All but three NT occurrences of the word nous are in Paul’s letters. The related verb noeo means to think, perceive, understand. The Greek noun nous was a common term that referred to human intellectual capacity and moral judgment, thus the mind. This same emphasis should characterize churches today. Practical assistance to needy members was a main emphasis of the early churches. This gift is to be exercised with cheerfulness. Mercy is helping the sick, the poor, and the sorrowful. Leading is a gift of vision and direction that is effective but should not be overbearing. Some delight to give out of very small means ( Mk 12:41-44) others give a “reverse tithe”-they give ninety percent and live on ten percent. This gift is similar to the Holy Spirit’s function.

Exhortation is the gift of motivating and encouraging. All believers can teach to some level, but those who have a special facility for teaching are responsible to develop and use it. Parents teach children, older believers teach younger believers, vocational pastor-teachers are the primary instructors in a church, and elders should be able to teach also. It describes not a title or office but a gift of ministry. Service (Gk diakonia) is the origin of the word “deacon.” A deacon here is not a member of a board of directors but a servant. This gift was to be used and measured in concert with the objective body of Christian truths. Prophecy in the NT churches was direct revelation from God before the canon was completed. Only some of the gifts are explained in this present passage. Christians are defined not just by their personal faith but also by their inclusion in local faith fellowships that are expressions of the body of Christ (see 1Co 12:12-31). The NT lists at least seventeen kinds of gifts. Based on Rm 12:3 1Co 12:8-10 Eph 4:11 1Pt 4:10, Christians are given gifts to use for the good of others. Either way, Paul exhorts Christians to be humble and to use what God has given for the good of the body. Others see it as different apportionments of faith. Measure of faith may mean a person should measure himself by the gospel. The mind is changed by prayer, by reading and reflection on God’s Word, by worship, and by meditation on God’s acts as the Holy Spirit works in us.ġ2:3-8 As part of a renewed mind, the Christian is to think wisely about himself and what his function is to be in the body of Christ (the church see 1Co 12:12-28). We should experience a progressive transformation of life by the renewing of our mind. Christians are to be different from non-Christian society. Our true worship entails offering our bodies as a living sacrifice, which means dedication of the total person to living for God’s honor. The order of presentation is doctrine first, and then duty. 12:1-2 Paul commonly used the indicative mode of speech to make statements about what God has done for us before using the imperative mode to outline our proper response (e.g., Therefore.

Bible study notes on romans