Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Romans 12:7
Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
7. ministry ministering ] Lit. whether service, in the service. The word rendered “ ministry ” is diaconia; (same word as Rom 11:13, where it means the apostolic service). It is a largely inclusive word; the main fixed idea being that of active, “practical,” duty in the Church, of whatever kind or degree. Almost any work other than that of inspired utterance, or miracle-working, may be included in it here. “ In the service: ” i.e. “let us be really in it; devoted to it.” So “in the teaching,” “in the exhortation,” just below. In 1Ti 4:15, the Gr. rendered “Give thyself wholly to them,” is lit. “ Be in these things.”
he that teacheth ] In 1Co 12:28-29, (see too Eph 4:11,) “teachers” are mentioned as a class of commissioned workers in the Church. Perhaps they were specially the expositors of revealed truth; those who devoted themselves to explaining the application (to belief and practice) of the Scriptures and of the apostolic preaching.
on teaching ] Lit. in the teaching. See last note but one.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Or ministry – diakonian. This word properly means service of any kind; Luk 10:40. It is used in religion to denote the service which is rendered to Christ as the Master. It is applied to all classes of ministers in the New Testament, as denoting their being the servants of Christ; and it is used particularly to denote that class who from this word were called deacons, that is, those who had the care of the poor, who provided for the sick, and who watched over the external matters of the church. In the following places it is used to denote the ministry, or service, which Paul and the other apostles rendered in their public work; Act 1:17, Act 1:25; Act 6:4; Act 12:25; Act 20:24; Act 21:19; Rom 11:13; Rom 15:31; 2Co 5:18; 2Co 6:3; Eph 4:12; 1Ti 1:12. In a few places this word is used to denote the function which the deacons fulfilled; Act 6:1; Act 11:29; 1Co 16:15; 2Co 11:8. In this sense the word deacon diakonos is most commonly used, as denoting the function which was performed in providing for the poor and administering the alms of the church. It is not easy to say in what sense it is used here. I am inclined to the opinion that he did not refer to those who were appropriately called deacons, but to those engaged in the function of the ministry of the word; whose business it was to preach, and thus to serve the churches. In this sense the word is often used in the New Testament, and the connection seems to demand the same interpretation here.
On our ministering – Let us be wholly and diligently occupied in this. Let this be our great business, and let us give entire attention to it. Particularly the connection requires us to understand this as directing those who ministered not to aspire to the office and honors of those who prophesied. Let them not think of themselves more highly than they ought, but be engaged entirely in their own appropriate work.
He that teacheth – This word denotes those who instruct, or communicate knowledge. It is clear that it is used to denote a class of persons different, in some respects, from those who prophesied and from those who exhorted. But in what this difference consisted, is not clear. Teachers are mentioned in the New Testament in the grade next to the prophets; Act 13:1; 1Co 12:28-29; Eph 4:11. Perhaps the difference between the prophets, the ministers, the teachers, and the exhorters was this, that the first spake by inspiration; the second engaged in all the functions of the ministry properly so called, including the administration of the sacraments; the teachers were employed in communicating instruction simply, teaching the doctrines of religion, but without assuming the function of ministers; and the fourth exhorted, or entreated Christians to lead a holy life, without making it a particular subject to teach, and without pretending to administer the ordinances of religion.
The fact that teachers are so often mentioned in the New Testament, shows that they were a class by themselves. It may be worthy of remark that the churches in New England had, at first, a class of people who were called teachers. One was appointed to this office in every church, distinct from the pastor, whose proper business it was to instruct the congregation in the doctrines of religion. The same thing exists substantially now in most churches, in the appointment of Sunday school teachers, whose main business it is to instruct the children in the doctrines of the Christian religion. It is an office of great importance to the church; and the exhortation of the apostle may be applied to them: that they should be assiduous, constant, diligent their teaching; that they should confine themselves to their appropriate place; and should feel that their office is of great importance in the church of God; and remember that this is his arrangement, designed to promote the edification of his people.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. Or ministry] simply means the office of a deacon; and what this office was, see in Clarke’s note on “Ac 6:4“, where the subject is largely discussed.
Or he that teacheth] The teacher, , was a person whose office it was to instruct others, who thereby catechizing, or simply explaining the grand truths of Christianity.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Ministry; under this word are comprehended all ordinary ecclesiastical functions, which afterwards divideth into two sorts; the first relating to the word; the second, to other pious works.
Let us wait on our ministering: the words, let us wait, are not in the text, but fitly supplied: q.d. Let all that be called to the office of the ministry be diligent in it, and attend to it: see Act 20:28; 1Pe 5:2.
