δωρεά (dōrea)
dōrea
free gift
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun dōrea refers to a free gift, emphasizing that it is given without cost or obligation to the receiver. In the New Testament, this word appears in key passages about grace and spiritual blessings, such as Romans 5:15, where Paul contrasts the trespass of Adam with the "free gift" of grace, and Acts 2:38, where Peter promises the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Its meaning is closely tied to its root, didōmi (to give), but it carries a stronger sense of unmerited favor than a simple present. The sources highlight that this gift can be divine in origin, as when Jesus speaks of the "gift of God" in John 4:10, or ecclesial, like the "gift of Christ" mentioned in Ephesians 4:7. It is not earned but bestowed.
Interestingly, the adverbial form dōrean appears frequently in the Septuagint and New Testament to mean "freely" or "without payment," as seen in Matthew 10:8 where Jesus commands his disciples to give freely because they received freely. This usage reinforces the core theme of generosity without expectation of return, a central motif in Christian teaching on grace.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word δωρεὸν (dōrea) reminds us that the most important things in life are never purchased. It describes a gift given freely, without any cost to the receiver. In Romans 5:15, Paul uses this term to contrast Adam’s mistake with God’s generous grace. While sin brought death, God offered a free gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ. This means our standing before God does not depend on our performance but on His unmerited favor.
Acts 2:38 shows Peter promising the Holy Spirit as this same kind of gift. It is not something we earn by money or effort, as Peter sharply corrects Simon in Acts 8:20. Instead, it is received through faith and repentance. This truth brings deep relief because it removes the burden of trying to buy our way into God’s love.
When we feel inadequate, this word invites us to simply receive what Christ has already provided. The unspeakable gift in 2 Corinthians 9:15 points to a joy that surpasses understanding. May you rest in the assurance that God’s gifts are always free and always sufficient for your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- gift10×
- gift!1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δωρεὰν5×
- δωρεᾶς3×
- δωρεὰ2×
- δωρεᾷ.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 5:15
But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
Paul uses this term to highlight the contrast between the consequences of sin and the unearned nature of God's grace through Christ.
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Acts 2:38
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Peter identifies the Holy Spirit as a free gift received upon repentance, emphasizing that it is bestowed by God rather than earned.
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Acts 8:20
But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Peter rebukes Simon for thinking this divine gift could be bought with money, clarifying that spiritual blessings cannot be purchased.
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II Corinthians 9:15
Now thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!
Paul concludes his teaching on generosity by thanking God for the unspeakable gift, likely referring to Christ Himself or salvation.