Hebrew Bible and New Testament
The source of the enumeration of "seven" gifts is often given as Isaiah 11:23.[5] The term "Holy Spirit" does not appear, but the "Spirit of the Lord." In the Hebrew St. Petersburg Codex text only three spirits with two characteristics each, totalling six, are mentioned, and fear is mentioned twice in a concluding comment.[6]
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of a Lord will rest on him the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
Later Christian usage conforms to the Latin Vulgate, which takes the list from the Septuagint. In the Septuagint the first "spirit of. fear of the Lord" is "spirit of. godliness" ( .) the second "fear of the Lord" is fear of the Lord ( ).[7]
1 Et egredietur virga de radice Jesse, et flos de radice ejus ascendet. 2 Et requiescet super eum spiritus Domini: spiritus sapienti et , spiritus consilii et fortitudinis, spiritus scienti et pietatis; 3 et replebit eum spiritus timoris Domini.
The seven Latin terms are then:In Medieval Christianity Michael Griffin Titans Jersey
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is one of several works in medieval Christian devotional literature which follow a scheme of seven.[8] Others include the seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer, the seven virtues, the seven last words from the cross.[9] Related are the seven deadly sins.
The seven gifts were often represented as doves in medieval texts and especially figure in depictions of the Tree of Jesse which shows the Genealogy of Jesus. In many such depictions the doves encircle a bust of Christ. teaches that initiates receive these seven gifts at Baptism, and that they are strengthened at Confirmation, so that one can proclaim the truths of the faith: Authentic Craig Stevens Jersey
"The reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace."[88] For "by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed."[89] (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1285)
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Understanding: In understanding, we comprehend how we need to live as followers of Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live. The gift of understanding perfects a person's speculative reason in the apprehension of truth. It is the gift whereby selfevident principles are known, Aquinas writes.
Counsel (Right Judgment): With the gift of counsel/right judgment, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Jesus.
Fortitude (Courage): With the gift of fortitude/courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risks as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or physical harm. The gift of courage allows people the firmness of mind that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil.
Knowledge: With the gift of knowledge, we understand the meaning of God. The gift of knowledge is more than an accumulation of facts.
Piety (Reverence): With the gift of reverence, sometimes called piety, we have a deep sense of respect for God and the Church. A person with reverence recognizes our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. Piety is the gift whereby, at the Holy Spirit's instigation, we pay worship and duty to God as our Father, Aquinas writes.
Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe): With the gift of fear of the Lord we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. This gift is described by Aquinas as a fear of separating oneself from God. He describes the gift as a "filial fear," like a child's fear of offending his father, rather than a "servile fear," that is, a fear of punishment. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7) because it puts our mindset in correct location with respect to God: we are the finite, dependent creatures, and He is the infinite, allpowerful Creator.
Wisdom: It is the capacity to love spiritual things more than material ones.
Relation to the Virtues
St. Thomas Aquinas says that four of these gifts (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and counsel) direct the intellect, while the other three gifts (fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord) direct the will toward God.