Fathers

Romans 12

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Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. For I say through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another, having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us: if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or service, let’s give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching; or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another; not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits. Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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What the Fathers say

Romans 12:7

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering." Here he names a comprehensive thing. For the Apostleship even is called a ministry, and every spiritual work is a ministry. This is indeed a name of a peculiar office (viz. the diaconate); however, it is used in a general sense. "Or he that teacheth, on teaching." See with what indifference he places them, the little first and the great afterwards, again giving us the same lesson, not to be puffed up or elated.

Homily on Romans 21 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

There is a ministry and a special gift in the church order, such as the ministry of the seven deacons. But here by the name "ministry" understand generally every spiritual work. Whatever ministry, he says, you have received, "abide" in the fulfillment of it (this word must be supplied here), do not seek anything greater, and do not exalt yourself above another, but be content with what you have received. If one takes ministry in a general sense, then what follows is an enumeration of its types. …

Commentary on Romans ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

In regard to administering the sacraments he adds: or ministry, in ministering, i.e., if one has received the grace or office of the ministry, such as the bishop or priest who are called God's ministers—you shall be called the priests of the Lord, the ministers of our God (Isa 56:6)—let him perform his office diligently in ministering: fulfill your ministry (2 Tim 4:5). Second, he touches on matters pertinent to human affairs in which one person can help another: first, with respect to knowledge both speculative and practical. …

Commentary on Romans ↗