Chapter # 12 Paragraph # 2 Study # 9
April 13, 2010
Lincolnton, N.C.
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1769 Translation:
8 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.
1901 ASV Translation:
8 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.
- I. Paul's Focus Upon the Grace-Gifts.
- A. His "selectivity".
- B. His fundamental understanding.
- C. His instruction.
- 1. Critical to understanding is the issue of "definitions"; thus, we must be sure we understand to some degree that which Paul addresses and not be taken in by those who would distort the definitions in order to take advantage of others.
- 2. Those who have the ability to "prophesy" are to "prophesy" according to the "apportioned faith" given to them.
- 3. Those who have the ability to "minister" are to so "minister".
- 4. The list runs through "teaching", "exhortation", "giving", "ruling", and "showing mercy".
- a. Teaching.
- b. Exhortation.
- c. Giving.
- d. Ruling.
- 1) There are two major ways this word is used in the New Testament.
- a) It is the term used when one is looking at the exercise of authority in the local church (1 Thessalonians 5:12). It is used several times to refer to the way a father makes sure his household is not allowing disobedience to flourish for want of corrective action (1 Timothy 3:4; 3:5; and 3:12). This focus upon "not allowing..." rather than "setting the direction..." is interesting. The gift comes down as a matter of "protecting" the church from destructive termites (small but capable errors).
- b) It is also the term used when one is looking at "making sure something is not allowed to lapse" (Titus 3:8 and 3:14).
- 2) The main issue of this "grace/faith-function" is that of maintaining a godly agenda and order. This gift, with this main issue, is specifically concerned with the big ticket items of defining what is important (Love) and how that important issue will be pursued (Faith).
- 3) The characterization of the function of this "gift": diligence. The word is used in the New Testament to communicate a certain determination of focus that disallows a matter to slip under the radar. We see this in Mark 5:25 and Luke 1:39. Its verbal form also indicates a kind of "immediacy" of action that sees a task as needing immediate pursuit (Luke 2:16 and Acts 20:18).
- e. Showing Mercy.