ACC ~ Romans 12 v7

SERVING AND TEACHING IN PROPORTION TO FAITH. ORIGEN: These things must both be done “in proportion to our faith,” as Paul says [in the previous verse]. For many who received this ministry claimed to know more than they ought to know and, puffed up with pride or lost in their fantasies, they fell headlong. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

IF TEACHERS, IN YOUR TEACHING. APOLLINARIS OF LAODICEA: The teacher must remain in subjection to the prophets, according to the established order, for the prophets are second (after the apostles) and the teachers are third.In fact, teachers are interpreters of the prophetic word, because they have heard and understood it with their ears and seen it with their eyes. For the prophets themselves called those whom they had taught to serve in the ministry of teaching. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

IF SERVICE, IN YOUR SERVING. AMBROSIASTER: The minister is strengthened for the service of the church to the extent that he believes he ought to serve, lest he labor beyond his faith and exhaust himself in serving to his ruin. … Likewise Paul says that the teacher is aided in his teaching so that he will be inspired to transmit the divine doctrine to the extent that he has the faith to teach. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

CHRYSOSTOM: The word service is comprehensive, covering everything from the apostleship itself to any spiritual function. It is indeed the name of a particular office [viz., the diaconate], but here it is used in a general sense. HOMILIES ON ROMANS 21.

PELAGIUS: “Service” refers to the office of elder or deacon. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

THEODORET OF CYR: “Service” means the preaching of the Word; “teaching” means instruction in the commands of God. INTERPRETATION OF THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS.

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