Romans 12:3-8

Our approach to spiritual gifts is a little different than what one normally finds.  Typically the various lists in Rom. 12:6-8, 1 Cor. 12:7-11 and 28-30, are put together as one larger list and then believers are encouraged to find their gift.

We take 1 Cor. 12:4-6 as a cue to better understanding these as lists of:

·        gifts (Rom. 12:6-8 is the only list said to be charismata, v6, the term for gifts; 1 Cor. 12:1 refers to spiritual gifts but the word “gifts” is in italics meaning it is not in the Greek; the word is simply “spirituals” or “spiritual things”);

·        ministries (1 Cor. 12:28-30, that is, places or positions or opportunities given by the Head of the Church in which we use these gifts); and

·        activities (1 Cor. 12:7-11, or manifestations of the Spirit, effects or results from the use of the gift in the ministry appointed by Christ).

Thus there are seven gifts and today’s passage says every believer has one of those gifts.  They are given “through” grace (v3,6).  The Greek term for “grace” is charis.  It should be clear, even if you don’t know Greek, that the words for “gift” and “grace” are related.  The gifts are better said to be “grace gifts”.  They are a specific portion of God’s grace given to each believer to dispense, if you will, to the body of believers.

They are said to be “a measure of faith” (v3) as well as a “function” or “use” (v4).  Tomorrow we will consider the nature of each gift.  For now let us note that each area of giftedness is in fact something that every believer is to exhibit.  We are all to serve (gift of ministry), to have mercy, to have a concern for sin (gift of prophecy) and so forth.  Not only that, all seven of these gifts were present in our Lord Jesus Christ.  He excelled at them all.

What does this mean?  The various gifts are placed around the body of Christ to give us a clear portrait of Christ.  Our brothers and sisters should be a collective example to us of the life of Christ.  I may have the gift of prophecy with a concern about sin and a desire to call people to repentance.  But I need the brother with the gift of mercy or my preaching will be harsh, laying a burden of guilt on people without lifting a finger to help (Matt. 23:4).

Lastly, it makes sense that a local church would work well with a group of Elders who have different gifts.  (All Elders are to be able to teach, 1 Tim. 3:2; but it is not necessarily the strength of each, 1 Tim. 5:17.)  Their oversight would have great wisdom and effectiveness if all the strengths of Christ were present.  They would address problems with each of the gifts at work in the process.

Whether or not you share this approach, be encouraged to think soberly (reasonably) about your place in the body of Christ.  None of us is the “beginning and end” of the local church.  Likewise, each of us has grace from God to dispense to the body.  Let us be good stewards!