12:3 What exactly is Paul telling us here?
12:3 What exactly is Paul telling us here?
The first consequence of being transformed by the renewing of our minds is a new self-understanding. Christians are not to have exaggerated opinions of who they are in Christ (CP V16).
Everyone in the body of Christ has a ministry gift or function and none is more important than another. Ministries differ according to God's grace, but all complement each other and are important to God. (CP V4-8 with 1Cor 12:4-18, 27-30; and Eph 4:7-16). The proportion of faith in Ro12:6 refers to the measure of faith in V3 (CP V3 with V6).
Christians are to appraise and measure their ministry gifting in the body in accordance with the measure of faith God has given to each of us, and we are to operate within that sphere of faith - the bounds of that ministry - not beyond it (CP 2 Cor 10:12-18).
It should be noted here that it is unscriptural and unwise to assume that because someone exercises a spectacular gift that person is more spiritual than one with a less spectacular gift.
Neither does possessing that gift mean that God approves all the possessor does or teaches (CP De 1:17; 16:19; 2 Chr 19:7; Ro 2:10-11; 1 Cor 12:20-25; Jas 2:9). See also comments on 1Cor 12:12-17, 12:28 and 2Cor 10:12.