Original Word: δόσις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: dosis
Pronunciation: DOH-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (dos'-is)
KJV: gift, giving
NASB: giving, thing given
Word Origin: [from the base of G1325 (δίδωμι - give)]

1. a giving
2. (by implication, concretely) a gift

gift, giving.

From the base of didomi; a giving; by implication, (concretely) a gift -- gift, giving.

see GREEK didomi

1394 dósis (from 1325 /dídōmi, "give") – gift, emphasizing the intention (aim) that motivates the giving and the chain-reaction of giving-and-responding.

Word Origin
from didómi
Definition
the act of giving, a gift
NASB Translation
giving (1), thing given (1).

STRONGS NT 1394: δόσις

δόσις, δόσεως, ἡ (δίδωμι);

1. a giving (from Herodotus down): λόγος δόσεως καί λήψεως, an account of giving and receiving (i. e. debit and credit accounts; cf. λόγος II. 3), Philippians 4:15; here Paul, by a pleasant euphemism, refers to the pecuniary gifts, which the church bestowing them enters in the account of expenses, but he himself in the account of receipts; cf. Van Hengel at the passage; so δόσις καί λῆψις, of money given and received, Sir. 41:19 Sir. 42:7; (Hermas, mand. 5, 2, 2 [ET]), and plural Epictetus diss. 2, 9, 12.

2. a gift, (from Homer down): James 1:17. (Synonym: see δόμα, at the end.)

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. Philippians 4:15 – Paul thanks the Philippian believers for partnering with him “in the matter of giving and receiving,” the single term highlighting the active, ongoing nature of their generosity.
2. James 1:17 – James affirms that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow”. Here the word describes the character of God’s continual bestowal of blessings.

Divine Giving: The Character of God

In James 1:17 the word underscores God as the perpetual Source of all that is truly good. The verse places divine beneficence alongside divine immutability: the same One who created the “heavenly lights” reliably supplies each good provision. This linkage of gift-giving with God’s unchanging nature teaches that His generosity is not sporadic or capricious but rooted in His very being (compare Malachi 3:6; Romans 11:29). Consequently, believers may approach Him with confidence, assured that His gifts are both morally good and perfectly suited to their needs (Matthew 7:11).

Human Giving: Partnership in the Gospel

Philippians 4:15 shows the same term applied to the church’s material support of apostolic mission. Paul recalls that no other congregation entered into such mutual accounting except the Philippians. Their giving demonstrated:
• Faithful remembrance—They responded “in the early days of the gospel,” not waiting for mature status before engaging.
• Mutuality—The phrase “giving and receiving” presents giving as investment rather than loss; the spiritual returns are shared by giver and receiver alike (Philippians 4:17).
• Ongoing commitment—Their support continued even while Paul ministered in Thessalonica and elsewhere (Philippians 4:16), modeling sustained partnership rather than one-time charity.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The theology of gift pervades Scripture. The sacrificial system highlighted God-given provisions returned to Him (Leviticus 2:1-3). Wisdom literature celebrates divine generosity: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). Prophetic hope anticipates the ultimate outpouring of blessing (Joel 2:28-29). The New Testament term gathers these strands, pointing to fulfillment in Christ and in Spirit-enabled fellowship.

Christological Fulfillment

Jesus Christ embodies the Father’s supreme giving. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,” and Romans 8:32 reasons that the God who did not spare His Son “will also, along with Him, graciously give us all things.” Thus the gifts mentioned in James find their climax in the incarnate, crucified, and risen Lord. In Him believers receive “grace upon grace” (John 1:16) and the Spirit as the promised gift (Acts 2:38).

Ecclesiological Implications

The early churches understood financial support as an expression of spiritual unity. Paul’s collection for the saints in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8–9) demonstrates that material gifts strengthen the bonds among diverse congregations and testify to the gospel’s power to create one family. The same principle governs missionary partnership today: local assemblies, missionary agencies, and servants of the Word share in a reciprocal flow of resources and spiritual fruit.

Ministry Application

1. Stewardship Teaching – Leaders should emphasize that all resources originate from the Father; giving is a response to grace, not a means to earn favor.
2. Transparency and Accountability – Paul kept a “matter of giving and receiving” record; modern ministries likewise honor God through ethical handling of funds.
3. Joyful Participation – Following the Philippians’ example, believers find joy in meeting gospel needs. Such giving is “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).
4. Assurance of Provision – James 1:17 assures servants that God’s storehouse never empties; therefore, ministries may trust Him while exercising wise planning.

Personal Discipleship

Recognizing every good gift as from above cultivates gratitude, combats envy, and fosters contentment (1 Timothy 6:6-8). It also encourages believers to become conduits, not cul-de-sacs, of blessing (Acts 20:35). Regular reflection on both occurrences of the term—God’s giving to us and our giving for the gospel—keeps Christian life balanced between receiving grace and extending it.

Summary

The New Testament employs this word sparingly yet profoundly: once to depict the flawless generosity of the Father, once to commend the faithful generosity of His children. Together they form a theology of gift that moves from heaven to earth and back again, energizing worship, fellowship, and mission.

δόσει δοσεως δόσεως δόσιν δοσις δόσις doseos doseōs dóseos dóseōs dosis dósisInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts