Romans 12:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Complete Jewish Bible:

if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and exhort; if you are someone who gives, do it simply and generously; if you are in a position of leadership, lead with diligence and zeal; if you are one who does acts of mercy, do them cheerfully.

Berean Standard Bible:

if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

American Standard Version:

or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Or^{G1535} he that exhorteth^{G3870}, on^{G1722} exhortation^{G3874}: he that giveth^{G3330}, let him do it with^{G1722} simplicity^{G572}; he that ruleth^{G4291}, with^{G1722} diligence^{G4710}; he that sheweth mercy^{G1653}, with^{G1722} cheerfulness^{G2432}.

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Commentary for Romans 12:8

Romans 12:8 is a verse from the New Testament, specifically from the epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Rome. This letter was likely written in the mid-50s AD during Paul's third missionary journey, a time when the early Christian church was spreading throughout the Roman Empire and encountering various challenges, including persecution and doctrinal disputes.

In this verse, Paul is providing guidance on how Christians should exercise their spiritual gifts within the church community. He addresses four specific roles or gifts:

1. **The Exhorter**: This person is gifted in encouraging and uplifting others. Paul advises that they should do so with fervor in their encouragement, suggesting that their words should be heartfelt and sincere, aimed at building up the faith of others.

2. **The Giver**: Those with the gift of giving should practice simplicity, meaning their generosity should be without pretense or ulterior motives. Their contributions should be straightforward and pure, focused on the needs of others rather than on receiving recognition or favor.

3. **The Leader**: Leaders in the church are instructed to rule with diligence. This implies that they should be conscientious in their responsibilities, attentive to the needs of the community, and faithful stewards of their authority, leading with commitment and zeal.

4. **The Merciful**: Those who show mercy are to do so with cheerfulness. This means that acts of kindness and forgiveness should not be done reluctantly or under compulsion but with a joyful heart, recognizing that mercy is both a blessing to the receiver and a reflection of God's grace to the giver.

The historical context of Romans 12:8 reflects the early church's efforts to establish a communal life that was distinct from the prevailing culture of Rome, which often valued power, status, and public displays of wealth and piety. Paul's instructions emphasize humility, sincerity, and wholehearted service to others as hallmarks of Christian conduct. This verse encapsulates the ethos of Christian living, where each believer's unique gifts are to be used in service to the community, fostering unity and glorifying God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1535
   There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴτε
   Transliteration: eíte
   Pronunciation: i'-teh
   Description: from εἰ and τέ; if too:--if, or, whether.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3870
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παρακαλέω
   Transliteration: parakaléō
   Pronunciation: par-ak-al-eh'-o
   Description: from παρά and καλέω; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3874
   There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παράκλησις
   Transliteration: paráklēsis
   Pronunciation: par-ak'-lay-sis
   Description: from παρακαλέω; imploration, hortation, solace:--comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3330
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μεταδίδωμι
   Transliteration: metadídōmi
   Pronunciation: met-ad-id'-o-mee
   Description: from μετά and δίδωμι; to give over, i.e. share:--give, impart.
   
6. Strong's Number: G572
   There are 2972 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἁπλότης
   Transliteration: haplótēs
   Pronunciation: hap-lot'-ace
   Description: from ἁπλοῦς; singleness, i.e. (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation or self-seeking), or (objectively) generosity (copious bestowal):--bountifulness, liberal(-ity), simplicity, singleness.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4291
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: προΐστημι
   Transliteration: proḯstēmi
   Pronunciation: pro-is'-tay-mee
   Description: from πρό and ἵστημι; to stand before, i.e. (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practise:--maintain, be over, rule.
   
8. Strong's Number: G4710
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σπουδή
   Transliteration: spoudḗ
   Pronunciation: spoo-day'
   Description: from σπεύδω; "speed", i.e. (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness:--business, (earnest) care(-fulness), diligence, forwardness, haste.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1653
   There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐλεέω
   Transliteration: eleéō
   Pronunciation: el-eh-eh'-o
   Description: from ἔλεος; to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace):--have compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on).
   
10. Strong's Number: G2432
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἱλαρότης
    Transliteration: hilarótēs
    Pronunciation: hil-ar-ot'-ace
    Description: from ἱλαρός; alacrity:--cheerfulness.