Teaching, in the latter end of this verse, and exhortation, in the beginning of the next, are mentioned as the two great works of those that minister and labour in the word and doctrine. Some think they are distinct offices; see Eph 4:11; and that in the primitive church, where they had variety of ministers, some had the office of teachers, and chiefly exercised themselves in instructing their hearers in the principles of religion, in laying down sound doctrine and confuting of errors: others had the office of pastors, and attended chiefly to exhortation and admonition; pressing points of practice, and making application thereof. Others think that they are distinct gifts, but not diverse offices; some have a gift to teach that have none to exhort, and e contra. The apostle, Rom 12:6, calls them differing gifts: sometimes these two are found in the same persons, and they are excellently gifted both for teaching and exhorting.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. Or ministry, let us wait on“beoccupied with.”
our ministeringTheword here used imports any kind of service, from the dispensing ofthe word of life (Ac 6:4) to theadministering of the temporal affairs of the Church (Ac6:1-3). The latter seems intended here, being distinguished from”prophesying,” “teaching,” and “exhorting.”
or he that teachethTeachersare expressly distinguished from prophets, and put after them, asexercising a lower function (Act 13:1;1Co 12:28; 1Co 12:29).Probably it consisted mainly in opening up the evangelical bearingsof Old Testament Scripture; and it was in this department apparentlythat Apollos showed his power and eloquence (Ac18:24).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Or ministry, [let us wait] on our ministry,…. The word
sometimes signifies the whole ecclesiastical ministry, even the office of apostleship, as well as the ordinary ministration of the Gospel; see Ac 1:17; but here “deaconship”, or the office of ministering to the poor saints, as in Ac 6:1, being a distinct office from prophesying: or preaching the word, and should be used, exercised, and attended to with diligence, care, and constancy; for such who are appointed to this office, are chosen not only to a place of honour, but of service and business, in which they should behave with prudence, sobriety, and humility:
or he that teacheth, on teaching. The gift of prophesying or preaching is subdivided into “teaching” and “exhorting”; the one belongs to “teachers” or doctors, the other to “pastors”; as the distinction is in Eph 4:11, not that different officers and offices are intended, but different branches of the same office; and one man’s talent may lie more in the one, and another man’s in the other; and accordingly each should in his preaching attend to the gift which is most peculiar to him: if his gift lies in teaching, let him constantly employ himself in that with all sobriety and “teaching” does not design an office in the school, but in the church; it is not teaching divinity as men teach logic, rhetoric, and other arts and sciences, in the schools; but an instructing of churches and the members thereof in the doctrines of the Gospel, in order to establish and build them up in their most holy faith; see
1Co 12:28; it chiefly lies in a doctrinal way of preaching, in opening, explaining, and defending the doctrines of Christ, as distinct from the practical part of the ministry of the word, and the administration of ordinances, in which the pastor is employed as well as in this.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Let us give ourselves . There is no verb in the Greek. We must supply or some such phrase.
Or he that teacheth ( ). Here the construction changes and no longer do we have the accusative case like (general word for Christian service of all kinds including ministers and deacons) as the object of , but the nominative articular participle. A new verb must be supplied of which is the subject as with the succeeding participles through verse 8. Perhaps in each instance the verb is to be repeated from the participle like here (let him teach) or a general term (let him do it) can be used for all of them as seems necessary before “with liberality” in verse 8 ( , in simplicity, for which word, see Matt 6:22; 2Cor 8:2; 2Cor 9:11; 2Cor 9:13).
He that ruleth ( ). “The one standing in front” for which see 1Th 5:12.
With diligence ( ). “In haste” as if in earnest (Mark 6:25; 2Cor 7:11; 2Cor 8:8; 2Cor 8:16), from , to hasten. Again verse 11.
With cheerfulness ( ). Late word, only here in N.T., from (2Co 9:7) cheerful, hilarious.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Ministering [] . Let us wait on is supplied. Lit., or ministry in our ministry. The word appears in the New Testament always in connection with the service of the Christian Church, except Luk 10:40, of Martha ‘s serving; Heb 1:14, of the ministry of angels, and 2Co 3:7, of the ministry of Moses. Within this limit it is used, 1. Of service in general, including all forms of christian ministration tending to the good of the christian body (1Co 12:5; Eph 4:13; 2Ti 4:11). Hence, 2. Of the apostolic office and its administration; (a) generally (Act 20:24; 2Co 4:1; 1Ti 1:12); or (b) defined as a ministry of reconciliation, of the word, of the Spirit, of righteousness (2Co 5:18; Act 6:4; 2Co 3:8, 9). It is not used of the specific office of a deacon; but the kindred word diakonov occurs in that sense (Phi 1:1; 1Ti 3:8, 12). As the word is employed in connection with both the higher and lower ministrations in the Church (see Act 6:1, 4), it is difficult to fix its precise meaning here; yet as it is distinguished here from prophecy, exhortation, and teaching, it may refer to some more practical, and, possibly, minor form of ministry. Moule says : “Almost any work other than that of inspired utterance or miracle – working may be included in it here.” So Godet : “An activity of a practical nature exerted in action, not in word.” Some limit it to the office of deacon.
