{"id":2274,"date":"2017-07-22T16:14:29","date_gmt":"2017-07-22T15:14:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.manual4life.org\/en\/?p=2274"},"modified":"2017-10-12T10:40:51","modified_gmt":"2017-10-12T09:40:51","slug":"romans-126-9-spiritual-gifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/delevensschool.org\/en\/romans-126-9-spiritual-gifts\/","title":{"rendered":"Romans 12:6-9 – We have spiritual gifts"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a sequel to the study \u2018Spiritual gifts – definition\u2019<\/span><\/a>, which it would be best to read first, this study looks at what the Bible teaches in one of the two texts about the spiritual gifts\/presents out of kindness.<\/p>\n

The context (Romans 12:1-5):<\/span><\/h3>\n

In the previous verse, Romans 11:36, Paul remarks:<\/p>\n

For from him (Jesus Christ) and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.\u00a0\u00a0 (Romans 11:36)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Put otherwise: Everything has its existence in Jesus Christ and to Him alone is all honour due.
\nPaul therefore goes on to say:<\/p>\n

I Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God\u2019s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God<\/strong> – this is your true and proper worship.\u00a0\u00a0 (Romans 12:1)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If everything, ourselves included, exists through Jesus Christ, it is the logical for a disciple to make himself available to Him with his whole being, so that Jesus becomes visible in this world.
\nIn order to achieve this a metamorphosis, a spiritual transformation, is needed, so that a disciple of Jesus is able to live in accordance with the will of God, as revealed in the Bible.<\/p>\n

Paul writes about this as follows:<\/p>\n

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed (metamorpho-oo: change of appearance) by the renewing of your mind (thoughts, feelings, intentions, desires). Then you will be able to test and approve what God\u2019s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.\u00a0\u00a0 (Romans 12:2)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the following verses Paul urges the believer therefore to always be true to himself and to realise that we are joined together in the body of Jesus Christ. Each person is given his\/her specific task, together with the personal responsibility attached to it.<\/p>\n

The text, Romans 12:6-9:<\/span><\/h3>\n

Against this background Paul then goes on to say (in a more literal translation of the Greek, for this study):<\/p>\n

We now have presents out of kindness (charisma\/spiritual gifts)<\/strong>, according to the kindness (charis\/grace)<\/strong>, which has been given to us:
\n– whether prophecy, in accordance with the correct proportion of our faith\/trust;
\n– whether serving, in serving;
\n– whether teaching, in teaching;
\n– whether admonishing (comforting, encouraging), in admonishing (comforting, encouraging);
\n– giving (sharing), in simplicity (sincerity);
\n– leading (providing leadership) diligently (earnestly);
\n– showing mercy, in kindness.
\nMay love be sincere,<\/strong>
\n– abhorring evil, clinging to what is good.\u00a0\u00a0 (Romans 12:6-9)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Paul assumes that anyone who has experienced the kindness\/charis\/grace<\/strong> of God and of Jesus Christ in his life will also be kind towards others, \u2018according to the kindness\/charis\/grace<\/strong>, which is given to each of us\u2019.<\/p>\n

As a result, everyone who has experienced the kindness of God and Jesus in his life, is capable of doing something for someone else out of kindness, as a result of which the other person receives something, even if that is only in the form of two helping hands.
\nIn that sense the presents out of kindness\/spiritual gifts are limitless.<\/strong>
\nPaul resumes some of them, as far as the body of Jesus, the church, is concerned.<\/p>\n

Explanation of the text:<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prophecy, in accordance with the correct proportion of faith.<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe Greek \u2018propheteia\u2019 has the meaning of prediction.
\nIn the text this refers to prediction, or more in the general sense of \u2018speaking the words from God\u2019, by the person who pronounces the prophecy.
\nThat person does this according to the correct measure<\/strong> (Greek: analogia) of his\/her<\/strong> faith\/trust.
\nThe Holy Spirit is not mentioned in this respect. This prophesying must therefore not be seen as a divine revelation through the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

It is therefore necessary to be cautious when accepting these prophetic words.
\nSomeone may express his personal wishes and desires for the person or situation about which he is prophesying. These may be good words, but caution is advised when using them.<\/p>\n

Paul probably has this kind of prophesying in mind when he says in 1 Corinthians 13:9 – \u201cFor we know in part<\/strong> and we prophesy in part<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Whether serving, in serving.<\/span><\/strong>
\nIt seems logical when Paul says that one has to be willing to serve when being of service to someone.
\nWhat he means, is that one should not be of service with an ulterior motive.
\nBeing of service to someone must proceed from kindness<\/strong>, as a spiritual gift\/present out of kindness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This is doing something as a friendly gesture and not expecting to receive something in return.
\nWhen serving one must therefore be sincere and totally focussed upon the other person.<\/p>\n

Whether teaching, in teaching.<\/span><\/strong>
\nThis is teaching in accordance with the lifestyle that the person who is teaching has acquired in his life, among other things through reading and studying the Bible.<\/p>\n

Paul says in Colossians 4:6.<\/p>\n

Let your conversation be always full of grace\/kindness, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Everyone can do this, without necessarily having to be a Bible teacher.
\nAnd here too, this refers to a little bit of teaching, because someone needs it or asks a question.
\nOnce again this is teaching to the best of one\u2019s ability, without expecting a reward.<\/p>\n

Whether admonishing (comforting, encouraging), in admonishing (comforting, encouraging).<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe translation of admonishing is easily interpreted as reproving someone and pointing a finger at him.<\/p>\n

The OLB<\/span><\/a> translates \u2018parakaleo\u2019<\/strong> as:<\/p>\n