Helps

Helps is a translation of the Greek word antilepsis. It is used nowhere else in Scripture. This Greek word is a derivative of antilambano, meaning to help or to support, which is used in Acts 20:35: "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" It thus appears that the gift of helps is an unusual willingness to "help out", that is, to do whatever is needed. There are many in the church who are willing to work tirelessly in support roles, never coming before the public eye, content just to serve.

Such service is needed just as much as the more flashy ministries. While a church cannot function without leaders, neither can it function without janitors. 1 Corinthians 12:12-25 says that "those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another."

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