Romans 12:6-8

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 12:6

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 12:6

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:8

Or he that exhorteth - Ὁ παρακαλων , The person who admonished and reprehended the unruly or disorderly; and who supported the weak and comforted the penitents, and those who were under heaviness through manifold temptations. He that giveth - He who distributeth the alms of the Church, with simplicity - being influenced by no partiality, but dividing to each according to the necessity of his case. He that ruleth - Ὁ προΐσταμενος , He that presides over a particular business;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:6

Verse 6 6.Having gifts, etc. Paul speaks not now simply of cherishing among ourselves brotherly love, but commends humility, which is the best moderator of our whole life. Every one desires to have so much himself, so as not to need any help from others; but the bond of mutual communication is this, that no one has sufficient for himself, but is constrained to borrow from others. I admit, then that the society of the godly cannot exist, except when each one is content with his own measure, and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:8

Verse 8 8.Or he who gives, let him do so in simplicity, etc. From the former clauses we have clearly seen, that he teaches us here the legitimate use of God’s gifts. By the μεταδιδούντοις, the givers, of whom he speaks here, he did not understand those who gave of their own property, but the deacons, who presided in dispensing the public charities of the Church; and by the ἐλούντοις, those who showed mercy, he meant the widows, and other ministers, who were appointed to take care of the sick,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:3-8

Diversity and unity in the Church of Christ. The subject of union among the various branches of the Church of Christ is one to which much attention has of late years been turned. The efforts of the Evangelical Alliance have been largely directed to secure a more brotherly relationship and more hearty co-operation between the different denominations of Christians. Some Christians desire an organic union of all sections of the Church, but the passage before us indicates that there may be... read more

Group of Brands