Romans 12:7
New International Version
if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;

New Living Translation
If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.

English Standard Version
if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;

Berean Standard Bible
if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

Berean Literal Bible
or service, in the service; or teaching, in the teaching;

King James Bible
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

New King James Version
or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;

New American Standard Bible
if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching;

NASB 1995
if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

NASB 1977
if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

Legacy Standard Bible
or service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;

Amplified Bible
if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching;

Christian Standard Bible
if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching;

American Standard Version
or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;

Contemporary English Version
If we can serve others, we should serve. If we can teach, we should teach.

English Revised Version
or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If your gift is serving, then devote yourself to serving. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching.

Good News Translation
if it is to serve, we should serve; if it is to teach, we should teach;

International Standard Version
If your gift is serving, devote yourself to serving others. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching others.

Majority Standard Bible
if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

NET Bible
If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach;

New Heart English Bible
if service, in the service; if teaching, in the teaching;

Webster's Bible Translation
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching:

Weymouth New Testament
if it is the gift of administration, let the administrator exercise a sound judgement in his duties.

World English Bible
or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
or ministry, in the ministry; or he who is teaching, in the teaching;

Berean Literal Bible
or service, in the service; or teaching, in the teaching;

Young's Literal Translation
or ministration -- 'In the ministration!' or he who is teaching -- 'In the teaching!'

Smith's Literal Translation
Whether service, in service: whether he teaching, in instruction;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Or ministry, in ministering; or he that teacheth, in doctrine;

Catholic Public Domain Version
or ministry, in ministering; or he who teaches, in doctrine;

New American Bible
if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching;

New Revised Standard Version
ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Some have the gift of ministration, in his ministry; and some of teaching, in his teaching.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And one has ministry in his service, and one has that of a teacher in his instruction.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
or, if we have a ministry, let us be active in our ministry; if any one teaches, let him attend to his teaching;

Godbey New Testament
or ministry, it is in the ministry; or he that teacheth, in teaching;

Haweis New Testament
or if the deacon?s office, be active in the service; or he that teacheth, in teaching;

Mace New Testament
if it be the ministry, let him attend on that ministry; and he that teacheth, on teaching; he that exhorteth,

Weymouth New Testament
if it is the gift of administration, let the administrator exercise a sound judgement in his duties.

Worrell New Testament
or ministry, let us labor in the ministry; or he that teaches, in teaching;

Worsley New Testament
or ministry, let us attend to the ministry: or he that teacheth, on teaching: or he that exhorteth, on exhortation:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Living Sacrifices
6We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; 7if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. / There are different ministries, but the same Lord. / There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. ...

1 Peter 4:10-11
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. / If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

2 Timothy 1:6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

1 Corinthians 12:5
There are different ministries, but the same Lord.

1 Corinthians 12:7
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:18
But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.

1 Corinthians 12:29-30
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? / Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

Exodus 31:1-6
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. / And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, ...

Exodus 35:30-35
Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. / And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, / to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, ...

Numbers 11:16-17
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. / And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.

Numbers 11:25
Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again.

Deuteronomy 34:9
Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.


Treasury of Scripture

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching;

ministry.

Isaiah 21:8
And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:

Ezekiel 3:17-21
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me…

Ezekiel 33:7-9
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me…

or he.

Deuteronomy 33:10
They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.

1 Samuel 12:23
Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

Psalm 34:11
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

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Administration Administrator Church Deacon Duties Exercise Gift Judgement Ministering Ministration Ministry Occupy Ourselves Position Power Serve Service Serving Sound Teach Teaches Teacheth Teaching Use Wait
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Administration Administrator Church Deacon Duties Exercise Gift Judgement Ministering Ministration Ministry Occupy Ourselves Position Power Serve Service Serving Sound Teach Teaches Teacheth Teaching Use Wait
Romans 12
1. God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves.
3. No man must think too well of himself;
6. but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed.
9. Love, and many other duties are required of us.
19. Revenge is especially forbidden.














if it is serving
The phrase "if it is serving" in Romans 12:7 from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB) highlights the spiritual gift of service within the body of Christ. The Greek word used here is "diakonia," which refers to ministry or service. This term is foundational in understanding the role of deacons in the early church, as seen in Acts 6:1-6, where the apostles appointed individuals to serve tables so they could focus on prayer and the ministry of the word. The concept of serving is deeply rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus, who exemplified servanthood by washing His disciples' feet (John 13:1-17). In a historical context, service was often seen as a lowly task, yet in the Christian community, it is elevated as a noble and essential function. This phrase encourages believers to embrace their calling to serve others, reflecting Christ's humility and love.

let him serve
The directive "let him serve" emphasizes the active engagement in one's spiritual gift. The Greek verb "diakoneo" is used here, which means to minister or to serve. This is not a passive suggestion but a call to action, urging those with the gift of service to diligently apply themselves in meeting the needs of others. Historically, the early church was marked by its members' willingness to serve one another, as seen in Acts 2:44-45, where believers shared their possessions and resources. This phrase underscores the importance of using one's gifts for the edification of the church and the glory of God. It serves as a reminder that every believer has a role to play in the body of Christ, and through faithful service, the church is strengthened and unified.

(7) Ministry.--The word used is the technical term for the discharge of the office of deacon. The institution of this office is described in Acts 6:1-5. Its object was to provide for the practical business as opposed to the spiritual ministrations of the Church. It included more especially the distribution of alms and the care of the poor, the sick, widows, etc. The functions of the diaconate are called "serving tables" (i.e., in the literal sense, "providing food" for those who needed it) in Acts 6:2-3, and "helps" in 1Corinthians 12:28.

Let us wait on . . .--These words are supplied in the English, "Let us be absorbed in, devoted to, our ministering."

He that teacheth.--Comp. 1Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1Timothy 5:17. It would seem from the first of these passages ("thirdly teachers") that teaching was considered as a special office, though not, perhaps, confined to special persons. . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[if it is]
εἴτε (eite)
Conjunction
Strong's 1535: And if, whether. From ei and te; if too.

serving,
διακονίαν (diakonian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1248: Waiting at table; in a wider sense: service, ministration. From diakonos; attendance; figuratively aid, service.

let him serve;
διακονίᾳ (diakonia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1248: Waiting at table; in a wider sense: service, ministration. From diakonos; attendance; figuratively aid, service.

[if it is]
εἴτε (eite)
Conjunction
Strong's 1535: And if, whether. From ei and te; if too.

teaching,
διδάσκων (didaskōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1321: To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.

let him teach;
διδασκαλίᾳ (didaskalia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1319: Instruction, teaching. From didaskalos; instruction.


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NT Letters: Romans 12:7 Or service let us give ourselves (Rom. Ro)
Romans 12:6
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