Romans 12:3-8

Romans 12:3-8 (WEB) 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 one of another. Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; or service, let us 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.

🔑 Key Points

1. Think Soberly, Not Highly

Paul speaks “through the grace given to me” and says to everyone: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think soberly. In Greek it is the same verb “to think” with a different prefix — a play on words English cannot carry. Sproul argues Paul is talking less about estimation than esteem: don’t let affection for yourself run above the truth.

2. The Cult of Self-Image, and the Other Extreme

Sproul calls our culture’s obsession with self-esteem almost cultic. He tells of an international math test where Korean students ranked last in confidence and first in competency, while American students ranked last in competency and first in self-esteem. We can damage people by tearing them down with needless criticism — and equally by inflating them beyond the truth.

3. Every Christian Has Been Gifted

It troubles Sproul when people speak as if some believers are gifted by the Spirit and others are not. Every Christian has the Spirit, and apart from regeneration the Spirit also distributes abilities to every believer. One of the church’s most important tasks is helping you discover what your gift actually is — which begins with a sober analysis, not flattery.

4. One Body, Many Functions

Paul’s favorite metaphor for the church is a body: many members, different functions, each needing the others. In Corinth the gifts had become a battleground for status; the same thing can happen in any church. We are neither to despise another’s role nor to elevate our own as the end-all of church life. Sproul points to King Uzziah — not content to be king, he seized the priest’s office and died a leper, cut off in shame.

5. Use Your Gift — and Be Content with It

If God gives a gift, He did not give it to be shelved or buried. Prophecy (forthtelling — interpreting and expounding the Word, which continues in the preacher), service, teaching, exhortation — each is to be exercised. Giving is to be done with liberality; Sproul remembers his father, the most generous man he ever knew, who never showed a selfish spirit. Leading requires diligence — his guide Mary in Worms was “always sure, but seldom right.” And mercy must be shown with cheerfulness, never dispensed with a stern face.

💬 Discussion Questions

Where do you tend to estimate yourself above the truth — and where do you despise a gift God has actually given you?
Sproul says the church should help people discover their gifts. Who helped you find yours, and who are you helping?
Paul lists ordinary things — giving, leading, showing mercy — alongside preaching. Which of these has God placed in your hands right now, and how would diligence or cheerfulness change how you do it?

📖 The Passage