Romans Chapter 12 Vs. 6

 

Gifts of Grace

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Rom 12:6

gifts differing according... This refers to the spiritual gifts of 1Cor. 12:4-11, 12:27-31. They are given and to be exercised according to grace and the measures of faith (Rom. 12:3, 12:6).

whether prophecy, let... Means speaking forth and does not necessarily include prediction of the future or any other mystical or supernatural aspects. This gift is that of speaking to people to edify and exhort them (1Cor. 14:3-6).

according to the... Undeserved and unmerited. The gift itself, the specific way in which it is used, and the spiritual result are all sovereignly chosen by the Spirit completely apart from personal merit (see 1Cor. 12:5; 12:11). Literal “the faith,” or the full revealed message or body of Christian faith. The preacher must be careful to preach the same message the apostles delivered.

Or, it could also refer to the believer’s personal understanding and insight regarding the gospel.

So what exactly is this proportion of faith?

The meaning is, that the utterances of the “prophet” were not to fluctuate according to his own impulses or independent thoughts, but were to be adjusted to the truth revealed to him as a believer, i.e., were to be accordance with it. In post-Reformation times this phrase was used as meaning that all Scripture was to be interpreted with reference to all other Scripture. I.e., that no words or expressions were to be isolated or interpreted in a way contrary to its general teaching. This was also called the “analogy of faith.”

Paul then applied what he had just said (Rom. 12:3-5) to the exercise of God-given abilities for spiritual service (Rom. 12:6-8). He built on the principle, We have different gifts (cf. Rom. 12:4, “not all have the same function”; cf. 1Cor. 12:4). The grace-gifts (charismata) are according to God’s grace (charis). He listed seven gifts, none of which — with the possible exception of prophesying — is a sign gift. The Greek text is much more abrupt than any English translation; let him is supplied for smoother English. One’s “prophesying” is to be done in proportion to his faith; a better translation would be “in agreement to the (not ‘his’) faith.” That is, prophesying — communicating God’s message, to strengthen, encourage, and comfort (1Cor. 14:3) — is to be in right relationship to the body of truth already revealed (cf. “faith” as doctrine in Gal. 1:23; Jude 1:3, 1:20).