Romans Chapter 12 Vs. 8

 

Gifts of Grace

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. Rom 12:8

he that exhorteth... Greek: parakaleo, to call aside; make an appeal to by way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, or instruction (Acts 4:36; Heb. 10:25). Is the gift which enables a believer to effectively call others to obey and follow God’s truth. It may be used negatively to admonish and correct regarding sin, or positively to encourage, comfort and strengthen struggling believers.

he that giveth... This refers to the rich that give help to others (2Cor. 8:2; 9:11-13). Denotes the sacrificial sharing and giving of one’s resources and self to meet the needs of others.

it with simplicity... Greek: haplotes (Rom. 12:8; 2Cor. 1:12; 8:2; 9:11, 9:13; 11:3; Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22). Do not give with outward show or pride. This means liberality. Simplicity, single-mindedness and openhearted generosity. The believer who gives with a proper attitude, does not do so for thanks and personal recognition, but to glorify God.

He that ruleth... Greek: proistemi, the leader; pastor; superintendent; the one over any business of the church (Rom. 12:8; 1Thes. 5:12; 1Tim. 3:4, 3:5, 3:12; 5:17; Tit. 3:8, 3:14). He that ruleth or leads is a gift Paul calls “administration”, a word that means “to guide” and is used of the person who steers a ship. In the New Testament, this word is used to describe only leadership in the home and the church. Again, the church’s leaders must exercise this gift, but it is certainly not limited to them.

with diligence; he... Greek: spoude, haste (Mark 6:25); diligent (Rom. 12:8; Heb. 6:11; 2Pet. 1:5; Jude 1:3); earnest (2Cor. 8:16); carefulness (2Cor. 7:11).

he that sheweth... Those who visit the sick and work for charity must be cheerful and sympathetic. This is one who actively shows sympathy and sensitivity to those in suffering and sorrow, and who has both the willingness and the resources to help lessen their affliction. Frequently, this gift accompanies the gift of exhortation.

with cheerfulness... Is an attitude crucial to ensure that the gift of mercy becomes a genuine help, not a discouraging commiseration with those who are suffering.

We see in all of this, that God calls each of us to do a specific job. Whether God has called you to be pastor of a church or a teacher in a Christian school, God will not call you to do a job that He will not equip you to do. What the Scriptures above are saying is that any job God calls you to do, you should do it through the power of the Holy Spirit and not in your own strength.

Eph. 4:11 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;”