What does it mean to manifest something? What is manifesting?

To make manifest (phaneroo) is to bring to light what has been hidden hitherto. The idea of manifestation is never a transition from a state of non-existence to that of existence. You could not call the manufacture of the first locomotive, for instance, its manifestation, for the word takes for granted that the locomotive was in existence previously, but unmanifested, so that it could not be intelligently applied in this or in any initial stage.

To make manifest (phaneroo) is to bring to light what has been hidden hitherto. The idea of manifestation is never a transition from a state of non-existence to that of existence. You could not call the manufacture of the first locomotive, for instance, its manifestation, for the word takes for granted that the locomotive was in existence previously, but unmanifested, so that it could not be intelligently applied in this or such a case.

I conclude that it is the fact of His being seen, appearing as the sunshine. Christ has appeared in the world, and He will appear again, i.e., there will be a state of things in which He will not be hid, nor non-existent but to faith, but apparent. But epiphaneia (appearing) is not the act of coming forth as apokalupsis (revelation), but the state of shining forth so as to be visible. That will be true at the instant of His phanerosis (manifestation) and of His apokalupsis, but it will continue to be true after, withal.

Phaneroo. To manifest, or bring to light.

'Revelation' is rather of one who has title to appear in glory, and does so, to the confusion of those who have not owned the glory. Hence it is applied to judgment or glory. It is applied, as occasion of the general deliverance, to the saints, in Romans 8:19. It is a matter of display of something glorious. Phaneroo, brings to light, and is applied to sin. That which makes all things 'manifest' is light, for all things that can be reproved are made 'manifest' by the light; see 1 Corinthians 4:5; Luke 8:17, and Mark 4:22.

It means, as "completely revealed"; but mark, it is not there, according to the light.

It seems plain that "manifestation" is misunderstood by all who defend these speculations or deny their heterodoxy. They confound it with faith's apprehension and hence would restrict it to believers. Now its true force is simply that what existed but was hidden has come to view. Faith of course profits by it, and in some cases for testimony to others; but the manifestation is complete independently of its effects. This is true even where the object is expressed to whom the manifestation was made, as is certain from John 1:31. For our Lord was manifested to Israel; yet they, His own, received Him not. God brought Him to light for the very people that refused Him.

I would commend to the notice of my readers an article in Part XIV. of "Notes and Comments on Scripture," page 214, entitled "Appearing, Manifestation, and Presence." The value of each word is given by Mr. Darby in detail. As to appearing, he says, "This word is appearance, not revelation as coming forth from being concealed, though necessarily in nature opposed, but the fact of being seen or visible." As to manifestation, he says, "To manifest or bring to light. Manifest is in contrast with being previously hidden, though in existence, though known to be so. It is applied to us only when our life is said to be hid with Christ in God." "Phaneroo, brings to light, and is applied to sin. That which makes all things manifest is light, for all things that can be reproved are made manifest by the light." Are not our brethren confounding appearing and manifestation?

Epiphaneia. Appearing. This word is 'appearance,' not 'revelation' as coming forth from being concealed, though necessarily in nature opposed, but the fact of being seen or visible.

The verb (φανερόω) occurs often: God was manifested in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3:16; "when the Christ is manifested who is our life, then shall ye also be manifested with him in glory." Col. 3:4. Again, in 1 Peter 5:4: "when the chief Shepherd is manifested, ye shall receive the unfading crown of glory." See also 1 John 2:28, and 1 John 3:2. It is applied to the saints in Col. 3:4, where it is in contrast with their life being hidden (as now) with Christ in God; but, flowing out of the same wonderful identification with Him, when He is manifested they shall be manifested with Him in glory: thus the word has its force by contrast with the being previously hidden, though known to exist.

We have spoken already of the Spirit bestowing the gifts in a general way (verse 4). The apostle goes on to speak more fully in the seventh and the following verses of the manifestation of the Spirit: "the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." What are we to understand by "the manifestation of the Spirit"? The manifestation is the act of making the presence of the Spirit plain and patent to others. What is hidden is certainly not manifest; and the Holy Spirit Himself is here in this world in an invisible form. The Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, was manifest in flesh; He was seen of angels, as well as men. He was an object of sight and hearing to the apostles and others. He was manifest in the world; but the Holy Spirit is not incarnate, and therefore His presence and His action are concealed for the most part. The manifestation of the Spirit is through the members of the body of Christ.

The fact whether this person has a gift or that person has a gift is known only to the Spirit, except when the Spirit manifests Himself in working through this person and that for the exercise of the gift. Hence the apostle speaks here of the "manifestation of the Spirit, which is given to every man to profit withal."

Take the first example given. A certain man has the word of wisdom; there it is in his soul. It is, a power of discerning spiritual truth which he has within himself. The Spirit has given it to him. and he enjoys it himself. But so far as the rest of the assembly is concerned, they are ignorant of it, until the Holy Spirit leads that person to use the word of wisdom for the comfort and the well-being of his fellow-members. Then the action of the Holy Spirit is made manifest. When a brother stands up and gives a word of wisdom, then I say to myself, "That is of the Spirit of God That man is speaking as led of God. I know there is something in his word that I can put into practice in my life. I feel the power of the Spirit of truth behind it."