Romans 12:8 (KJV)

Passage

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Nearby Context

Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Romans 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Romans 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "mercy", "exhorteth", "exhortation", "giveth", "simplicity", "ruleth", "diligence", and "sheweth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "mercy" and "exhorteth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 7's "Or ministry let us wait on our..." into verse 9's "Let love be without dissimulation Abhor that...", so "mercy" and "exhorteth" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "mercy" and "exhorteth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.