Gift Isn't Free

Many say that salvation is a free gift, but the word gift doesn't mean free. It was added by translators. It is an incorrect addition in Romans. The word free isn't in the manuscript. In all other cases the word is simply translated gift. I guess faith only translators wanted to make sure we knew we didn't pay money for it. In Luther's time the Catholics had required payment of money for absolution. Charging money for salvation is an evil and reckless endeavor.

Yet, we need to translate accurately and without additions.

Rom 5:15  ButG235 notG3756 asG5613 theG3588 offence,G3900 soG3779 alsoG2532 is theG3588 free gift.G5486 ForG1063 ifG1487 through theG3588 offenceG3900 of oneG1520 manyG4183 be dead,G599 muchG4183 moreG3123 theG3588 graceG5485 of God,G2316 andG2532 theG3588 giftG1431 byG1722 grace,G5485 which(G3588) is by oneG1520 man,G444 JesusG2424 Christ,G5547 hath aboundedG4052 untoG1519 many.G4183 

Rom 5:16  AndG2532 notG3756 asG5613 it was byG1223 oneG1520 that sinned,G264 so is theG3588 gift:G1434 forG1063 theG3588 (G3303) judgmentG2917 was byG1537 oneG1520 toG1519 condemnation,G2631 butG1161 theG3588 free giftG5486 is ofG1537 manyG4183 offencesG3900 untoG1519 justification.G1345 

This sort of cheapens the idea of the gift because no gift is ever free. The giver had to pay. Jesus had to pay with his suffering and death to redeem us. So, someone always pays. We should never think of it as free.

The word gift or gifts is often used when giving money from one party to another. In the givers view it cost them the price of the gift. Though it is gladly given it isn't free. The giver had no legal obligation to give it but gave it anyway.

2Co 1:11  YeG5216 alsoG2532 helping togetherG4943 by prayerG1162 forG5228 us,G2257 thatG2443 for the giftG5486 bestowed uponG1519 usG2248 by the means ofG1537 manyG4183 personsG4383 thanks may be givenG2168 byG1223 manyG4183 on our behalf.G5228 G2257 

"By the means of many persons"

It comes out of someone's means. This could be by prayer and not always money, deliverance by prayer requires time spent going to the Father. It can even be by suffering and death.

We should never cheapen gifts by forgetting that someone gave or helped in bringing the gift to pass. The word "Free", though true for the receiver in monetary terms, is never free for the giver. and hijacking scriptures to make a point is never a good idea. That point you make could lead to forgetting the main point. Jesus paid and the Father gratuitously gives every day.

Romans doesn't just want us to realize we didn't pay, but is forefront in letting us know how much Jesus paid.

Rom 5:15  ButG235 notG3756 asG5613 theG3588 offence,G3900 soG3779 alsoG2532 is theG3588 free gift.G5486 ForG1063 ifG1487 through theG3588 offenceG3900 of oneG1520 manyG4183 be dead,G599 muchG4183 moreG3123 theG3588 graceG5485 of God,G2316 andG2532 theG3588 giftG1431 byG1722 grace,G5485 which(G3588) is by oneG1520 man,G444 JesusG2424 Christ,G5547 hath aboundedG4052 untoG1519 many.G4183 

Also realize, as a Christian there are times we must give our resources in helping others, by calling it free we may give the impression we never have an obligation to give ourselves, that is a false Gospel.

G5486

χάρισμα

charisma

Total KJV Occurrences: 19

gift, 10

Rom_1:11, Rom_5:15-16 (2), Rom_6:23, 1Co_7:7 (2), 2Co_1:11, 1Ti_4:14, 2Ti_1:6, 1Pe_4:10

gifts, 7

Rom_11:29, Rom_12:6, 1Co_12:4, 1Co_12:9, 1Co_12:28, 1Co_12:30-31 (2)

free, 2

Rom_5:15-16 (2)