SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:8
el que exhorta, en exhortar; el que reparte, hgalo en simplicidad; el que preside, en solicitud; el que hace misericordia, en alegría.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 12:8
Verse 8. Or he that exhorteth] o parakalwn, The person who admonished and reprehended the unruly or disorderly; and who supported the weak and comforted the penitents, and those who were under heaviness through manifold temptations. He that giveth] He who distributeth the alms of the Church, with simplicity-being influenced by no partiality, but dividing to each according to the necessity of his case.
He that ruleth] o proistamenov, He that presides over a particular business; but as the verb proistamai also signifies to defend or patronize, it is probably used here to signify receiving and providing for strangers, and especially the persecuted who were obliged to leave their own homes, and were destitute, afflicted, and tormented. It might also imply the persons whose business it was to receive and entertain the apostolical teachers who traveled from place to place, establishing and confirming the Churches. In this sense the word prostativ is applied to Phoebe, chap. xvi. 2: She hath been a succourER of many, and of myself also. The apostle directs that this office should be executed with diligence, that such destitute persons should have their necessities as promptly and as amply supplied as possible.
He that showeth mercy] Let the person who is called to perform any act of compassion or mercy to the wretched do it, not grudgingly nor of necessity, but from a spirit of pure benevolence and sympathy. The poor are often both wicked and worthless: and, if those who are called to minister to them as stewards, overseers, &c., do not take care, they will get their hearts hardened with the frequent proofs they will have of deception, lying, idleness, &c. And on this account it is that so many of those who have been called to minister to the poor in parishes, workhouses, and religious societies, when they come to relinquish their employment find that many of their moral feelings have been considerably blunted; and perhaps the only reward they get for their services is the character of being hard-hearted. If whatever is done in this way be not done unto the Lord, it can never be done with cheerfulness.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation , etc..] This is the other branch of prophesying or preaching, and which is more practical, and lies in giving a word of exhortation to the saints, as their particular cases call for; for as prophets were teachers, ( Acts 13:1); so also exhorters, ( Acts 15:32); and one considerable branch of the ministry, and which is more principally the pastor's work, as well as to teach, is to exhort all sorts of persons, young and old, rich and poor, high and low, bond and free, under his care, with all longsuffering and doctrine. The words will bear to be read, he that comforteth, on consolation; and so the Syriac version renders them, haywbb wh anaybmd tyaw , and another who is a comforter, in his consolation. Though all the ministers of the Gospel are to speak comfortably to the saints, by preaching the doctrines of free justification by Christ's righteousness, and remission of sins by his blood, by bringing the good news of salvation by him, and by opening the exceeding great and precious promises of the Gospel; yet some have a greater talent this way than others; some are Boanergeses, sons of thunder, ( Mark 3:17), and others Barnabases, sons of consolation, ( Acts 4:36); and each should attend to that with all diligence and humility, he is best qualified for. He that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity . Here begins the subdivision of the deacon's office into its several branches, giving, ruling, and showing mercy: by giving is meant, not giving of his own, or performing: acts of charity, which is common to all the members of the church, who ought liberally to contribute to the relief of the poor; but imparting or distributing the church's money to proper objects, which is to be done with simplicity; with all faithfulness and integrity, without fraud or embezzling the church's stock, with impartiality, and without respect of persons, and liberally and bountifully, as the word here used signifies; (see 2 Corinthians 8:2 9:13); he that ruleth, with diligence ; deacons are the helps, governments, mentioned in ( 1 Corinthians 12:28), who are assisting to the pastor in the government of the church; their business is, to observe the conversations of the members of the church, and to warn them that are unruly and walk disorderly, to compose differences, and prepare matters to lay before the church; a deacon is proistamenov , one that goes before; and leads on others by way of example in his conduct and conversation; or as the Syriac renders it, ayrb aqd , that stands at the head of affairs in the church; in the management of which he ought to use all study, thoughtfulness, care and diligence: he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness ; which is not to be understood of showing compassion to miserable objects in common, or of giving alms to necessitous persons, and which ought to be done according to the Jewish canons, twpy ynp rbsb , with a cheerful countenance; and is what is highly pleasing to God, who loves a cheerful giver: but of a branch of the deacon's office, whose work, among other things, is to visit the sick and distressed, and communicate to them as their wants require; all which should be done, not in a morose and frowning manner, but with a pleasant look and cheerful countenance, which makes the visit and the gift more welcome, acceptable, and useful.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-8 - Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and arme against it. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Hea of the body, and the common Centre of their unity. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. We are to do all the good we can, one to another and for the common benefit. If we duly thought about the powers we have, and how far we fail properly to improve them, it would humble us But as we must not be proud of our talents, so we must take heed lest under a pretence of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in layin out ourselves for the good of others. We must not say, I am nothing therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. Whatever our gifts or situations ma be, let us try to employ ourselves humbly, diligently, cheerfully, an in simplicity; not seeking our own credit or profit, but the good of many, for this world and that which is to come.
Greek Textus Receptus
ειτε 1535 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM παρακαλων 3870 5723 V-PAP-NSM εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF παρακλησει 3874 N-DSF ο 3588 T-NSM μεταδιδους 3330 5723 V-PAP-NSM εν 1722 PREP απλοτητι 572 N-DSF ο 3588 T-NSM προισταμενος 4291 5734 V-PMP-NSM εν 1722 PREP σπουδη 4710 N-DSF ο 3588 T-NSM ελεων 1653 5723 V-PAP-NSM εν 1722 PREP ιλαροτητι 2432 N-DSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. Exhortation. Aimed at the heart and will. See on consolation, Luke vi. 24. Compare 1 Cor. xiv. 3; Acts iv. 36, where Rev. gives son of exhortation.He that giveth (o metadidouv). Earthly possessions. The preposition meta indicates sharing with. He that imparteth. Compare Eph. iv. 28; Luke iii. 11.
Simplicity (aplothti). See on single, Matt. vi. 22, and compare James i. 5, where it is said that God gives aJplwv simply. See note there. In 2 Corinthians viii. 2; ix. 11, 13, the A.V. gives liberality; and in Jas. i. 5, liberally. Rev. accepts this in the last-named passage, but gives singleness in margin. In all the others liberality is, at best, very doubtful. The sense is unusual, and the rendering simplicity or singleness is defensible in all the passages.
He that ruleth (o proistamenov). Lit., he that is placed in front. The reference is to any position involving superintendence. No special ecclesiastical office is meant. Compare Tit. iii. 8, to maintain good works; the idea of presiding over running into that of carrying on or practicing. See note there. Compare also prostativ succorer, Rom. xvi. 2, and see note.
With diligence (en spoudh). See on Jude 3. In Mark vi. 25; Luke i. 39, it is rendered haste. In 2 Cor. vii. 11, carefulness (Rev., earnest care). In 2 Cor. vii. 12, care (Rev., earnest care). In 2 Cor. viii. 8, forwardness (Rev., earnestness). In 2 Cor. viii. 16, earnest care. With cheerfulness (en ilarothti). Only here in the New Testament. It reappears in the Latin hilaritas; English, hilarity, exhilarate. "The joyful eagerness, the amiable grace, the affability going the length of gayety, which make the visitor a sunbeam penetrating into the sick-chamber, and to the heart of the afflicted."
