Romans 12:3-8-Part 2

A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 89 Chapter 12:3 – 8 Part 2

“Righteousness Practiced By Our Relationship To The Lord’s Church.” - Part 2

By Pastor Randy Johnson

1. Verse 6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;”
1. While we are many members and together one body (the body of Christ) we are not all the same nor are we all blessed the same. Verses 4 – 5 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (5.) So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
2. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” what ever we have (as far as gifts) they are all by Gods grace.

a. The ability to sing.

b. The ability to teach.

c. The ability to preach.

d. All gifts are from God, nothing comes naturally. Nature is like luck there is no such thing. God controls all nature as He does all things providentially.

3. “…whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;”

a. First let us properly define the word “prophecy” this word means - the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God (Vines) – This can mean anyone God uses to speak for Him, examples would be, the prophets of old, writes of the scriptures, pastors, ministers, teachers, or etc.

b. All accomplish their task by Gods grace and under Gods control.

c. Acts 15:32 “And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.”

d. This is anyone speaking with divine authority - whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future.

e. Sometime people want to abuse Gods word by misunderstanding the translation; they fail to study the words. Charismatics are the worst at this; they understand nothing about Gods truth. However God did say 1 Corinthians 14:38 “But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.”

4. “…let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;” Those that do Speak for God do it truthfully and spiritually.
1. Verse 7 “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;”

1. The reason Paul said “Or ministry” means he is continuing from verse 6, leaving the gift of service in the speaking and teaching to service. The word “ministry” here means a servant other than teaching; it could mean a deacon, Sunday school teacher, song leader, or etc. or simply a work for the church. Acts 12:25 “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.”
2. “…let us wait on our ministering…” means – he should give it his all – If one is going to do anything in the church it should be done at their best.

a. Albert Barnes said “Let us be wholly and diligently occupied in this. Let this be our great business, and let us give entire attention to it.”

b. John Gill said “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 this office, are chosen not only to a place of honour, but of service and business, in which they should behave with prudence, sobriety, and humility:”

3. “…he that teacheth, on teaching;” Since Pastors and Ministers have been mentioned already this would have to reference other sorts of teachers in the church. While the first churches did not have Sunday school I do believe they would be included in this since they are teachers in the church.

a. Teachers have always been mentioned along with the Apostles and Ministers.

b. 1 Corinthians 12:28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” – Teachers here mean – instructors – which would be recognized below a Pastor but one who does teach Gods word.

3. Verse 8 “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
1. “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation…” I believe this are the men in the church that inspires the other church members. It could be the Pastor, a teacher, or simply a member of the church. The word “exhorteth” means - to call near, that is to invoke - Acts 13:15 “And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
2. “…he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity…” This is to the Treasure of the church or the one who distributed the alms of the church. The word “simplicity” means – sincerity, generosity, or liberal. A church or her treasure should ever be greedy with God money, if there is a need then we should help.
3. “…he that ruleth, with diligence…” This could be the Pastor or it could be other men in the church, the larger the church the more rulers you would have.

a. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;”

b. It could also be one who is over certain offices like song leader, treasure, clerk, Sunday school, etc.

c. “…with diligence…” means to do it well or to be the best you can at it in the Lord.

“…he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” – this would be any who care for the needy or sick, do it with a cheerful heart.