Charles Ellicott Commentary Romans 12:7

"or ministry, [let us give ourselves] to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;" — Romans 12:7 (ASV)

Ministry.—The word used is the technical term for the discharge of the office of deacon. The institution of this office is described in Acts 6:1-5. Its object was to provide for the practical business as opposed to the spiritual ministrations of the Church. It included especially the distribution of alms and the care of the poor, the sick, widows, etc. The functions of the diaconate are called serving tables (i.e., in the literal sense, “providing food” for those who needed it) in Acts 6:2-3, and helps in 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Let us wait on . . .—These words are supplied in the English, “Let us be absorbed in, devoted to, our ministering.”

He that teacheth.—Compare to 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 5:17. It would seem from the first of these passages (thirdly teachers) that teaching was considered as a special office, though not, perhaps, confined to special persons.