In agreement with Peter (1 Peter 4:9-11), Paul
calls his brothers and sisters to a faithful exercise of their
differing capacities. There were "prophets" at
Rome. Prophets preached, but they were more than
preachers. They were people who received their message
directly from God and delivered it to the people. Do a study
on the word. And those who taught were to faithfully
teach. Teachers and prophets were different (Acts
13:1; 1 Corinthians 12:29, et al). A
prophet taught, of course, as he prophesied, but they were still
different gifts (Ephesians 4:11). The teacher
took what was revealed and related it to other Truths and
then applied it to the life and needs of the hearers. The
prophet got his material directly from God. The difference
may, then, be stated this way--the prophet stood between God
and the people while the teacher stood between the prophet (or the
thing revealed) and the people.
There were "deacons" (ministers,
[servers/servants]) at Rome. You recall how in Acts
6 there were called out seven "deacons" who
ministered to the needs of the poor widows. There were also
ladies spoken of in the New Testament known as
"diakonous." Phoebe was a "diakonon"
(Romans 16:1) of the church in Cenchrea. I
think we have such women spoken of in 1 Timothy
5:9ff. But "ministering"
["serving"] covers a lot of different jobs.
Verse 8 speaks of "exhorters"
["encouraging" in NIV]. You'll note that
Paul makes a distinction between a teacher and an exhorter.
We usually don't. The teacher teaches [a person] what
the Will of God is and calls for. The exhorter calls him to
the performance of it by inspiring and encouraging and challenging
words. This doesn't mean that the work of prophesying,
teaching and exhorting don't overlap. They do, as a
concordance will show. Nevertheless, they are distinct
functions.
"He that giveth" ["contributing to the
needs of others"--NIV] is to do it with
liberality [generously--NIV]. But
there's more than liberality involved, there's
singleness of heart and motive involved. The word speaks of
purity of motive, genuineness of heart. Are you bearing in
mind that these are gifts? Are you bearing in mind
that Paul is saying that there are people particularly enabled by
God to give? Do you agree with him that all are not
"givers" as it is being spoken of in this
section? Won't you accept the fact that God especially
enables some people to make money and to give liberally and
gladly? ([But someone may say,] "Yeah!
There's more to being a Christian than giving
money!" We all know that. We're aware that
Paul wasn't suspending the "giver's" other
responsibilities to Christ. He was calling him to major in
his major.) There is nothing miraculous about this
gift. Nor is there anything to indicate that the
"ministering" was a miraculous gift. God is able to
endow people with abilities and capacities without working a
miracle.
But shouldn't everyone give of his means to help the
needy and share the responsibility of spreading the Gospel to the
unforgiven? Sure! We're dealing, here, with
people especially gifted by God. There are many business
people enabled by God to make money so that they can glorify God
through the wise and loving use of their wealth. They
can't "fill pulpits," but they can financially
support those who can. They aren't able to live and
minister the Word in foreign lands, but they gladly use their
wealth in supporting such people. This is the Body at
work.
Those that "rule"
["leadership"--NIV]] are those who "take the
lead"--["govern
diligently"--NIV]. 1 Timothy 5:17
has the same word. So has 1 Thessalonians
5:12. There seems to be no reason to doubt that these
are "elders" or "overseers."
First Timothy and Titus speak of the
qualifications of such men. They are to be
"diligent" in their leading. Eager, vigilant,
watchful. See Ezekiel 34 for the kind of person
the shepherd is to be.
Then there are those who "show mercy."
Don't we have here a personal ministry to the sick, the
bereaved, the people in misery?! Hospital visitation is a
lovely ministry. Not everyone has either the patience or
wisdom to do this well. We all visit hospitals at times, but
there are those who are always welcomed by the sick people because
they are radiant. They are to be
"cheerful." The Greek word gives us our word
"hilarity." Is it easy to do this?
Haven't you heard of "compassion fatigue?"
It takes a wonderful person to be continuously involved in the
needs and woes of those who need mercy, and [still] remain
cheerful. If the one receiving mercy gets the impression the
"shower of mercy" is tired of them, they are often
driven into deep depression. Be sure you are accepting your
limitations before you get involved in serious welfare work for
Christ. Those are rough waters!
