Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 12:6

"And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of our faith;" — Romans 12:6 (ASV)

Gifts differing according to the grace.—The English loses a point here. The word translated "gifts" means specially "gifts of grace," grace here standing for the operation of the Spirit. Different kinds of grace, with different forms of expression, are given to different individuals, and they are to be cherished and used accordingly.

Prophecy.—The gift of prophecy is treated at length in 1 Corinthians 14. From the detailed description given there, we gather that it was a kind of powerful and inspired preaching which, unlike the gift of tongues, was strictly within the control of the person who possessed it. What precise relation this bore to the prediction of future events, mentioned in Acts 11:27-28; Acts 21:10–11, does not appear.

According to the proportion of faith.—It seems best to take this, not as having reference to the objective rule of faith or doctrine, the due proportions of which are to be preserved, but rather of the active faculty of faith present in the one who prophesies. It would then be very nearly equivalent to the condition above—according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. The prophet is to let their utterances be regulated strictly by the degree of faith of which they are conscious within themselves. The inward inspiration and the outward deliverance must keep pace, and advance step by step together. Preaching in which this proportion is not observed is sure to become rhetorical and insincere.