Are you striving for wealth, beauty, physical strength, and charisma to prove that you have obtained God’s grace? This article argues against the folly of chasing human power, while pointing to being established in Christ and standing firm in him.

This article's concern is a better understanding of the word "charisma" in its different contexts in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12). It argues that scholarship has not adequately appropriated the linguistic insights of James Barr, in particular his concerns to distinguish word and concept. The author warns against the influence of a popular theological understanding that "spiritual gifts" are Spirit-given abilities.