Romans 12:4-8

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his [or in agreement with the] faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

We are many parts of one body with different functions according to God’s grace. Paul says that the communion of saints is a reality. Because we live and serve God together, we experience a genuine community of believers. We are one body, yet different parts; we are united, but not the same. Paul is not saying that Christian salvation transforms us into a bunch of interchangeable units. We continue to be distinct personalities and have distinct gifts. Our unity is not disrupted simply because there are differences between us; unity does not require sameness. There are nontransferable functions, different gifts and responsibilities, that we each have in the Kingdom of God. Nevertheless, just because we are different doesn’t mean that we lack unity. Diversity does not equal disunity. Why not? Because we all live to the benefit of each other. This is the overarching reality of the communion of the saints. We are different, but we are to live to and for one another. I am for you; you are for me. It’s the Three Musketeers: “All for one and one for all.” We share in the fellowship of life because of our union with Jesus Christ.

And this is important in our culture. The world’s logic goes like this: sameness of function means real equality. So if women are not allowed to be preachers (1 Timothy 2:12), then that displays their un-equal treatment compared to men. But Paul dissents to this logic. He says, “We are one, we are equal in Christ, but we do not share the same functions.” Just because a woman should not be a preacher does not make her un-equal to the male preacher. No, she has roles that men cannot fill, so she is equal in that sense.

Paul moves on in v6, saying that the Christian church is “charismatic.” Being “charismatic” means being “graciously gifted” by the Holy Spirit for ministry to one another. God is the great Giver of the gifts, and in His wisdom He distributes gifts in just the right way to each believer; there is no believer without a gift, yet the gifts are transferred in different “skill levels” if you will, according to God’s grace and our faith. In fact, the greatest gift is spiritual life, faith itself, as evidenced by the fact that we believe the Gospel message; and faith, even given in different measures to different people, now serves as the root of all these other spiritual gifts. Now Paul’s list of 7 gifts is neither a complete list, nor does the list include mutually exclusive gifts. There are more spiritual gifts discussed elsewhere (1 Corinthians 12-14), and people may certainly be gifted specially in more than one area. Paul’s point is this: whatever God has given you, in abilities and resources, is for the edification of His body. You are not to hide or waste your gifts. But at the same time don’t just use them; use them accordingly, humbly, because of God’s mercy. Christian humility compels us to serve one another humbly. A realization that we’re part of the communion of saints compels us to serve one another. A realization that everything God has given us is for one another ought to compel us to serve each other. Notice the gifts:

(1) Prophesying – the ability to pass along direct words of revelation from God. Some suggest that this was a temporary gift, pointing to 1 Corinthians 13:8 and Ephesians 2:20 (a foundation is only laid once). They believe that prophecy is just as inspired as the inerrant and infallible Word of God; thus, if prophecy was given today, then the Bible could be considered incomplete. It should be growing along with each prophecy. Others suggest that God still speaks through prophecy today; prophecy is not inspired as Scripture is. Rather, it is a report of something God brings spontaneously to mind. John Piper defines prophecy here as “a Spirit-guided expression of something we otherwise would not know or say, which is powerful for that particular moment and brings conviction or exhortation or consolation for the awakening or up-building of faith. It should not spook us as something uncontrollable, but should be treated as any claim to insight. It is fallible. It may prove true and it may not because the human channel is sinful and fallible and finite.” If this is true, as I believe it is, how do we know when prophets are prophesying truthfully? Prophets must prophesy in accordance with true faith. In other words, a prophet must be living in obedience to God’s Word if we are to believe their words are genuine. See 1 Corinthians 14:1-4, 29-32 and 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21. Have you ever been inclined to pray spontaneously for someone and then later found out that they experienced something at the precise moment of your inclination? Any thoughts on prophecy?

(2) Serving – fruitful and joyful ministry, such as a deacon. This gift is often not honored or highly-esteemed, but it is arguably one of the most given gifts and therefore among the most crucial gifts. (3) Teaching – indoctrination by reasoned persuasion, not by overpowering compulsion. This was especially critical in Paul’s time, when few people could read the Scriptures and had to rely on teachers’ words. The teacher was vitally important for conveying the faith and the life of faith to the people of God. Paul might have added that the teacher ought to be humble, recognizing that his teaching is a gift to him, not for his own self-satisfaction or boasting, but rather for the edification of the people of God. (4) Encouraging – exhortation with love and compassion, not by coercion. This goes along with teaching, as it is critical to encourage those whom you teach and teach those whom you encourage.

(5) Contributing – giving extra-generously, especially financially. We are all called to give generously, but some are gifted to give extra-generously in proportion to their ability, and this should be done in humility and not grudgingly. (6) Leadership – ruling or governing diligently. Paul is saying that those who are gifted with the abilities of leading the church need not be lazy or side-tracked in that work. This has special application to elders. (7) Mercy – cheerful compassion, including humor. Don’t go to somebody who is sick without being cheerful. Mercy on the ailing brethren is not mercy if it’s not cheerful.