Romans 12:6-9
Differing ( διαφορα ). Old adjective from διαφερω, to differ, to vary. So Heb 9:10.According to the proportion of our faith ( κατα την αναλογιαν της πιστεως ). The same use of πιστις (faith) as in verse 3 "the measure of faith." Old word. αναλογια (our word "analogy") from αναλογος (analogous, conformable, proportional). Here alone in N.T. The verb προφητευωμεν (present active volitive subjunctive, let us prophesy) must be supplied with which εχοντες agrees. The context calls for the subjective meaning of "faith" rather than the objective and outward standard though πιστις does occur in that sense (Ga 1:23; 3:23).
Let us give ourselves. There is no verb in the Greek. We must supply δÂωμεν εαυτους or some such phrase.
Or he that teacheth ( ειτε ο διδασκων ). Here the construction changes and no longer do we have the accusative case like διακονιαν (general word for Christian service of all kinds including ministers and deacons) as the object of εχοντες, but the nominative articular participle. A new verb must be supplied of which ο διδασκων is the subject as with the succeeding participles through verse 8. Perhaps in each instance the verb is to be repeated from the participle like διδασκετω here (let him teach) or a general term ποιειτω (let him do it) can be used for all of them as seems necessary before "with liberality" in verse 8 ( εν απλοτητ, in simplicity, for which word, see Mt 6:22; 2Co 8:2; 9:11, 13).
He that ruleth ( ο προισταμενος ). "The one standing in front" for which see 1Th 5:12.
With diligence ( εν σπουδη ). "In haste" as if in earnest (Mr 6:25; 2Co 7:11f., 8:8, 16), from σπευδω, to hasten. Again verse 11.
With cheerfulness ( εν ιλαροτητ ). Late word, only here in N.T., from ιλαρος (2Co 9:7) cheerful, hilarious.
Without hypocrisy ( ανυποκριτος ). Late double compound adjective for which see 2Co 6:6. Hypocritical or pretended love is no love at all as Paul describes αγαπη in 1Co 13.
Abhor ( αποστυγουντες ). Old verb with intensive ( απο ) dislike, only here in N.T. The present active participle is here employed in the sense of the present active indicative as sometimes happens with the independent participle (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1132ff.). This same idiom appears with κολλωμενο (cleaving) for which verb see on 1Co 6:17, with προηγουμενο (preferring) in verse 10 (old verb here only in N.T.), and with the participles in verses 11-13 and again in verses 16-18. One can supply εστε if he prefers.
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