Devine Scripture

Romans 12:8

What does Romans 12:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 12:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 12:8 means

Exhorters should exhort—urging, encouraging, and comforting with truth and wisdom. Givers should give with liberality—open-handed sincerity, not reluctance or display. Leaders should govern with diligence—steadiness, care, and foresight, not laziness or tyranny. Those who show mercy should do so cheerfully—glad to relieve suffering, not resentful or gloomy. Each pairing highlights not only the function but the manner suited to it. God cares about how we serve as well as what we do. Right attitudes adorn the gospel and prevent misuse of gifts. Grace produces both capacity and the character that makes service fruitful and pleasing to God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He who has the power of comforting, let him do so; he who gives, let him give freely; he who has the power of ruling, let him do it with a serious mind; he who has mercy on others, let it be with joy.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

or he who is exhorting--`In the exhortation!' he who is sharing--`In simplicity!' he who is leading--`In diligence?' he who is doing kindness--`In cheerfulness.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He that exhorteth, in exhorting; he that giveth, with simplicity; he that ruleth, with carefulness; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

or he that exhorts, in exhortation; he that gives, in simplicity; he that leads, with diligence; he that shews mercy, with cheerfulness.

Context

Paul completes his sampling of gifts by coupling specific ministries with the dispositions that fit them. Having stressed humility and belonging, he now illustrates the beautiful variety of service within the body. The list leads naturally into the broader moral exhortations beginning in verse 9, where love stands at the center. The transition matters: gifts are to be governed by love and exercised in a way consistent with God’s character, not as mere tasks. The church’s life thrives when gifts operate in love’s atmosphere.

v.7or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;

v.8This passage

v.9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 112:9

    He hath dispersed, he hath given to the needy; His righteousness endureth for ever: His horn shall be exalted with honor.

  • Hebrews 13:7

    Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.

  • 1 Timothy 4:13

    Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.

  • Ecclesiastes 11:6

    In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

  • Luke 21:1

    And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury.

  • Romans 12:13

    communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Romans 12

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Romans 12.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Romans 12:8.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary