To encourage others is also rendered in a variety of ways: “exhorts” (Revised Standard Version); “the gift of stirring speech” (New English Bible); “let the preachers deliver sermons” (Jerusalem Bible); “the speaker his words of counsel” (Moffatt). In light of the fact that this gift is mentioned immediately after that of teaching, the work of the preacher is suggested, and the meaning of his role seems to be that of offering encouragement to other believers.

Generously (Revised Standard Version “in liberality”; An American Translation* “with generosity”) is generally assumed to be the meaning of the word that Paul uses, though some see in it the meaning of “with sincerity” (New English Bible “with all your heart”).

Whoever has authority or “if you are a leader” (New English Bible) are accurate translations of the Greek term that Paul uses here, since it appears that he uses it in a nontechnical sense. “He who gives aid” (Revised Standard Version) and “he who rules” (New American Bible) seem to suggest the wrong meaning, while “the officials” (Jerusalem Bible), “the office-holder” (An American Translation*), and “the superintendent” (Moffatt) are too highly specialized.

Must work hard should not be rendered in such a way as to imply mere “physical labor.” The focus here is upon “exercising authority with diligence” or “doing what he should do with energy” or “… conscientiousness.”

The final clause must do it cheerfully may be rendered in some languages as “should do it while smiling” or “should do it but remain happy.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .