Romans 12:7-9

 

 

Home
Site Index
Inductive Bible Study
Greek Word Studies
Commentaries by Verse
Area Precept Classes
Reference Search
Bible Dictionaries
Bible Maps & Pictures
It's Greek to Me
Bible Commentaries
Discipline Yourself
Christian Biography
Wailing Wall
Bible Prophecy

Search by Verse
Word or Phrase:

 

 

Study Tools

 
 

INDEX
PREVIOUS NEXT

 

COLLECTIONS
Commentaries, Word Studies, Devotionals, Sermons, Illustrations
Old and New Testament.

   
  

   

 

Search Every Word on Preceptaustin
PicoSearch
    Help

 

Romans 12:7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: eite diakonian en te diakonia, eite o didaskon (PAPMSN) en te didaskalia,
Amplified: [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;
 (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
NLT:  If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching.
 (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips:
If it is serving others let us concentrate on our service; if it is teaching let us give all we have to our teaching;  (Phillips: Touchstone)
Wuest:
"or serving, exercise that gift within the sphere of service, or teaching, within sphere of teaching." (Erdmans
Young's Literal: or ministration -- 'In the ministration!' or he who is teaching -- 'In the teaching!'

REFERENCES

Albert Barnes
Wayne Barber
Wayne Barber
Brian Bill
John Calvin
Alan Carr
Alan Carr
B H Carroll
Rich Cathers
Rich Cathers
Tom Constable
Bob Deffinbaugh
Bob Deffinbaugh
Bob Deffinbaugh
Theodore Epp
Theodore Epp
Bruce Goettsche
Bruce Goettsche
Bruce Goettsche
Bruce Goettsche
Bruce Goettsche
Bruce Goettsche
Bruce Goettsche
Scott Grant
Scott Grant
Dave Guzik
Richard Halverson
Matthew Henry
Daniel Hill
F B Hole
Jameison, F, B
S Lewis Johnson
S Lewis Johnson
S Lewis Johnson
William Kelly
Keith Krell
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
Middletown
William Newell
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
John Piper
Ray Pritchard
Ray Pritchard
Ray Pritchard
A T Robertson
C H Spurgeon
Claude Stauffer
Ray Stedman
Ray Stedman
Ray Stedman
Ray Stedman
Marvin Vincent
Precept Ministries
Illustrations

Romans 12
Romans 12:5-8 Our Responsibilities Under Grace - Pt4

Romans 12:1-8 Our Responsibilities Under Grace - Pt5
Romans 12
Romans 12
Romans 12:3-8 Thinking About The Body
Romans 12:9-21 Thinking About The Brethren

Romans: Studies in Romans - 9 Chapter Book
Romans 12:3-6; Romans 12:6b; Romans 12:7 Romans 12:8
Romans 12:9-13; Romans 12:13-15; Romans 12:16  Romans 12:17-21
Romans n
otes
Romans 12:3-8
Romans 12:9-13
Reasoning Through Romans
Romans 12:6-16 No Room for Envy in the Church

Romans 12:14-21 Dealing With Disagreements

Romans 12:4-8 Doing What You Can Do

Romans 12:9 Love Without Wax

Romans 12:10,11 The Look of Love

Romans 12:12,13 The Look of Love-II

Romans 12:14-16 Characteristics of a Christ-Follower

Romans 12:17-18 Doing What's Right in the Eyes of Everyone?

Romans 12:19-21 Turning Enemies into Friends
Romans 12:3-13 The Value of Each

Romans 12:14-13:7 Overcoming Evil With Good

Romans 12
Romans: Prologue to Prison - 24 Chapter Book
Romans 12
Romans Notes - Verse by Verse Notes
Romans
Romans 12
Romans 12:3-8

Romans 12:9-12

Romans 12:13-21
Romans 8 - 16
Romans 12

Romans 12:3-5 Ministry of Spiritual Gifts, Part 1
Romans 12:6-7 Ministry of Spiritual Gifts, Part 2
Romans 12:8 Ministry of Spiritual Gifts, Part 3
Romans 12:9 Brick by Brick - Duties of Practical Christianity 1

