James 1:17 states,” Every good gift and every
perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with
whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” When one reads the first chapter of James, it
seems on the first reading that this verse was merely dropped into this passage
of Scripture without direct connection to the rest of what the apostle James
was teaching. To say the least, this
verse is somewhat difficult to understand in the context in which it was
written. However, as one studies this
chapter it becomes apparent that James is teaching that all good gifts emanate
from God.
One of the perplexities centers on the
apostle’s use of the words agathos dosis (18, 1394) and teleios dorema (5046,
1434) which were translated good gifts and perfect gifts in the AV. What is the significance of the apostle’s use
of the Greek words dosis and dorema? What
is the significance of good gifts and perfect gifts? Finally, what does this verse teach us about
gifts given to us from God?
Agathos dosis means a beneficial giving [of
God] and Telios dorema means a perfect bestowment [of God] in the context of
completeness. The words translated good
and perfect in the AV reflect gifts [given to us by God] that are beneficial
and complete. I believe that this
application given in the Book of James extends to Christian musicians.
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