μέτρον πίστεως and ἀναλογία (12:3–8)

Says μὴ ὑπερφρονεῖν παρ’ ὃ δεῖ φρονεῖν, ἀλλὰ φρονεῖν εἰς τὸ σωφρονεῖν calls for sober judgment, not thinking too highly. Abbott-Smith: ὑπερφρονέω “to be overproud, high-minded”; σωφρονέω “to be of sound mind”.

Says ἑκάστῳ ὡς ὁ θεὸς ἐμέρισεν μέτρον πίστεως (metron pisteōs, “measure of faith”): God has apportioned a measure to each. Abbott-Smith: “That which is measured, measure”.

Uncertain Sphere of faith-service or quantity of faith. Sphere rests on ἐμέρισεν and the differing functions in 12:4–8. Quantity rests on μέτρον as an amount. This note leans to an allotted sphere. Quantity is the alternative.

Says Many members form one body in Christ, and each belongs to the others (12:4–5). RP’s μέλη πολλὰ and ὁ for τό are minor and do not change the sense.

Says The list names seven gifts: prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leading, and mercy (12:6–8). Abbott-Smith: προφητεία “prophecy, prophesying”; ἁπλότης “simplicity, sincerity”; προΐστημι “to preside, rule, govern”; ἱλαρότης “cheerfulness”.

Uncertain κατὰ τὴν ἀναλογίαν τῆς πίστεως. Abbott-Smith: ἀναλογία “proportion”. This note leans to proportion to one’s faith, with 12:3. Conformity to the common faith is the alternative.

Uncertain Exhaustive or illustrative, and extraordinary or ordinary grace-enabled abilities: no lean is taken here. The series can bear either reading, and no further gift is named. Continuationism and cessationism are not settled from this list.