Verse 6 The word prophecy, in the New Testament, generally refers to the public preaching of the gospel, in the exercise of the higher spiritual gifts. The specifications which follow, Romans 12:6-8, are to be understood as referring not to distinct and separate offices, as has been sometimes supposed, but to the different classes of duties which devolved upon the various individuals of the church, arising either from offices which they held, or from their peculiar characteristics or positions. The general meaning is, that, whatever may be the peculiar duties which the individual is called upon to perform, according to his talents or position or circumstances he should give himself cheerfully to the work, feeling that he is thus coöperating with all his brethren, and that his brethren are coöperating with him.