Tag Archives: Romans 12:7

Εἴτε διακονίαν, ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ, εἴτε ὁ διδάσκων, ἐν τῇ διδασκαλίᾳ, (Romans 12:7)

If it is service, in the service; if it is the one who teaches, in the teaching,

Exegetical Analysis

This portion of Paul’s ethical exhortation belongs to a series of elliptical clauses enumerating various spiritual gifts. Each element follows the structure εἴτε… ἐν…, showing both the nature of the gift and the realm in which it should operate. The first term διακονίαν (“service” or “ministry”) is in the accusative, functioning as the conditional object of the implied verb from the previous verse: let us use them. The repetition of ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ (“in the service”) emphasizes that those who serve should remain focused within that sphere.… Learn Koine Greek