According to the proportion of faith— This proportion of faith, and the measure of faith, Romans 12:3 seem not to relate to the degree of any gift considered in itself, but rather to the relation and proportion which it bore to the gifts of others: for it is plain, that the Apostle is here exhorting every man to keep soberly withinhis own sphere. It is natural to suppose that the new converts might be puffed up with the several gifts which were bestowed upon them, and every one might be forward to magnifyhis own, to the disparagement of others; which would be attended with bad consequences. Therefore the Apostle advises them to keep every man within his proper sphere; to know and observe the just measure and proportion of his gift, intrusted with him not to gratify his own pride, but to edify the church. Prophesy originally implied the foretelling of the future events relating to the church, to the comfort and edification of the assembly; and those effects generally attending the act of prophesy, in a little time assumed its name: but the proper sense of prophesy is the foretellingof things to come; the import, the interpretation of sacred Scripture; and the explaining of prophesies already delivered. See 1 Corinthians 14:20-32 and for an account of the spiritual gifts and offices in the primitive church, Lord Barrington's Miscell. Sacr. Essay 1:; Benson's History of the first Planting of Christianity, ch. 1. sect. 4, 5 and 1 Corinthians 12:28.; Castalio, Erasmus, Bengelius, and others, connect this with the preceding verse: We are members one of another; but, having gifts differing, &c.
Related Commentaries of Romans 12:6
Romans 12:6
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;