Question: “IS THE GIFT OF FAITH DIFFERENT FROM THE MEASURE OF FAITH GIVEN TO EVERY MAN?”
Romans 12:1 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.
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.
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 member one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
*I think we can agree that the writer is talking to Believers. The question we ask now; is he still just talking to Believers when he says “every man,” or does he literally mean every man?
This is important, because if he is talking to just Believers, then this is the same faith as mentioned as a “Spiritual Gift” in 1 Corinthians 12. However, if he is literally talking about every man, then this raises the question: “Is the writer differentiating between Unbelievers and Believers when he refers to the “members and body” in verses 4 and 5?”
I agree with Dr. Herbert Lockyer that: “when Paul wrote about God dealing “The Measure of Faith” to every man, He was NOT talking about God measuring out more faith to some than others, but Paul was talking about how the members of the body of Christ were granted different gifts according to the grace of God, and how each member served with those gifts.
When it comes to faith, we see that some “MANIFEST” (display or show (a quality or feeling) by one’s acts or appearance; demonstrate) more faith than others (The greater the manifestation of faith, the greater the experience):
- 27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, thou son of David, have mercy on us. 28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, according to your faith be it unto you. * 30 And their eyes were opened. Matthew 9:27-30A
*The manifestation of THEIR faith; not faith itself.
- “5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. *” Luke 17:1-6
*It is not a greater amount of faith that the disciples seek, but a greater and broader vision of what their faith can accomplish so that they can have a greater manifestation of their faith; thus, allowing them to have a greater experience of their faith.
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- “7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed * Matthew 8:7-8;15:22-28; Luke 7:1-9.
- “30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Matthew 6:30
- “31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? *” Matthew 14:31
- “1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” Romans 14:1
- “5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:5
- “7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7
- “20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith*, praying in the Holy Ghost.”
*This verse is so important because after seeing Peter show us such a fantastic manifestation and experience of faith, we see Jesus scolding him for allowing doubt to diminish such a fantastic exhibition of faith.
Now what are we going to do about Believers who are not EXHIBITING ANY FAITH? We know that they have faith, but yet they do not manifest their faith. For example:
- “40 And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”
Mark 4:40
- “27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” John 20:27
- “17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17
*No manifestation of THEIR faith.
1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts*, brethren*, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
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.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit*; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Hebrews 11*
*No one would declare that any one of these members of the “Hall of Faith” had MORE or a GREATER faith than any other. But one can see where the faith exhibited by some was operating on a different level than others (expound).
CONCLUSION –
When it comes to proper exegesis of scripture, we have to be very careful. We must ALL understand and NEVER forget that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” And that faith begins and ends with Jesus. We were seeking an answer to the question:
“IS THE GIFT OF FAITH DIFFERENT FROM ‘THE MEASURE OF FAITH GIVEN TO EVERY MAN?’”
In our search for this answer, we have discovered a number of facts about people and faith. We have discovered that the bible tells us that:
- Faith is manifested through people.
- The experience of one’s faith is proportionate to one’s manifestation.
- A persons’ manifestation can be strong, weak, little, dead, steadfast, precious, unfeigned, or even absent.
- The same Spirit that grants many other gifts, also grants the gift of faith.
I believe that asking the right questions will lead us to the right answers. I believe that when we ask the question: “Is the writer referring to just Believers when he says “every man,” or does he literally mean every man in Romans 12:3?” For me, the answer to this question gives me the answer to our initial question. When I put together the scriptures that have been presented here, I have my answers to both of these questions.
For those who want anther question to ponder, perhaps you can explain this verse to me: “8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” Acts 6:8; 11:24