6-8. Having then gifts differing according to the grace given to
us--Here, let it be observed, all the gifts of believers alike are
viewed as communications of mere grace.
whether--we have the gift of
prophecy--that is, of inspired teaching (as in
Ac 15:32).
Anyone speaking with divine authority--whether with reference to the
past, the present, or the future--was termed a prophet
(Ex 7:1).
let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith--rather, "of
our faith." Many Romish expositors and some Protestant (as
CALVIN and
BENGEL, and, though, hesitatingly,
BEZA and
HODGE), render this "the
analogy of faith," understanding by it "the general tenor" or "rule of
faith," divinely delivered to men for their guidance. But this is
against the context, whose object is to show that, as all the gifts of
believers are according to their respective capacity for them, they are
not to be puffed up on account of them, but to use them purely for their
proper ends.
JFB.
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