Romans 12:6

And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;

'having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us' -none of these gifts had been earned or merited. What would be true of spiritual gifts, would also be true of natural abilities.

'whether prophecy' -if your gift happens to be inspired utterance. (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11) Not merely someone who predicted the future, which they sometimes did (Acts 11:27), but rather one who received their message directly from God. (1 Corinthians 14:30; 2 Peter 1:20)

'Paul calls his brothers and sisters to. faithful exercise of their differing capacities.' (McGuiggan p. 365)

Note: Paul just assumes that every Christian 'knows' what they are good at!

'let us prophesy' -i.e. do it!

'according to the proportion of our faith' -'his faith' (NASV) And yet many here take 'faith' as being objective i.e. the contents of Christian doctrine, 'the faith' (Judges 1:3).

'proportion' -ANALOGIA-signified in classical Greek "the right relation, the coincidence or agreement existing or demanded according to the standard of the several relations". (Vine p. 225)

-right relationship, in right relationship to, in agreement with, 'in agreement with the faith' (Arndt p. 57)

1. Since Prophets did have control over their 'gift' (1 Corinthians 14:32), the person with the gift of prophecy is warned, don't claim. message is from God, when it isn't. Only attach God's name to those utterances that are from God and are in agreement with 'our faith'.

2. Simply be content to speak the utterances of God. (Jeremiah 2:25) The same rule would apply to preachers, simply remain content to preach the truth. (1 Peter 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:2)