12:7a

if: The Greek word here includes the meaning of “or.” A believer may not have the gift of prophecy, but he or she may have the gift of service. For example:

or if

serving: The Greek word here originally focused on giving food to others at meals. It then included helping others in similar ways. Eventually the word became defined by the office of “deacon,” but this definition probably does not apply here. Here are other ways to translate this word:

serving others (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
be a servant to your companions

let him serve: Here this phrase indicates that the believer with the gift of serving should actually serve others. They should do as they are gifted to do. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to serve
-or-
then serve (New International Version (2011))
-or-
he/she must serve
-or-
serve properly

12:7b

if it is teaching: 12:7b begins with the same Greek word that means “or if” as in 12:7a. For example:

or if ⌊you are⌋ the one teaching

The Berean Standard Bible indicates a connection with its semi-colon at the end of 12:7a.

teaching: Here this word implies teaching related to religion, which includes the Old Testament, the gospel of Jesus, faith, Christian living, and so forth. In some languages a literal translation would only refer to teaching as a school teacher, not a religious teacher. If that is true in your language, explain the correct meaning in your translation. For example:

teaches ⌊religion⌋
-or-
teaches ⌊about Jesus⌋

But the context may be enough in imply teaching religion.

let him teach: Here this phrase indicates that the believer with the gift of teaching should actually teach others. They should do as they are gifted to do. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

to teach
-or-
then teach (New International Version (2011))
-or-
he/she must teach
-or-
teach properly

© 2020 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.