary

Strong’s 1434 crystallizes the message that God is both gracious Giver and steadfast Father. Whether in Paul’s forensic argument or in James’s pastoral admonition, δώρημα proclaims a gospel in which condemnation is eclipsed by justification and divine generosity eclipses human fluctuation.