Rom 12:3, 1Cor 12:11 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 3. For I say . The word "for" shows that the apostle is about to introduce some additional considerations to enforce what he had just said; or to show how we may evince a mind that is not con- formed to the world. Through the grace . Through the favour , or in virtue of the favour of the apostolic of[ice. By the authority that is conferred on me to declare the will of God as an apostle. . See also . Not to think , etc. Not to over-estimate himself, or to think more of himself than he ought to. What is the true standard by which we ought to estimate ourselves he immediately adds. This is a caution against pride ; and an exhortation not to judge of ourselves by our talents, wealth, or office, but to form another standard of judging of ourselves, by our Christian character. The Romans would probably be in much danger from this quarter. The prevailing habit of judging among them was according to rank, or wealth, or eloquence, or office. While this habit of judging prevailed in the world around them, there was danger that it might also prevail in the church. And the exhortation was, that they should not judge of their own characters by the usual modes among men, but by their Christian attainments. There is no sin to which men are more prone than an inordinate self-valuation and pride. Instead of judging by that which constitutes true excellence of character, they pride themselves on that which is of no intrinsic value--on rank, and titles, and external accomplishments; or on talents, learning, or wealth. The only true standard of character pertains to the principles of action, or to that which constitutes the moral nature of the man; and to that the apostle calls the Roman people. But to think soberly . Literally, "to think so as to act soberly or wisely." So to estimate ourselves as to act or demean ourselves wisely, prudently, modestly. Those who over-estimate themselves are proud, haughty, foolish in their deportment. Those who think of themselves as they ought, are modest, sober, prudent. There is no way to maintain a wise and proper conduct so certain, as to form a humble and modest estimate of our own character. According as God hath dealt . As God has measured to each one, or apportioned to each one. In this place, the faith which Christians have is traced to God as its Giver. This fact , that God has given it, will be itself one of the most effectual promoters of humility and right feeling. Men commonly regard the objects on which they pride themselves as things of their own creation, or as depending on themselves. But let an object be regarded as the gift of God, and it ceases to excite pride , and the feeling is at once changed into gratitude . He therefore who regards God as the Source of all blessings, and he only, will be a humble man. The measure of faith . The word faith here is evidently put for religion , or Christianity. Faith is a main thing in religion. It constitutes its first demand; and the Christian religion, therefore, is characterized by its faith , or its confidence in God. See . Comp. . We are not therefore to be elated in our view of ourselves; we are not to judge of our own characters by wealth, or talent, or learning; but by our attachment to God, and by the influence of faith on our minds. The meaning is, judge yourselves, or estimate yourselves, by your piety . The propriety of this rule is apparent, (1.) because no other standard is a correct one, or one of value. Our talent, learning, rank, or wealth, is a very improper rule by which to estimate ourselves. All may be wholly unconnected with moral worth; and the worst as well as the best men may possess them. (2.) God will judge us in the day of judgment by our attachment to Christ and his cause, ( ) and that is the true standard by which to estimate ourselves here. (3.) Nothing else will secure and promote humility but this. All other things may produce or promote pride, but this will effectually secure humility. The fact that God has given all that we have; the fact that the poor and obscure may have as true an elevation of character as ourselves; the consciousness of our own imperfections and short-comings in the Christian faith; and the certainty that we are soon to be arraigned to try this great question, whether we have evidence that we are the friends of God, will all tend to promote humbleness of mind, and to bring down our usual inordinate self-estimation. If all Christians judged themselves in this way, it would remove at once no small part of the pride of station and of life from the world, and would produce deep attachment for those who are blessed with the faith of the gospel, though they may be unadorned by any of the wealth or trappings which now promote pride and distinctions among men. (o) "more highly" (1) "to think soberly" "to sobriety"

Romans 12:3

Verse 3. For I say. The word "for" shows that the apostle is about to introduce some additional considerations to enforce what he had just said; or to show how we may evince a mind that is not con- formed to the world.

Through the grace. Through the favour, or in virtue of the favour of the apostolic of[ice. By the authority that is conferred on me to declare the will of God as an apostle. Rom 1:5. See also Gal 1:6,15, 2:9, Eph 3:8, 1Timm 1:14.

Not to think, etc. Not to over-estimate himself, or to think more of himself than he ought to. What is the true standard by which we ought to estimate ourselves he immediately adds. This is a caution against pride; and an exhortation not to judge of ourselves by our talents, wealth, or office, but to form another standard of judging of ourselves, by our Christian character. The Romans would probably be in much danger from this quarter. The prevailing habit of judging among them was according to rank, or wealth, or eloquence, or office. While this habit of judging prevailed in the world around them, there was danger that it might also prevail in the church. And the exhortation was, that they should not judge of their own characters by the usual modes among men, but by their Christian attainments. There is no sin to which men are more prone than an inordinate self-valuation and pride. Instead of judging by that which constitutes true excellence of character, they pride themselves on that which is of no intrinsic value--on rank, and titles, and external accomplishments; or on talents, learning, or wealth. The only true standard of character pertains to the principles of action, or to that which constitutes the moral nature of the man; and to that the apostle calls the Roman people.

