What Lies Beneath (3)

he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.  Romans 12:8  NASB

He who gives – Ho metadidous (translated as “the (one) giving” in Romans 12:8) is a construction of two Greek words – meta (with) and didomi (to give), a combination that emphasizes providing and distributing to another person.  This individual finds fulfillment in roles where he is responsible to provide, to make available and to give resources to others.  The heartbeat of this person is in tune with controlling and coordinating assets for the benefit of another.

Didomi is the common Greek word translated “give.”  Doreomai, also translated “give” or “grant,” focuses attention on the character of the giver rather than the gift while didomi places emphasis on the object or service rendered.  Didomi is used in a wide variety of contexts and covers an umbrella of circumstances from the common action of delivering something of benefit to another to rendering honor in response to something bestowed.  It can cover both material and spiritual items and is used of homage, labor, attention, sacrifice, possessions, reward, recompense and even ordinances.

We see just how broad this umbrella of application is when we look at the combined Greek word, apodidomi.  The meaning, “to give or do something which one should in fulfillment of an obligation or expectation”[1] is extended to the Christian doctrine of retribution when God exercises judgment and reward.  It is the expectation of consequences that drives the message of the Christian gospel.  Outside of its theological context, however, we can see that didomi is fundamental to the thought of expected return and an essential part of all human endeavor.  The application to the world of work is obvious.

When Paul combines didomi with meta, he moves the umbrella of meaning into the realm of personal relationships.  The addition of meta filters this general act of giving so that it is focused on imparting, giving, communicating or otherwise making available some benefit (whether material or otherwise) to someone else.  This individual is not sequestered, cranking out instruction manuals or training packages.  He or she is fully engaged in the midst of a community, empowering others to fulfill their roles by providing tangible benefits and resources.  This is a hands-on provider, capable of discovering, marshalling and delivering what is needed to allow others to perform.

The use of meta with the root didomi is actually very rare.  It appears only twice in the Septuagint, in Proverbs 11:26 and Job 31:17.  There is one additional occurrence in the deuterocanonical literature, The Wisdom of Solomon, chapter 7 verse 13.  The occurrences in Proverbs and Job are translations of the Hebrew terms savar (to buy, to sell) and ‘akal (to devour, to consume, to eat).  With a little reflection, we can see why the sages used forms of metadidomi to expresses these Hebrew words.  Clearly, the Hebraic action associated with metadidomi involves life’s basic functions.  Eating is essential to life and in the human context, eating is often the result of some economic enterprise.  The communal nature of those who provide resources to others facilitates the life of all.  Whether one is involved in an agrarian society or an advanced technological culture, the process of providing a means of living is a truly human activity.  These are individuals who are at their very best in maximizing life’s essential resources.

Did you think Paul’s description of this person was intended to fit every Christian?  Think again.  God has equipped some people (not necessarily Christians) to fulfill these tasks with gusto, courage and extraordinary aplomb.  If you are one of these fortunate few, then you are never really satisfied until everything you touch is working perfectly and every resource under your control is maximized.  In the Kingdom, this means being attuned to God’s design and executing it.  Outside the Kingdom, this often leads to conflicts because it is easy to lose the perspective that benefiting others is the true goal.

Now that we have this much clearly in mind, we will need to see what Paul does with that little added expression, “with liberality.”

Topical Index:  metadidomi, he who gives, Romans 12:8, Zone 5