The gift of service given to some church members consists of the assistance they provide to others. The word diakonia is very general. It denotes all forms of human assistance and support. The person who provides assistance has no cause to think more highly of herself than she ought. Even a seemingly humble pride is dangerous. Providing service to others must be a genuine service. In Romans 16:1–2 Paul provides an example of such service when he commends the servant, Phoebe, to the Christians in Rome.1
7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;