Rom 12:5 | MHM | STEP | v. 5 : [4.] Each member holds its place and office for the good of the whole and of every other member. We are members one of another (v. 5). We stand in relation one to another; we are engaged to do all the good we can one to another, and to act in conjunction for the common benefit. See this illustrated at large (1Co. 12:14 , etc.). We must not therefore be puffed up with a conceit of our own attainments, for whatever we have received, we received it not for ourselves alone but for the good of others. A sober use of the gifts that God hath given us. As we must not on the one hand be proud of our talents, so on the other hand we must not bury them. We must not say, "I am nothing, and therefore I will sit still and do nothing," but rather, "I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost in the strength of the grace of Christ." Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us — the free grace of God is the spring and original of all gifts given to men. It is grace that appoints the office, qualifies and inclines the person, and works both to will and to do. There were in the primitive church extraordinary gifts of tongues, of discerning, and of healing; but the apostle here speaks of those that are ordinary. Compare 1Co. 12:4; 1Tim. 4:14 ; 1Pet. 4:10 . Having gifts, then

‏ Romans 12:5

v. 5: [4.] Each member holds its place and office for the good of the whole and of every other member. We are members one of another (v. 5). We stand in relation one to another; we are engaged to do all the good we can one to another, and to act in conjunction for the common benefit. See this illustrated at large (1Co. 12:14 ^a, etc.). We must not therefore be puffed up with a conceit of our own attainments, for whatever we have received, we received it not for ourselves alone but for the good of others.

A sober use of the gifts that God hath given us. As we must not on the one hand be proud of our talents, so on the other hand we must not bury them. We must not say, "I am nothing, and therefore I will sit still and do nothing," but rather, "I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost in the strength of the grace of Christ." Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us — the free grace of God is the spring and original of all gifts given to men. It is grace that appoints the office, qualifies and inclines the person, and works both to will and to do. There were in the primitive church extraordinary gifts of tongues, of discerning, and of healing; but the apostle here speaks of those that are ordinary. Compare 1Co. 12:4; 1Tim. 4:14 ^b; 1Pet. 4:10 ^c. Having gifts, then — let us use them.