he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Ro 12:6-8).

Before studying any of the gifts, it seems fitting to first clear up some confusion about “he who leads”, that is, the gift of leading. In the truest sense of the word, leading is a greater gift.

The true and certain, regular and ordinary, main Biblical meaning, sense, or use of the word is to lead others vs. follow. For example, in the Greek, “leads” (Ro 12:8) here primarily means to be over, to rule, to have charge over, specifically people, to be exact, God’s people. For example, in the O.T., Moses appointed certain men to be leaders who were also heads of families. “So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and appointed them heads over you, leaders of thousands and of hundreds, of fifties and of tens, and officers for your tribes” (Deut 1:15). To be “head of” someone is to be his leader. For example, in the N.T., “God is the head of Christ” (1 Cor 11:3), meaning that the Father leads the Son.

[1] Any Christian who claims to be a leader in a secondary sense is just being deceptive and misleading. For example, somebody might say, “You could lead a project or task. Therefore, you can be a leader in that sense.” But even the one who claims to be a leader in a secondary or lesser sense is still claiming to be a leader in the church, the kingdom of God. This claim is grossly inaccurate in respect to the very essence, meaning, and purpose of the actual gift of leading. The New Testament does not simply introduce this word “leads” into its text and use it loosely or apply it to everything or every other gift. Instead it links it to having charge over God’s people vs. a task. It is a greater gift than a task manager. In the sense that the word is used and defined by the New Testament, leaders are responsible for the souls of people, not tasks. There is a difference between the two. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account” (He 13:17). And so we see that “leaders” are in charge of “souls”, while the other types of gifts are responsible for ministering to a certain need of a soul (eg. helps, deacons, admins). So in the kingdom of God a true leader is in charge of souls.

[3] Someone might say, “If the greater gifts are the leading gifts then why did Paul separate the gift of ‘leads’ from the gifts of teaching and prophecy in Romans 12:6-8?” Evidently there is one gift that he did not mention in this list which has the ultimate responsibility to lead a church, pastors. Take note, for example, that both Peter and Paul singled out pastors [i.e. shepherds] to take the leading oversight of a church, not teachers or evangelists (Ac 20:17, 28; 1 Pe 5:1-4). In fact, evangelists are to guide/teach churches in selecting pastors (Titus 1:5-14; 1 Tim 3:1-7). So it is understood then that pastoring is the lead gift of a church. It is God’s will that certain men who meet the Biblical requirements/qualities of a pastor [aka elder/overseer] are to lead a church in the truest sense of the word. Biblical tests for the greater gifts, including the gift of pastor, as well as apostle, prophet, evangelist, and teacher are included in this study. You should test yourself for all of the greater gifts.

.... more about this in the Bible Study on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit