Part 8 of 10 of the theme 'The Holy Spirit in the NT ' by Gijs van den Brink

Last time we read two lists of spirit gifts in 1 Cor. 12:8-10 and 1 Cor. 12:28 and concluded that Paul does not distinguish between ordinary and more special gifts.

A third enumeration of gifts is found in Rom. 12:6-8.

We have different gifts, distinguished according to the grace given to us. Those who have the gift of prophesying must use it in accordance with faith.

Whoever has the gift of assistance should provide assistance. Whoever has the gift to teach, must teach.

Whoever has the gift to comfort, must comfort. Whoever gives something away must do so without ulterior motive. Whoever leads must do so with full commitment. Whoever is merciful to another must be joyful in doing so.

Again, Paul makes no distinction between "ordinary" and "special" gifts.

On the one hand, he mentions more mundane gifts such as service, teaching and encouragement.

On the other hand, he mentions the more particular gift of prophecy and says of it, "use it in accordance with faith.

That is 'according to the measure of faith, which God has assigned to each in particular (vs. 3 NBG51).

So again, this gift is not about the faith that preserves, but the degree of personal faith confidence.

What Paul is talking about in Rom. 12 is this: how does a person handle his/her gifts? Is one's life a holy and God-pleasing sacrifice? Indeed, this is what he begins with in vs.1.

Again, the list contains only examples; it is not ordered by priorities, nor is it complete, as is evident when compared with the other listings.

Furthermore, Paul presumes both in the letter to the Corinthians and here in Rom. 12 that every believer has gifts.

Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine

This is part 8 of 10 concise blog on the topic of "The Holy Spirit in the NT" from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!