Teaching. Aimed at the understanding.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering,” (eite diskonian) en te diakonia) “or if he have a common ministry gift, let him exercise it in the common ministry”, according to his charismatic, grace-imparted, spirit conferred gift and calling.
Special spiritual gifts were given to different members of each church for the practical help of others, to their edification, to build them up spiritually. These lasted or continued until the New Testament was finished . All then passed away except three: faith, hope, and charity, 1Co 13:1; 1Co 13:8-13; Eph 4:7; Eph 4:11-14.
2) “Or he that teacheth, on teaching” (eite ho didaskon, en te didaskalia) “Or the one teaching, in the teaching,” let him exercise this charismatic gift, in harmony with the faith, once delivered to the saints, or not at all, Rom 12:6.
The Bible now furnishes man to every good work and he is to use it, 2Ti 3:16-17; For it is true “from the beginning,” The special gifts of inspiration, apostles, miracles, tongues, etc. Have all ceased from God, except the three gifts of Faith, Hope, and Charity. One must not be ignorant of this truth lest he be “tossed to and fro” by every “wind of doctrine,” etc., See 1Co 13:13; Eph 4:13-14; Jas 1:25. Miracles, tongues, interpreting of tongues, etc. were given to New Testament churches as credentials that they were from God and lasted only till the Bible was completed, till the “that which” is perfect, the Bible, the “unity-standard of the faith” was come, 1Co 13:9-10; Eph 4:13; 2Ti 3:16-17; Jas 1:25. Let us teach or communicate this to all, Gal 6:6.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(7) Ministry.The word used is the technical term for the discharge of the office of deacon. The institution of this office is described in Act. 6:1-5. Its object was to provide for the practical business as opposed to the spiritual ministrations of the Church. It included more especially the distribution of alms and the care of the poor, the sick, widows, etc. The functions of the diaconate are called serving tables (i.e., in the literal sense, providing food for those who needed it) in Act. 6:2-3, and helps in 1Co. 12:28.
Let us wait on . . .These words are supplied in the English, Let us be absorbed in, devoted to, our ministering.
He that teacheth.Comp. 1Co. 12:28; Eph. 4:11; 1Ti. 5:17. It would seem from the first of these passages (thirdly teachers) that teaching was considered as a special office, though not, perhaps, confined to special persons.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Ministry The Greek term from which deacon and deaconship are derived. (See note on Act 6:1.) The office, though not well defined, seems to include the performance of the secular and manual needs of the Church, though the individual was often endowed for higher functions and performed them.
Teacheth As a catechist or expositor of Old Testament truths, or of the history and teachings of Jesus. (Luk 1:4.) The Sunday-school teacher of the present day fulfils very much the same duty.
And there is, we think, very good reason to suppose that Sunday was the day selected for much of the performance of the duty.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Or ministry, (let us give ourselves) to our ministry, or he who teaches, (let him give himself) to his teaching,’
All Christians are to keep themselves to what they do best in accordance with the gift(s) given to them by God. Thus those who serve in the church in different ways are to give themselves to that service, and those who teach are to give themselves to their teaching, fulfilling their God-given responsibilities as to the Lord. The word for service indicates mainly catering to the needs of others in every way, something of which Jesus was the prime example (Mar 10:45). It would include ensuring that all had their needs met (see Act 6:1-6), both spiritual and physical. Teaching involved ensuring that guidance was given in accordance with Scripture and ‘the testimony of Jesus’, in the case of women, often by women (e.g. Tit 2:3-5).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Ver. 7. Or ministry ] Take it either largely for the whole ministry, as 1Co 12:5 ; Act 1:24-26 ; or more strictly for the office of a deacon, as Act 6:1-6 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
7. ] any subordinate ministration in the Church . In Act 6:1 ; Act 6:4 , we have the word applied both to the lower ministration, that of alms and food, and to the higher, the . , which belonged to the Apostles. But here it seems to be used in a more restricted sense, from its position as distinct from prophecy, teaching, exhortation, &c.
