Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 12:8

8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation : he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity ; he that ruleth , with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness .

See the Notes on the foregoing Verse.

i. e. He that hath the office of Collecting and Distributing the Church-Almes (which was the Deacons Work or Charge, Act. 6.1. &c.) Let him discharge it with simplicity, or with singleness of Heart. (So the word is rendred, Eph. 6.5.) Let him do it Faithfully and Impartially, and without Favour or Affection.

Or he that is a President, and set over others. There is great difference amongst Expositors, who is meant by this Ruler. It is not meant of State-Rulers (of them he Treats in the next Chapter) but of Church-Rulers. Some understand, all Church-Officers in general. Others think, such are meant, as were not properly Pastors and Teachers, but together with them had the over-sight of the Church, to Rule the same; to regulate Misdemeanors, to pacify Differences, to administer Discipline in Admonition, and Censures: These they call Seniors or Elders, or the Censors of Manners; and are the same the Apostle calls Governments or Governors, 1 Cor. 12.28. vid. 1. Tim. 5.17.

Some understand this generally of all Christians, that they should be Charitable, and that with Cheerfulness. But the Apostle is yet speaking of the special Offices of the Church: It cannot be meant of Deacons, for as much as he had spoken of them before in this very Verse. Such therefore may be intended, as had the Care assigned them, of the Sick and Impotent, of Prisoners and Strangers, &c. vid. 1 Tim. 5.9. The same, it may be, that he calleth Helps, in 1 Cor. 12.28 This Charge he directeth them to discharge with Cheerfulness; without being weary of that troublesome Work, or being sowre and froward to those they had to do with.

Marginal references: Mat. 6.1, 2, 3.; Or, [illegible: 1 word]; Or, liberality.; 1 Cor. 9.7.