Romans 12:10-12 Brick by Brick - Duties of Practical Christianity 2

Romans 12:13 Brick by Brick - Duties of Practical Christianity 3

Romans 12:14-21 Brick by Brick - Duties of Practical Christianity 4

Romans 12
Romans 12
Romans 12:1-8 Assessing Ourselves - Pt 1
Romans 12:1-8 Assessing Ourselves - Pt 2
Romans 12:1-8 Faith: The Root and Trait of All Spiritual Gifts
Romans 12:1-8 We, Though Many, Are One Body in Christ
Romans 12:1-8  Using Our Gifts in Proportion to Our Faith, Part 1
Romans 12:1-8 Using Our Gifts in Proportion to our Faith, Part 2
Romans 12:3-8 Using Our Gifts in Proportion to Our Faith, Part 3
Romans 12:3-13  No Condemnation in Christ Jesus, One Body in Christ
Romans 12:9 Let Love Be Genuine
Romans 12:9 Abhor What Is Evil; Hold Fast to What Is Good
Romans 12:9-13 Strategic Hospitality
Romans 12:9-11 Be Strong and Fervent in Spirit
Romans 12:10  Love One Another With Brotherly Affection
Romans 12:11 Boiling for Christ
Romans 12:9-21  When Is It Right to Repay Evil With Pain?
Romans 12:11-12 The Fruit of Hope: Joy
Romans 12:12 Be Constant in Prayer for the Joy of Hope

Romans 12:12 Be Devoted to Prayer
Romans 12:12 Happy in Hope, Patient in Pain, Constant in Prayer
Romans 12:13 Lavish Giving, Loving Guests, Living Christ
Romans 12:14-21 Bless Those Who Persecute You
Romans 12:14-18 Live Peaceably with All, if Possible
Romans 12:16-20 Do Not Avenge Yourselves, But Give Place to Wrath
Romans 12:17-21 Battling the Unbelief of Bitterness
Romans 12:19-21 God's Wrath: "Vengeance Is Mine, I Will Repay"
Romans 12:19 The Present Effects of Trembling at the Wrath of God
Romans 12:20-21 Christ Overcame Evil With Good--Do the Same

Romans 12:3-8: Blueprint for a Healthy Church
Romans 12:9-16: The Agape Factor: 12 Ways to Love
Romans 12:17-21: Hot Coals: Loving Those You’d Rather Hate
Romans 12
Romans 12 Exposition
Romans 12
Romans 12:3-8: The Body at Work
Romans 12:3-8 Who Am I, Lord?
Romans 12:9-21: Authentic Christians
Romans 12:9-21 How To Hug
Romans 12
Romans 12-16: Inductive Bible Studies
Romans 12:9 Romans 12:9 12:9 12:9ff

ROMANS ROAD
to RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans
1
:18-3:20
Romans
3:21-5:21
Romans
6:1-8:39
Romans
9:1-11:36
Romans
12:1-16:27
SIN SALVATION SANCTIFICATION SOVEREIGNTY SERVICE
NEED
FOR
SALVATION
WAY
OF
SALVATION
LIFE
OF
SALVATION
SCOPE
OF
SALVATION
SERVICE
OF
SALVATION
God's Holiness
In
Condemning
Sin
God's Grace
In
Justifying
Sinners
God's Power
In
Sanctifying
Believers
God's Sovereignty
In
Saving
Jew and Gentile
Gods Glory
The
Object of
Service
Deadliness
of Sin
Design
of Grace
Demonstration of Salvation
Power Given Promises Fulfilled Paths Pursued
Righteousness
Needed
Righteousness
Credited
Righteousness
Demonstrated
Righteousness
Restored to Israel
Righteousness
Applied
God's Righteousness
IN LAW
God's Righteousness
IMPUTED
God's Righteousness
OBEYED
God's Righteousness
IN ELECTION
God's Righteousness
DISPLAYED
Slaves to Sin Slaves to God Slaves Serving God
Doctrine Duty
Life by Faith Service by Faith