.] Let us confine ourselves humbly and orderly to that kind of ministration to which God’s providence has appointed us, as profitable members of the body.
] The prophet spoke under immediate inspiration ; the under inspiration working by the secondary instruments of his will and reason and rhetorical powers. Paul himself seems ordinarily, in his personal ministrations, to have used . He is nowhere called a prophet , but appears as distinguished from them in several places: e.g. Act 11:27 ; Act 21:10 , and apparently Rom 13:1 . Of course this does not affect the appearance of prophecies , commonly so called; in his writings. The inspired would speak, though not technically , yet the mind of the Spirit in all things: not to mention that the apostolic office was one in dignity and fulness of inspiration far surpassing any of the subordinate ones, and in fact including them all.
] as before: he is to teach in the sphere, within the bounds, of the teaching allotted to him by God, or for which God has given him the faculty.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
ministry = ministering. App-190.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
7. ] any subordinate ministration in the Church. In Act 6:1; Act 6:4, we have the word applied both to the lower ministration, that of alms and food, and to the higher, the . , which belonged to the Apostles. But here it seems to be used in a more restricted sense, from its position as distinct from prophecy, teaching, exhortation, &c.
.] Let us confine ourselves humbly and orderly to that kind of ministration to which Gods providence has appointed us, as profitable members of the body.
] The prophet spoke under immediate inspiration; the under inspiration working by the secondary instruments of his will and reason and rhetorical powers. Paul himself seems ordinarily, in his personal ministrations, to have used . He is nowhere called a prophet, but appears as distinguished from them in several places: e.g. Act 11:27; Act 21:10, and apparently Rom 13:1. Of course this does not affect the appearance of prophecies, commonly so called; in his writings. The inspired would speak, though not technically , yet the mind of the Spirit in all things: not to mention that the apostolic office was one in dignity and fulness of inspiration far surpassing any of the subordinate ones, and in fact including them all.
] as before: he is to teach in the sphere, within the bounds, of the teaching allotted to him by God,-or for which God has given him the faculty.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Rom 12:7. , or) This word is thrice repeated by the figure Ploce [end.] Do, what thou art doing, in earnest, in order that the reality may correspond to [keep] its own name [that what you do, may correspond to what you profess to do], Ecc 9:10. The principle of the subsequent sentiments is the same.[131]
[131] , on the ministry) Let not the minister assume too much to himself and after all not fully discharge his duty.-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Rom 12:7
Rom 12:7
or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry;-The ministry here was the work of the deacons, or he who serves in distributing the fellowship of the saints to the poor. This is an admonition that each must be faithful and diligent in the business for which he is fitted. It does not mean that a man in helping the needy is not to use his opportunities for teaching the gospel or speaking a word of comfort and encouragement. Paul says: For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. (1Ti 3:13). That is, the work of the deacon faithfully performed develops a high degree of spiritual power and great boldness in the faith. They are not to be dissatisfied with the work to which they are adapted and seek one they consider more honorable or efficient.
or he that teacheth, to his teaching;-There were specially gifted teachers in the church. They were a lower order than the apostles, prophets, or evangelists, and they are admonished to diligently work according to their gift. They were to teach the gospel revealed by the apostles to the unconverted, and the lessons of truth to members of the body of Christ. One might be gifted in one special line, yet need instruction in others. (See 1Co 14:29-31). One who served faithfully in a lower gift might be entrusted with a higher. Paul, chosen to be an apostle from the beginning, served a time as a teacher (Act 13:1), and afterwards had bestowed upon him a full apostolic measure of the Holy Spirit. By using faithfully the lower gifts he fitted himself to use the higher.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
ministry: Isa 21:8, Eze 3:17-21, Eze 33:7-9, Mat 24:45-47, Luk 12:42-44, Act 20:20, Act 20:28, Col 4:17, 1Ti 4:16, 2Ti 4:2, 1Pe 5:1-4
or he: Deu 33:10, 1Sa 12:23, Psa 34:11, Psa 51:13, Ecc 12:9, Mat 28:19, Joh 3:2, Act 13:1, Gal 6:6, Eph 4:11, Col 1:28, Col 1:29, 1Ti 2:7, 1Ti 3:2, 1Ti 5:17, 2Ti 2:2, 2Ti 2:24
Reciprocal: Num 3:10 – they shall Deu 10:8 – to stand 1Ch 9:27 – the charge Neh 12:44 – Judah rejoiced Eph 4:12 – the work 1Ti 3:13 – used
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2:7
Rom 12:7. Ministry means that service to others that their condition requires. If a man has the ability to teach, let him attend to that as his
personal work
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rom 12:7. Or ministry. The second gift. Some refer this to all the permanent offices of a single church, taking the five following terms as included under it. The change of construction in the next clause slightly favors this view, but it cannot be positively established. The usual view refers it to the diaconate (which the Greek term may mean), namely, the gift of oversight of the external affairs of the church.
