gift
Charisma denotes a bestowed endowment, especially varied capacities for service, and in Romans God's life-giving grant.
The dominant use presents bestowed endowments as varied capacities within the assembly and for service; other verses speak of an endowment given to a particular recipient, while Romans contrasts God's grant with sin, condemnation, and death.
Senses in use
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Varied capacities for assembly and service · dominant
Plural forms occur in lists and comparisons of differing endowments. In 1 Corinthians 12:4 the APB renders “varieties of gifts,” and 1 Corinthians 12:28 and 1 Corinthians 12:30 place them among healings, helps, administrations, and tongues; Romans 12:6 likewise renders differing endowments alongside prophecy.
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An endowment given to a recipient · common
Singular forms refer to an endowment possessed, received, imparted, or cultivated by a particular recipient. In 1 Peter 4:10 the APB renders a clause in which each recipient has received one and is to use it in serving others; in 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6 it is described as being in the recipient and not to be neglected or allowed to lie inactive.
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God's grant contrasted with sin and death · occasional
In Romans 5:15 and Romans 5:16, the singular form stands in a contrast between God's grant and the trespass, judgment, and condemnation described in the clauses. Romans 6:23 sets God's grant over against sin's wages of death and identifies eternal life in Christ Jesus as the verse's outcome; Romans 11:29 joins plural forms with God's calling.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term with “gift” or “gifts,” including “gifts of healings” and “free gift” in particular contexts. These renderings confirm the clauses' overall presentation rather than establish a separate English equivalent in every verse.