Modified from Irving L. Jensen's excellent work "Jensen's Survey of the NT"


Related Resources
:

Simple Summary Chart on Spiritual Gifts

ISBE Article on Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual Gifts are discussed in

Ro 12:6-note, Ro 12:7-note, Ro 12:8-note,

Ep 4:11- note, Ep 4:12-note, Ep 4:13-note, Ep 4:14-note, 1Pe 4:10-note, 1Pe 4:11-note

1Co 12:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14ff,

Miscellaneous Messages

The Perfect Church by Robert Morgan

Messages by Steven Cole (all in Pdf)

Ephesians 4:7-10 Christ's Purpose for His Church

Saved to Serve

Serving the Savior

Messages by S Lewis Johnson

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 The Issue of Spiritual Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Unity and Variety of the Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 The Church -- Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Exercise of Gifts in the Body

Messages by John Piper (see other sermons under References)

1 Corinthians 12:1 Spiritual Gifts

Romans 12:1-8 Using Our Gifts in Proportion to Our Faith, Part 1

Romans 12:1-8 Using Our Gifts in Proportion to our Faith, Part 2

Romans 12:3-8 Using Our Gifts in Proportion to Our Faith, Part 3

Messages by John MacArthur

Romans 12:3-5 Ministry of Spiritual Gifts, Part 1

Romans 12:6-7 Ministry of Spiritual Gifts, Part 2

Romans 12:8 Ministry of Spiritual Gifts, Part 3

The Importance of Spiritual Gifts

The Source of Spiritual Gifts

How Do Spiritual Gifts Operate?

1Corinthians 12:1 Concerning Spiritual Gifts, Part 1

1Corinthians 12:2-3 Concerning Spiritual Gifts, Part 2

1Corinthians 12:4-7, 11 Concerning Spiritual Gifts, Part 3

1Corinthians 12:8-10 Permanent Edifying Gifts, Part 1

1Corinthians 12:8-10 The Permanent Edifying Gifts, Part 2

1Corinthians 12:9-10 The Permanent Edifying Gifts, Part 3

1Corinthians 12:1-11 The Gifts of the Body, Part 1

1Corinthians 12 & Romans 12 The Gifts of the Body, Part 2

Selected Scriptures: The Gifts of the Body, Part 3

1Corinthians 12:12-27 The Body of Christ

1Corinthians 12:12-13 Spirit Baptism

1Corinthians 12:12-14, 18, 24 One Body, Many Gifts, Part 1

1Corinthians 12:15-31 One Body, Many Gifts, Part 2

1Corinthians 12:12-27 The Body of Christ

1Corinthians 12:28 The Gifted Men, Part 1: Apostles and Prophets

1Corinthians 12:28 The Gifted Men, Part 2: Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers

1Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30 The Temporary Sign Gifts, Part 2

1Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30 The Temporary Sign Gifts, Part 3

Multiple articles on Spiritual Gifts (K. Boa, B. Deffinbaugh, J. Walvoord)

Bible.org articles on Spiritual Gifts

Wayne Barber sermon series (discussion of spiritual gifts)
 

Romans 12:1    Our Responsibilities Under Grace - Pt 1
Romans 12:2    Our Responsibilities Under Grace - Pt 2
Romans 12:3-5 Our Responsibilities Under Grace - Pt 3
Romans 12:5-8 Our Responsibilities Under Grace - Pt 4
Romans 12:1-8 Our Responsibilities Under Grace - Pt 5


Ron Ritchie
(series on Spiritual Gifts)
 

Good Stewards Of God's Spiritual Gifts 1 Peter 4: 1-10

The Benefits Of Spiritual Gifts Romans 12: 1-8

The Joy Of Spiritual Growth Ephesians 4: 7-13

The Proper Use Of Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 12: 1-30

Expressing Our Spiritual Gifts With Love 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Order Out Of Chaos 1 Corinthians 14

Ron R. Ritchie's List of the Spiritual Gifts

Ray Stedman from his book "Body Life"

All God's Children Have Spiritual Gifts

Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gift
According to the Power

How the Body Works (spiritual gifts)

Ray Stedman - other messages on Spiritual Gifts

Romans 12:3-8: The Body at Work
Romans 12:3-8 Who Am I, Lord?

