romans 12:8 meaning

To the deacons was committed the duty of distributing alms, but to others that of personal attendance. “He who leads, with diligence…” (12:8). In 2 Corinthians 8:16, earnest care. Aimed at the heart and will. This can hardly be called an office, in the technical sense; and yet it is not improbable that they were designated to … He that giveth - Margin, "imparteth." 13. One is to "stop being conformed to the world," (Romans 12:2a). Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek Scripture. He that imparteth. This is anything but peaceful! There were no hospitals and no almshouses. Let love be without dissimulation. In this part of Romans Chapter 12 Paul is listing some of the gifts that have been given to believers. "The joyful eagerness, the amiable grace, the affability going the length of gayety, which make the visitor a sunbeam penetrating into the sick-chamber, and to the heart of the afflicted.". Romans 12:8 or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, {let him do it} with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Well, maybe so, but the word is proistemi. Romans 12:3 says, “God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-9 says, “For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit” God gives to some people an unusual ability to trust God for great things. Mattanot Anayim, c. 10. sect. The amount of it all is, that we should discharge with fidelity the duties which belong to us in the sphere of life in which we are placed; and not despise the rank which God has assigned us; not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought; but to act well our part, according to the station where we are placed, and the talents with which we are endowed. Students of Romans differ on this. Compare Titus 3:8, to maintain good works; the idea of presiding over running into that of carrying on or practicing. Adding Chapters (mid 13th Century) and Verses (mid 16th Century) broke the books into pieces. If this were done, it would put an end to discontent, ambition, and strife, and would produce the blessings of universal peace and order. He that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.—A happy combination which is an instance of the Apostle’s fresh and genuine view of human nature. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12, it is used in relation to ministers in general: "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord;" 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 1 Timothy 3:12, it is applied to the head of a family, or one who diligently and faithfully performs the duty of a father: "One that ruleth well his own house;" 1 Timothy 5:17, it is applied to "elders" in the church: "Let the elders that rule well, etc." The preposition μετά indicates sharing with. 3:4, 5, 12; 5:17). If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. The importance of this direction to those in this situation is apparent. 5:12), including both elders and deacons (1 Tim. he that giveth—in the exercise of private benevolence probably, rather than in the discharge of diaconal duty. He who gives “to be seen of men,” or with any selfish motive, exhausts thereby the merit of the act, see Matthew 6:2 et seq. He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; He that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness: the series of those charismatically endowed is continued, generally for the activity of public usefulness in the social Christian life, προΐστασθαι τῶν πραγμάτων, ἡγεμονικὸς καὶ ἀρχικός, ἱλαραὶ δὲ ἀντὶ σκυθρωπῶν, neither prevented by the desire of private advantage, nor by anxious deliberation, whether or not another may be worthy of the favour given, and whether proper moderation be observed in giving, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. The Gifts of the Spirit . Compare Ephesians 4:28; Luke 3:11. Sirach 32. The next gift that he mentions, the sixth gift, is the gift of leading. It reappears in the Latin hilaritas; English, hilarity, exhilarate. Rev. The example of the good Samaritan is also another instance of what is intended by this direction; compare 2 Corinthians 9:7. He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; He that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness: He that showeth mercy, with cheerful-ness. with simplicity—so the word probably means. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a … It is plain that when property was intrusted to them, there would be danger that they might be tempted to employ it for selfish and sinister ends, to promote their influence and prosperity; and hence, the apostle exhorted them to do it with a single aim to the object for which it was given. Whether this refers to a permanent office in the church, or to an occasional presiding in their assemblies convened for business, etc. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." This verb may mean to give aid or engage in good deeds (Titus 3:8, 14), but most commentators understand it here to mean “to lead.” Paul uses it this way to describe church leaders (1 Thess. KJV: King James Version 9 Love must be sincere. 3:4, 5, 12; 5:17). Here begins the subdivision of the deacon's office into its several branches, "giving", "ruling", and "showing mercy": by "giving" is meant, not giving of his own, or performing: acts of charity, which is common to all the members of the church, who ought liberally to contribute to the relief of the poor; but imparting or distributing the church's money to proper objects, which is to be done "with simplicity"; with all faithfulness and integrity, without fraud or embezzling the church's stock, with impartiality, and without respect of persons, and liberally and bountifully, as the word here used signifies; see 2 Corinthians 8:2; he that ruleth, with diligence; deacons are the "helps, governments", mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28, who are assisting to the pastor in the government of the church; their business is, to observe the conversations of the members of the church, and to warn them that are unruly and walk disorderly, to compose differences, and prepare matters to lay before the church; a deacon is "one that goes before"; and leads on others by way of example in his conduct and conversation; or as the Syriac renders it, , "that stands at the head" of affairs in the church; in the management of which he ought to use all study, thoughtfulness, care and diligence: he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness; which is not to be understood of showing compassion to miserable objects in common, or of giving alms to necessitous persons, and which ought to be done according to the Jewish (l) canons, , "with a cheerful countenance"; and is what is highly pleasing to God, who "loves a cheerful giver": but of a branch of the deacon's office, whose work, among other things, is to visit the sick and distressed, and communicate to them as their wants require; all which should be done, not in a morose and frowning manner, but with a pleasant look and cheerful countenance, which makes the visit and the gift more welcome, acceptable, and useful.