Impartation is the giving of a share — transferring something of spiritual value from one person to another through God's sovereign grace. Paul uses the language of impartation in Romans 1:11: "I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you." The laying on of hands in ordination and blessing is a tangible symbol of impartation — the transfer of anointing, authority, or gifting in the Spirit's economy (1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6). Impartation is always God's gift through human instrumentality; it cannot be manufactured, purchased, or forced. The biblical pattern is mentorship and succession: Moses to Joshua, Elijah to Elisha, Paul to Timothy.
IMPART', v.t. To give, grant or communicate; to bestow on another a share or portion of something. God imparts his grace to men. "It is my desire to impart unto you some spiritual gift." (Rom 1:11) To communicate the knowledge of; to make known; to tell; to disclose. IMPARTATION, n. The act of imparting or communicating; communication; disclosure.
In charismatic and Word of Faith circles, "impartation" has become a quasi-magical concept: ministers "imparting" anointing through touch, crowd frenzy, or financial transactions — sometimes indistinguishable from the heresy Simon Magus attempted (Acts 8:18–24). The Spirit cannot be purchased, transferred on demand, or packaged as a product. True biblical impartation is: (1) God's sovereign act, not a minister's technique; (2) accomplished in the context of authentic relationship and recognized calling; (3) confirmed by transformed character, not supernatural manifestations alone. The "impartation circuit" of conference-to-conference experience-seeking is a consumer substitute for genuine spiritual formation.
Romans 1:11 — "I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you."
1 Timothy 4:14 — "Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you."
2 Timothy 1:6 — "Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands."
Numbers 27:18–20 — God commands Moses to lay hands on Joshua and impart some of his authority.
Acts 8:18–20 — Simon Magus attempts to purchase the ability to impart the Spirit — Peter rebukes him sharply.
G3330 — metadidōmi (μεταδίδωμι): to give a share of, to impart, to distribute
G5483 — charizomai (χαρίζομαι): to give freely, to grant graciously — root of charisma
H5414 — natan (נָתַן): to give, bestow, impart — used of God giving His Spirit
"Paul's desire to impart a spiritual gift to the Romans was not a boast about his power — it was the humble recognition that God works through His people to build up His church."
"The laying on of hands is not magic; it is covenant recognition — the community affirming what God has already done, and the Spirit sealing what is being commissioned."
"True impartation happens in the slow grace of discipleship — not in a single conference moment, but in years of faithful mentorship, prayer, and shared mission."