IF SERVICE, IN HIS SERVING: eite diakonian en te diakonia: (Isaiah 21:8; Ezekiel 3:17, 18, 19, 20, 21; 33:7, 8, 9; Matthew 24:45, 46, 47; Luke 12:42, 4344; Acts 20:20,28; Colossians 4:17; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 5:1, 2, 3, 4)

Service (1248) (diakonia)  (Click study of diakonia) which refers to menial & mundane activities, such as waiting on tables (related word "diakoneo" Acts 6:2) or caring for household needs—activities without apparent dignity in man's eyes but not in God's eyes!

Since such service necessarily involved dependence, submission, and constraints of time and freedom, the Greeks regarded diakonia as degrading and dishonorable which was in marked contrast to Paul's attitude & frequent use of this term to describe his ministry (cf Ro 11:13;15:31; 2Co 4:1;5:18; 6:3; 1Ti 1:12). The person who has the gift of service has a servant-heart.

If service in his serving - The point is that one should stay within the sphere of their spiritual gift -- continuously serving (present tense) in the sphere of your gift of serving.
           
Ray Stedman says that the gift of "
service" is

the ability to see things that need to be done & do them" and he goes on to give this example "I thank God for those who have the gift of service here in this church. We have one man...who, whenever an announcement is made that something needs to be done, is always there on the spot. It doesn't make any difference whether anybody else shows up or not -- he is there & he gets something done. And, may I say, that is one of the most effective and powerful testimonies for Christ in this church. The person concerned may not be able to preach a sermon (I am sure that he would feel that he couldn't), but his life is a continual testimony to the reality of Christ living in him. He is one of the most effective ministers for Christ in this whole church." What a testimony to the glory of God. (The Body at Work)

Wayne Barber adds that diakonia describes

a person who has the heart of serving and it doesn’t matter how much credit he gets for it. The word "deacon" (diakonos) means minister, but the root of all ministry is servanthood and willingness to do whatever it takes, especially according to the gifts that God has given to you. So a person who is a faithful servant is a person you can trust, a person you can put your confidence in, a person who doesn’t mind not getting any recognition & doesn’t mind rolling up their sleeves so that the greater work of getting the Word out, the greater work of the prevailing ministry of the Word might take place. I didn’t set this up....I love the people who are willing to come alongside and be selfless and willing to do whatever is necessary so that God’s work might take place.

Wuest has this informative note (specifically commenting on the preceding preposition "en" = "in"):

The word “ministry” is in the locative of sphere. The exhortation is that the one who renders service should render service in the realm or sphere in which God placed him and for which He gave him that gift. Moule says of this word, “Almost any work other than that of inspired utterance or miracle-working may be included in it here.” Godet says; “An activity of the practical nature exerted in action, not in word.” As to teaching, it is aimed at the understanding, with reference to exhortation, at the heart and will (Vincent). Both words are in the locative of sphere, the idea being that the one who is given a teaching gift should remain within the exercise of that gift, and the one who has been given the gift of exhortation, within the exercise of that gift. It is a wise man who stays within the sphere of service for which God the Holy Spirit has fitted him, and does not invade some other field of service for which he is not fitted. (Wuest's Word Studies) (Bolding added)

Isn't it fascinating that the Spirit inspired Paul to place "diakonos" right in the middle of the somewhat more "showy" gifts of "prophecy" and "teaching"!  How difficult and dysfunctional it would be to exercise the gifts of prophecy and teaching without the assistance of those members of the body who faithfully "wait on the tables" so to speak.

