Romans 12:4-8

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 12:3-8

12:3-8 For, through the grace that has been given to me, I say to everyone among you, not to have a mind proud beyond that which a mind should be, but to have a mind directed towards wisdom, as God has given the measure of faith to each one of you. For just as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so, although we are many, we are one body in Christ, and we are all members of each other. Since, then, we have different gifts, according to the grace... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:4

For as we have many members in one body ,.... The apostle illustrates what he said last concerning God's dealing to every man the measure of faith, by comparing the church of Christ to an human body, which is but one, and has many members in union with it, and one another; and which are placed in an exact symmetry and proportion, and in proper subserviency to each other, and for the good of the whole: and all members have not the same office , or "action"; they do not exercise the same... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:5

So we being many are one body in Christ ,.... This is the application of the above simile. The chosen of God, the redeemed of Christ, and those that are justified by his righteousness, and sanctified by his Spirit; though they are but few in comparison of the men of the world, but considered in themselves are many, and yet make up but one body, the church, of which Christ is the head: and though this general assembly; or church universal, may be distinguished into several congregational... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:6

Having then gifts, differing ,.... As in a natural body, the various members of it have not the same office, and do not perform the same actions, thus they have not the same, but different faculties; one has one faculty, another another; the eye has the faculty of seeing, the ear of hearing, &c.; thus in the spiritual body the church, as there are different members, these members have not the same work and business assigned them; some are employed one way, and some another; also they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:7

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministry ,.... The word διακονια sometimes signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministration of the Gospel; see Acts 1:17 ; but here "deaconship", or the office of ministering to the poor saints, as in Acts 6:1 , being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, exercised, and attended to with diligence, care, and constancy; for such who are appointed to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:8

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation ,.... This is the other branch of prophesying or preaching, and which is more practical, and lies in giving a word of exhortation to the saints, as their particular cases call for; for as prophets were teachers, Acts 13:1 ; so also exhorters, Acts 15:32 ; and one considerable branch of the ministry, and which is more principally the pastor's work, as well as to teach, is to exhort all sorts of persons, young and old, rich and poor, high and low, bond... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:4

For as we have many members - As the human body consists of many parts, each having its respective office, and all contributing to the perfection and support of the whole; each being indispensably necessary in the place which it occupies, and each equally useful though performing a different function; read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:5

So we, being many - We who are members of the Church of Christ, which is considered the body of which he is the head, have various offices assigned to us, according to the measure of grace, faith and religious knowledge which we possess; and although each has a different office, and qualifications suitable to that office, yet all belong to the same body; and each has as much need of the help of another as that other has of his; therefore, let there be neither pride on the one hand, nor envy... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:6

Having then gifts differing, etc. - As the goodness of God, with this view of our mutual subserviency and usefulness, has endowed us with different gifts and qualifications, let each apply himself to the diligent improvement of his particular office and talent, and modestly keep within the bounds of it, not exalting himself or despising others. Whether prophecy - That prophecy, in the New Testament, often means the gift of exhorting, preaching, or of expounding the Scriptures, is evident... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:7

Or ministry - Διακονια simply means the office of a deacon; and what this office was, see in the note on Acts 6:4 ; (note), where the subject is largely discussed. Or he that teacheth - The teacher, διδασκαλος , was a person whose office it was to instruct others, who thereby catechizing, or simply explaining the grand truths of Christianity. read more

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