Let us wait on our ministry, lit., in the ministry, just spoken of. We might supply, let us be, since the exhortation means let us render service in our appointed sphere, therein be instant (comp. 1Ti 4:15). It has happened ever since those who had a gift, and a corresponding office, for the external affairs of the church, have not been content to limit their efforts to their proper sphere.
Or he that teacheth, on teaching, lit., the teaching, his sphere. This refers to the gift of teaching by ordinary methods and need not be limited to any special office. Paul was himself a teacher. This gift is a permanent one, and cannot be too highly prized; the danger now as then, is the possessors mistaking his gift, or stepping outside of it to exercise functions for which he is not adapted.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching [Most of the spiritual gifts of Paul’s day were either wholly supernatural or shaded into the miraculous, and, as miracles have ceased, it becomes hard for us to-day to accurately define gifts which have passed away. “Ministry” (diakonia) is derived from the Greek word for deacon, and probably described such services as deacons (Phi 1:1; Rom 16:1) then rendered. The order, “apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, then gifts of hearings, helps, governments” (1Co 12:28), compared with the order here–viz., prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhorting, giving–suggests that miracles of healing may have been part of the ministry (comp. 1 Pet 4:11), as well as caring for the poor, serving tables, etc. (Act 6:1-6; 1Ti 3:8-13). Teaching was probably much the same as that of to-day, only the teacher had to remember the verbal instruction of the apostles and prophets (2Th 2:15; 2Ti 1:13; 2Ti 2:2; 2Ti 3:10; 2 Tim 14) until the same was reduced to writing as we now have it in the Scriptures];
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
7. Whether the deaconate, in the deaconate. In the constitution of the visible church, the deacon has charge of all the temporal interests, including ministerial support, care of the sanctuary and everything else, while at the same time he preaches and witnesses for God. Those who stay by the stuff receive just as much as those who go to the war. Whether he that teacheth, in teaching. The church is the school of Christ, where all the members are taught the Word of the Lord. God always raises up competent teachers for His people, that they may not be ignorant, but proficient in His blessed Word. At this point you can always see the line between the true and the fallen church, as you can not teach dead people. The popular churches of the present day have lost every trace of the didactic peculiarity of Gods church, so eminent and conspicuous in the apostolic age. An old ex-missionary from Bishop Taylors work in India told me that the heathen Hindus are better posted in the Scripture than the Christians in America, because they attend the Bible schools, which are constantly conducted seven days in the week in heathen lands. What an awful delinquency in the home church now rapidly heathenizing our own people!
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 7
Ministry; the service Of the church in respect to its temporal concerns.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
12:7 Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that {m} teacheth, on teaching;
(m) Whose office is only to expound the scriptures.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
All the gifts Paul mentioned in Rom 12:6-8 need exercising within the body of Christ for its members’ mutual benefit (cf. Rom 12:5). Obviously other gifts have other purposes. However, Paul was stressing here the need to recognize that the members of the body contribute to the common welfare. In each case he spoke of the way we use these gifts.
"Service" or "serving" (Rom 12:7, Gr. diakonia) probably refers to ministering to the material needs of other believers. [Note: Cranfield, 2:622.] Teaching involves explaining what God has revealed (cf. 1Co 14:6). It differs from prophesying in that prophesying (from propheteuo, lit. to speak forth) evidently included communicating any word from God, inspired or uninspired (1Co 12:28; Eph 4:11). [Note: See John E. Johnson, "The Old Testament Offices as Paradigm for Pastoral Identity," Bibliotheca Sacra 152:606 (April-June 1995):182-200.]
"Exhorts" or "encouraging" translates the Greek word parakalesis (cf. Rom 12:1), sometimes rendered "comfort." All three words are good translations. The context provides the clue to the main idea wherever the word appears. Here exhortation is perhaps best. Whereas teaching appeals to the mind, exhortation (preaching) appeals to the will. "Giving" is capable of broad application within the body. We should practice giving with singleness of heart, namely, freedom from mixed motives (cf. Act 5:1-11). The idea is not so much giving lavishly as giving single-mindedly, to please the Lord.
Leaders experience temptation simply to enjoy the benefits of their positions rather than really providing leadership by serving. Showing mercy relates to ministering to the sick and specially needy. A cheerful rather than a grudging attitude is an important part of such ministry.