endowments. The deacons, therefore, were to attend to the poor and the sick, and not attempt to exercise the office of teachers.
Ht that teacheth, on teaching. Teachers are elsewhere expressly- distinguished from prophets, 1 Cor. 12 : 28, 29, " God hath set some in the church ; first, apostles ; secondarily, prophets ; thirdly, teachers. Are all apostles ? are all prophets % are all teachers 1 are all workers of miracles'?" And in this passage they are not to be confounded, nor is teaching to be regarded, in this place, as one peu-t of prophesying. Those who had the gift of prophecy were to exercise it aright ; those who were called to the office of deacons were to devote themselves to their appro- priate duties ; and those who had the gift of teaching were to teach.
(8) He that exhorteth, on exhortation. The word here used means to invite, exhort, and to comfort. Our translators have probably selected the most appropriate sense. There was probably no distinct class of officers called exhorters, as distinguished from teachers ; but as the apostle is speaking of gifts as well as offices, his direction is, that he who had the gift of teaching should teach, and that he who had a gift for exhortation should be content to exhort.
He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that skoweth mercy, with cheerfulness. These directions have reference to the manner in which the duties of church officers and of private Christians ought to be performed. In this connexion, the former no doubt are principally, though not exclusively, intended. He that giveth, with simplicity. This direction, considered in reference to the deacons, whom, no doubt, Paul had principally in view, contemplates their duty of imparting or distributing to the necessity of the saints. This duty they are required to perform with simplicity, i. e. with purity of motive, freQ from all improper designs. This same word is ren- dered singleness of heart in Eph. 6: 5. Col. 3: 22, and occurs, in the same sense, in the phrase " simplicity and godly sincerity," 2 Cor. 1 : 12. Considered in reference to private Christians, this clause may be rendered he that giveth, with liberality -, see 2 Cor. 8:2. 9: 11, 13.
He that ruleth, with diligence. Here again the right discharge of ecclesiastical duties is principally intended ; 1 Thess. 5 : 12, " We be- seech you, brethren, to know (esteem, love) them that are over you in the Lord ;" 1 Tim. 5 : 17, " The elders that rule well." Some of the pres- byters were teachers and others rulers, according to their gifts. Those who were called to exercise the office of ruler were required to do it with diligence, i. e. with attention and zeal. This is opposed to inertness and carelessness. The government of the church, in correcting abuses, pre- venting disorders, and in the administration of discipline, calls for constant vigilance and fidelity.
He that showeth mercy, ivith cheerfulness. As the former direction (he that giveth, with simplicity) had reference to the care of the poor, this relates to the care of the sick and afflicted. These were the two great departments of the deacon's duties. The former was to be dis-
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