The measure of faith ( read patiently )
Chris Onayinka Olusegun
Romans 12:3 KJV
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Faith is a generic word which application differs throughout the scriptures .
A preacher must not just be sound in his interpretation of scriptures but must also be seen as sound
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The rule of bible interpretation demands amongst many others the basic requirement to examine terms in context .
It means to study the pretext and post text and also similar texts and consequently view the text or better still in context .
Also ,the use of corroboration is vital
2 Corinthians 13:1 KJV
[1] This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
[1] This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Witness here deals with relevance .
its critical .
its critical .
Bible explanation is establishing truth within the confines of ONLY what is written .
Acts 17:11-12 KJV
[11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
[12] Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
[11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
[12] Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
I have observed that many teach the subject faith without the observing these realities .
Back to our text
Romans 12:3 KJV
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
To ignore the post and pretext sure robs the text of its truth and God ,his influence in our lives .
Faith has different meanings and applications in scriptures
For example in the letters to Timothy ,paul used faith more for teaching or doctrine .
1 Timothy 4:6 KJV
[6] If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
[6] If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
Good doctrine ,good explanation
1 Timothy 4:12 KJV
[12] Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
[12] Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Same here
1 Timothy 5:8 KJV
[8] But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
[8] But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Denied the teaching by being irresponsible.
1 Timothy 6:12 KJV
[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Good fight here is against wrong teaching about money and materialism not faith for finances etc
Just like Jude
Jude 1:3 KJV
[3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
[3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Contend for sound teaching
2 Timothy 1:13 KJV
[13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
[13] Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Faith here refers to the content of sound doctrine ,faith in Christ Jesus .
2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
[7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
[7] I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Keeping the faith here is staying firm to the truth .
It's not the same as faith used in the case of the woman with the issue of blood
Mark 5:34 KJV
[34] And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
[34] And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
Or the crippled man at lystra
Acts 14:9 KJV
[9] The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
[9] The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Even though they all mentioned faith but context is different
For example the book of Hebrews used faith more for the Old Testament saints expectation of Christ's redemption
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This was their experience before He finished the work .
Today we see Jesus
Hebrews 12:2 KJV
[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We can go on and on..
In the book of Galatians faith was used more in comparison to the works of the law not faith for prayer like James used it
James 1:5-6 KJV
[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Galatians is different
Galatians 3:2,23-24 KJV
[2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
[23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
[24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
[2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
[23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
[24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Just to mention a few references .
The epistles seem to teach faith more as walking in knowledge or better still what you are taught or what Christ has done more than asking for things etc .
Now back to Romans 12:3 again
Was paul referring to all believers receiving same faith at salvation ?
First and foremost the term " The measure of Faith " is not original as quoted in the KJV
It ought to be " A measure of faith"
A Measure in scriptures refers often to a portion ,part of a whole .
So what measure ? What part ? What whole ?
Pretext deals with service
Romans 12:1-2 KJV
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Serving by exhibiting your bodies in its true state and worth ,an instrument of His worship ,renewing your mind to accept this .
Post text is far clearer
Romans 12:4-5 KJV
[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
We are members of His body ,
We have individual and differing functions
Just like he said to Corinth
1 Corinthians 12:12,27 KJV
[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
[27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
The context here is gifts ,we have different functions ,just like the physical body
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 KJV
[28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
[28] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Each part is a measure of the whole .
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 KJV
[4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
[5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
[6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
[4] Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
[5] And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
[6] And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
More precisely in the epistle to the Ephesians
Ephesians 4:7-8,11 KJV
[7] But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
[8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[7] But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
[8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
[11] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Measure of the gift of Christ .
Emphasis was gifts for ministry ,we all have measures ,just like the human body
Ephesians 4:16 KJV
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
This is the same message in Romans 12:3
Romans 12:3 KJV
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Don't think beyond your function in the body of Christ.
Stay in your office as God has dealt to you your measure in the faith ,referring to gifts .
Whilst it's true believers have faith and belong to its Household in Christ ,it's also used for ministry or ministering to others either as a gift
1 Corinthians 12:9 KJV
[9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
[9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
Like healing and miracles
It's in the context of Romans 12:3 used for our ministries in the body of Christ .
So let's re echo Paul by saying ,
DO NOT GO BEYOND THE MEASURE OF MINISTRY GIFT GIVEN TO U IN THE FAITH .
Think soberly .
Hope this is clear ?
You have a blessed week ahead
I call you blessed
Jesus is Lord,We win
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