OR HE WHO TEACHES, IN HIS TEACHING: eite o didaskon (PAPMSN) en te didaskalia:  (Deuteronomy 33:10; 1 Samuel 12:23; Psalms 34:11; 51:13; Ecclesiastes 12:9; Matthew 28:19; John 3:2; Acts 13:1; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:11; Colossians 1:28,29; 1 Timothy 2:7; 3:2; 5:17; 2 Timothy 2:2,24)

Teaches (1321) (didasko from dáo= know or teach; English = didactic; see study of related noun didaskalia and the adjective didaktikos) means to provide instruction or information in a formal or informal setting. In the 97 NT uses of didasko the meaning is virtually always to teach or instruct, although the purpose and content of the teaching must be determined from the context.

John MacArthur writes that didasko

refers to the passing on of information-often, but not necessarily, in a formal setting. It focused on content, with the purpose of discovering the truth-contrary to the forums so popular among Greeks, where discussion and the bantering about of various ideas and opinions was the primary concern (see Acts 17:21). Synagogue teaching, as illustrated by that of Jesus, was basically expository. Scripture was read and explained section by section, often verse by verse. (MacArthur, J: Matthew 1-7 Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

In another source MacArthur writes that didasko (and related words)

In all the various forms, the root meaning carries with it the idea of systematic teaching or systematic training. It is the word that is used to refer to a choir director who trains a choir over a long period of rehearsals until they are able to perform. The gift of prophecy could be a one-time proclamation of Christ, but the gift of teaching is a systematic training problem to take a person from one point to another. What is the curriculum for the teacher? The Bible, the Word of God. The gift is to teach systematically the truth of God.

It can be used with men—one on one, one on two, one on three, one on five thousand. It can be used with women—one on one, one on two, one on three, one on five thousand. It can be used by a lady in a little group of children. It can be used by a mother to a son. It can be used by a husband to his wife. It can be used in any conceivable way that the Spirit of God desires. It is the ability to pass on truth in a systematic progression so that someone receives it, implements it, and a change of behavior takes place. In fact, it is a gift that belongs to a lot more of us than we realize. (MacArthur, J. Spiritual Gifts. Includes index. Chicago: Moody Press)

In Scripture to teach means to pass on the truth about the Word of God, the God of the Word and the faith of the saints, with the goal of influencing the understanding and stimulating obedience to the truth taught and resultant Spirit energized transformation and Christ-likeness. The essence of a disciple in fact is that he or she is a learner. The teacher teaches and the disciple hears and processes what is heard so that this truth affects his or her innermost being. Ultimately the purpose of didasko is to shape the will of the one taught.

Didasko means to teach a student in such a way that the will of the student becomes conformed to the teaching (doctrine or precepts) taught  Teaching that Scripture finds significant is not that which just conveys information but teaching that produces transformation ("be transformed" - see notes on Romans 12:2) and reproduction of disciples who "walk (Live) in a manner worthy of the Lord." (Col 1:10-note). Note that just because someone is placed in a position of teaching does not necessarily mean that person has the gift of teaching. Not only is that person frustrated and they are not efficiently building up the body of Christ (Eph 4:12-note).
             
Kent Hughes comments that

Teaching differs from prophecy in that it instructs the mind, whereas prophecy is addressed more to the heart and will. Teaching is more concerned with knowledge, prophecy with revelation. The teacher is to apply his all to the task.

Dr. Barnhouse asks some piercing questions of those who have the gift of teaching:

Have I listened to His voice? Have I laid my own reason in the dust before Him in order to take it again, enlightened by Him, for use in my work? Have I been spiritually alert and dependent upon the Holy Spirit? Have I gone again and again to the Word of God to refresh my own soul before speaking to others? Have I tried to live what I preach? Have I acknowledged my sins when the Lord showed them to me, and repented of them? Have I recognized moment by moment my utter dependence upon the Lord? Have I been lazy? Have I been diligent? Have I insulted the Lord by feeding His sheep with ill-prepared food?" These questions should cause all teachers (and all of us no matter what our gift is) to "think soberly" about the use of their gift.

         

Romans 12:8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.  (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: eite o parakalon (PAPMSN) en te paraklesei: o metadidous (PAPMSN) en aploteti, o proistamenos (PMPMSN) en spoude, o eleon (PAPMSN) en hilaroteti.
Amplified: He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.
 (Amplified Bible - Lockman)