Romans 12:4–8
One body with many members: each serves with the gift received
Study it word by word4For just as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function,
5so we, the many, are one body in the Messiah, and individually members of one another.
6And having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, if it is prophecy, let it be according to the proportion of faith;
7if service, in serving; if the one who teaches, in teaching;
8if the one who encourages, in encouragement; the one who gives, with generosity; the one who leads, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
In its context
2And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may discern what the will of God is: what is good and pleasing and complete.
3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone who is among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think so as to think soberly, as God has assigned to each a measure of faith.
…
9Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
10In brotherly love be devoted to one another; outdo one another in honor;
Its words in the original
- καθάπερkathaper· just as
"Just as", "even as".
- ἑνὶheni· one
One.
- σώματιsōmati· body
Body.
- πολλὰpolla· much, many
Much, great; in the plural, many.
- μέληmelē· member, part
Member, limb, a part of the body; figuratively, each person as a part of a whole.
- ἔχομενechomen· have
Have, possess, hold.
- πρᾶξινpraxin· deed, function
A deed, what someone does, conduct; also a function or task.
- ἐσμενesmen· be
Be, exist.
- ΧριστῷChristōi· Messiah
Messiah: literally "anointed", the king or envoy God consecrates with oil. It is a title, not a surname; in Hebrew, mashiach.
- ἀλλήλωνallēlōn· one another
One another, each other.
- χαρίσματαcharismata· gift
Gift: a free gift of God's grace, including the abilities he gives for serving others.
- χάρινcharin· grace
Grace, favor.
- δοθεῖσανdotheisan· give
Give.
- διάφοραdiaphora· different, superior
Different, varied; also excellent, superior.
- εἴτεeite· whether, or
"Whether ... or", "if".
- προφητείανprophēteian· prophecy
Prophecy: a message from God spoken by a prophet; also prophesying.
- ἀναλογίανanalogian· proportion
Proportion, the right measure.
- πίστεωςpisteōs· faith
Faith: firm trust in God; also faithfulness.
- διακονίανdiakonian· service, ministry
Service, ministry: the work of a servant; also help sent to those in need.
- διδάσκωνdidaskōn· teach
Teach.
- διδασκαλίᾳdidaskaliai· teaching
Teaching, instruction.
- παρακαλῶνparakalōn· urge, comfort
Call to one's side; plead with, encourage, comfort.
- παρακλήσειparaklēsei· encouragement, comfort
Encouragement, comfort; also an appeal or exhortation.
- μεταδιδοὺςmetadidous· share, give
Share, give a part of what one has.
- ἁπλότητιhaplotēti· generosity, sincerity
Generosity; simplicity, single-heartedness, giving without ulterior motive.
- προϊστάμενοςproistamenos· lead, care for
Lead, be at the head, direct with care; also devote oneself to good works.
- σπουδῇspoudēi· haste, diligence
Haste; also eagerness, diligence.
- ἐλεῶνeleōn· have mercy
Show mercy, take pity; in the passive, receive mercy.
- ἱλαρότητιhilarotēti· cheerfulness
Cheerfulness: gladness in doing something.