But to think soberly. Literally, "to think so as to act soberly or wisely." So to estimate ourselves as to act or demean ourselves wisely, prudently, modestly. Those who over-estimate themselves are proud, haughty, foolish in their deportment. Those who think of themselves as they ought, are modest, sober, prudent. There is no way to maintain a wise and proper conduct so certain, as to form a humble and modest estimate of our own character.

According as God hath dealt. As God has measured to each one, or apportioned to each one. In this place, the faith which Christians have is traced to God as its Giver. This fact, that God has given it, will be itself one of the most effectual promoters of humility and right feeling. Men commonly regard the objects on which they pride themselves as things of their own creation, or as depending on themselves. But let an object be regarded as the gift of God, and it ceases to excite pride, and the feeling is at once changed into gratitude. He therefore who regards God as the Source of all blessings, and he only, will be a humble man.

The measure of faith. The word faith here is evidently put for religion, or Christianity. Faith is a main thing in religion. It constitutes its first demand; and the Christian religion, therefore, is characterized by its faith, or its confidence in God. See Mk 16:16. Comp. Heb 11, Rom 4. We are not therefore to be elated in our view of ourselves; we are not to judge of our own characters by wealth, or talent, or learning; but by our attachment to God, and by the influence of faith on our minds. The meaning is, judge yourselves, or estimate yourselves, by your piety. The propriety of this rule is apparent,

(1.) because no other standard is a correct one, or one of value. Our talent, learning, rank, or wealth, is a very improper rule by which to estimate ourselves. All may be wholly unconnected with moral worth; and the worst as well as the best men may possess them.

(2.) God will judge us in the day of judgment by our attachment to Christ and his cause, (Mt 25) and that is the true standard by which to estimate ourselves here.

(3.) Nothing else will secure and promote humility but this. All other things may produce or promote pride, but this will effectually secure humility. The fact that God has given all that we have; the fact that the poor and obscure may have as true an elevation of character as ourselves; the consciousness of our own imperfections and short-comings in the Christian faith; and the certainty that we are soon to be arraigned to try this great question, whether we have evidence that we are the friends of God, will all tend to promote humbleness of mind, and to bring down our usual inordinate self-estimation. If all Christians judged themselves in this way, it would remove at once no small part of the pride of station and of life from the world, and would produce deep attachment for those who are blessed with the faith of the gospel, though they may be unadorned by any of the wealth or trappings which now promote pride and distinctions among men.

(o) "more highly" Rom 11:20 (1) "to think soberly" "to sobriety"

1 Corinthians 12:11

Verse 11. But all these. All these various endowments.

Worketh. Produces. All these are to be traced to him.

That one and the selfsame Spirit. The Holy Spirit, Acts 2. They were all, though so different in themselves to be traced to the Holy Ghost, just as all the natural endowments of men--their strength, memory, judgment, etc.--though so various in themselves, are to be traced to the same God.

Dividing to every man severally. Conferring on each one as he pleases. He confers on each one that which he sees to be best and most wise and proper.

As he will. As he chooses; or as in his view seems best. Dr. Doddridge remarks, that this word does "not so much express arbitrary pleasure, as a determination founded on wise counsel." It implies, however, that he does it as a sovereign; as he sees to be right and best. He distributes these favours as to him seems best adapted to promote the welfare of the whole church, and to advance his cause. Some of the doctrines which are taught by this verse are the following:

(1.) The Holy Ghost is a person. For he acts as a person; distributes favours, confers endowments and special mercies "as he will." This proves that he is, in some respects, distinguished from the Father and the Son. It would be absurd to say of an attribute of God, that it confers favours, and distributes the various endowments of speaking with tongues, and raising the dead. And if so, then the Holy Ghost is not an attribute of God.

(2.) He is a sovereign. He gives to an as he pleases. In regard to spiritual endowments of the highest order, he deals with men as he does in the common endowments bestowed on men, and as he does in temporal blessings. He does not bestow the same blessings on an, nor make all alike. He dispenses his favours by a rule which he has not made known, but which, We may be assured, is in accordance with wisdom and goodness. He wrongs no one; and he gives to all the favours which might be connected with eternal life.

(3.) No man should be proud of his endowments. Whatever they may be, they are the gifts of God, bestowed by his sovereign will and mercy. But assuredly we should not be proud of that which is the mere gift of another; and which has been bestowed, not in consequence of any merit of ours, but according to his mere sovereign will.

(4.) No man should be depressed, or should despise his own gifts, however humble they may be. In their own place, they may be as important as the higher endowments of others. That God has placed him where he is, or has given less splendid endowments than he has to others, is no fault of his. There is no crime in it; and he should, therefore, strive to improve his "one talent," and to make himself useful in the rank where he is placed. And,

(5.) no man should despise another because he is in a more humble rank, or is less favoured than himself. God has made the difference, and we should respect and honour his arrangements, and should show that respect and honour by regarding with kindness, and treating as fellow-labourers with us, all who occupy a more humble rank than we do.