Commentaries:
These six verses are all tied together by humility—that one should not think of himself more highly than he ought. God has put us each in the body as it pleases Him, so we should not think that we, as, say, the toe are better than the knee because the toe cannot do the knee's job. God thinks of the toe just as highly as He does of the knee, but if He has put us as a toe, why not in faith do the job of a toe because that is what God wants us to be? If He had wanted us to be a knee, He would have put us in the body as a knee, but He made us to be a toe, so be happy as a toe! Do a toe's work in faith!
Paul tells us to think soberly, logically, and seriously, that as God has dealt to each a measure of faith, we in faith can consider our place in the church and deal with it. So, whatever we are to do, do it! Do it with all the gifts and skills God has given—but do not try to do another's job. It is his job to do diligently, not ours. God put us in the body to do a specific job, our job not his; otherwise, He would have given us his job!
If we have been given the job to exhort, then we should exhort. If it is our job to minister and serve others, serve—but do not take another's job to prophesy. Paul is saying, "In lowliness of mind, be content where you are because God has obviously put you there for a reason. If you do the job God has given you, you are fulfilling His will." The church, then, can be united because the members are not competing over each other's responsibilities.
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Psalm 133 (1998)
Paul counsels all Christians to use the gifts that God has freely given through His Holy Spirit to benefit their brothers and sisters in Christ. While our training and educational processes are individualized, we are all of one body. We may walk different paths, but relaying our perspectives, observations, and gifts from God to one another helps us participate together in reaching the wonderful goal God provides us.
Each week, we gather before God, giving us another opportunity to receive spiritual instruction. On the Sabbath, we hear messages from men who have devoted their lives to studying and sharing the Word of God. Through the inspiration of God's Spirit, they serve us by preaching on various worthwhile, spiritual, and often quite practical subjects.
Each person who hears, having a distinctive perspective, takes a slightly different understanding from each lesson. The subject may seem general to some, but to others, it is as if God were speaking directly to them. Questions they have been praying about may be answered during the message, or a subject they have been studying suddenly becomes clear. God uses many tools to help each of us grow and understand.
Gary Montgomery
A Unique Curriculum (Part Two)
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Romans 12:7:
Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
Matthew 25:15
Matthew 25:15
Hebrews 10:4
1 Peter 4:11
