Romans 12
12
Sacrifice of Body and Mind. 1#The Mosaic code included elaborate directions on sacrifices and other cultic observances. The gospel, however, invites believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1). Instead of being limited by specific legal maxims, Christians are liberated for the exercise of good judgment as they are confronted with the many and varied decisions required in the course of daily life. To assist them, God distributes a variety of gifts to the fellowship of believers, including those of prophecy, teaching, and exhortation (Rom 12:6–8). Prophets assist the community to understand the will of God as it applies to the present situation (Rom 12:6). Teachers help people to understand themselves and their responsibilities in relation to others (Rom 12:7). One who exhorts offers encouragement to the community to exercise their faith in the performance of all that is pleasing to God (Rom 12:8). Indeed, this very section, beginning with Rom 12:1, is a specimen of Paul’s own style of exhortation. I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.#2 Cor 1:3 / Rom 6:13; 1 Pt 2:5. 2Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.#Eph 4:17, 22–23; 1 Pt 1:14 / Eph 5:10, 17; Phil 1:10.
Many Parts in One Body. 3#15:15 / Phil 2:3 / 1 Cor 12:11; Eph 4:7. For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned. 4#1 Cor 12:12, 27; Eph 4:25. For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5so we, though many, are one body in Christ#One body in Christ: on the church as the body of Christ, see 1 Cor 12:12–27. and individually parts of one another. 6#1 Cor 12:4–11, 28–31; Eph 4:7–12; 1 Pt 4:10–11 / 2 Cor 9:7. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them:#Everyone has some gift that can be used for the benefit of the community. When the instruction on justification through faith is correctly grasped, the possessor of a gift will understand that it is not an instrument of self-aggrandizement. Possession of a gift is not an index to quality of faith. Rather, the gift is a challenge to faithful use. if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; 7if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; 8if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others,#Over others: usually taken to mean “rule over” but possibly “serve as a patron.” Wealthier members in Greco-Roman communities were frequently asked to assist in public service projects. In view of the references to contributing in generosity and to acts of mercy, Paul may have in mind people like Phoebe (Rom 16:1–2), who is called a benefactor (or “patron”) because of the services she rendered to many Christians, including Paul. with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Mutual Love. 9Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good;#2 Cor 6:6; 1 Tm 1:5; 1 Pt 1:22 / Am 5:15. 10love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor.#Jn 13:34; 1 Thes 4:9; 1 Pt 2:17; 2 Pt 1:7 / Phil 2:3. 11Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.#Acts 18:25. 12Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.#5:2–3; Col 4:2; 1 Thes 5:17. 13Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,#Heb 13:2; 1 Pt 4:9. exercise hospitality. 14#Since God has justified the believers, it is not necessary for them to take justice into their own hands by taking vengeance. God will ultimately deal justly with all, including those who inflict injury on the believers. This question of personal rights as a matter of justice prepares the way for more detailed consideration of the state as adjudicator. Bless those who persecute [you],#Mt 5:38–48; 1 Cor 4:12; 1 Pt 3:9. bless and do not curse them.#Lk 6:27–28. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.#Ps 35:13; Sir 7:34; 1 Cor 12:26. 16Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation.#15:5; Phil 2:2–3 / Rom 11:20; Prv 3:7; Is 5:21. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.#Prv 3:4; 1 Thes 5:15; 1 Pt 3:9. 18If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.#Heb 12:14. 19Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”#Lv 19:18; Dt 32:35, 41; Mt 5:39; 1 Cor 6:6–7; Heb 10:30. 20Rather, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.”#Prv 25:21–22; Mt 5:44. 21Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.
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Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc
Romans 12
12
A Living Sacrifice
1 #
1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 10:1; Eph. 4:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,#12:1 Or brothers and sisters by the mercies of God, #ch. 6:13, 16, 19; [Ps. 50:13, 14; 1 Cor. 6:20]; See 1 Pet. 2:5 to present your bodies #Heb. 10:20as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.#12:1 Or your rational service 2#1 Pet. 1:14; [1 John 2:15] Do not be conformed to this world,#12:2 Greek age but be transformed by #Titus 3:5; [Ps. 51:10; 2 Cor. 4:16; Eph. 4:23; Col. 3:10] the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may #Eph. 5:10; 1 Thess. 4:3discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.#12:2 Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God
Gifts of Grace
3For #See ch. 1:5 by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you #ver. 16; ch. 11:20 not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, #1 Cor. 7:17 each according to #Eph. 4:7the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For #1 Cor. 12:12-14; Eph. 4:4, 16as in one body we have many members,#12:4 Greek parts; also verse 5 and the members do not all have the same function, 5so we, #1 Cor. 10:17, 33 though many, #1 Cor. 12:20; Eph. 4:13; See John 17:11 are one body in Christ, and individually #Eph. 4:25; [1 Cor. 6:15; 12:27]members one of another. 6#1 Cor. 12:4; 1 Pet. 4:10, 11; [1 Cor. 7:7; 12:7-11] Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if #1 Cor. 12:10; See Acts 13:1 prophecy, #[2 Tim. 2:15]in proportion to our faith; 7if #See Acts 6:1service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; #1 Tim. 5:17; [1 Cor. 12:28] the one who leads,#12:8 Or gives aid with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with #2 Cor. 9:7cheerfulness.
Marks of the True Christian
9 #
2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:22 Let love be genuine. #Ps. 97:10; 101:3; Amos 5:15; [1 Thess. 5:21, 22]Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10#See Heb. 13:1 Love one another with brotherly affection. #ch. 13:7; Phil. 2:3; 1 Pet. 2:17Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, #Acts 18:25 be fervent in spirit,#12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit #Acts 20:19serve the Lord. 12#See ch. 5:2 Rejoice in hope, #See Heb. 10:36 be patient in tribulation, #See Acts 1:14be constant in prayer. 13#ch. 15:25; 1 Cor. 16:1, 15; 2 Cor. 9:1, 12; Heb. 6:10; 13:16; [1 Tim. 6:18] Contribute to the needs of the saints and #See Matt. 25:35seek to show hospitality.
14 # See Matt. 5:44; 1 Pet. 3:9 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15#1 Cor. 12:26; [Job 30:25; Heb. 13:3]Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16#ch. 15:5; 2 Cor. 13:11; Phil. 2:2; 4:2; 1 Pet. 3:8 Live in harmony with one another. #ver. 3; Ps. 131:1; Jer. 45:5 Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.#12:16 Or give yourselves to humble tasks #ch. 11:25; Prov. 3:7Never be wise in your own sight. 17#Prov. 20:22; Matt. 5:39; [ch. 14:19] Repay no one evil for evil, but #2 Cor. 8:21; [ch. 14:16]give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, #See Mark 9:50live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, #Prov. 20:22; Matt. 5:39; [ch. 14:19] never avenge yourselves, but leave it#12:19 Greek give place to the wrath of God, for it is written, #Heb. 10:30; Cited from Deut. 32:35; [Ps. 94:1; 1 Thess. 4:6]“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20To the contrary, #Cited from Prov. 25:21, 22; [Ex. 23:4, 5; 2 Kgs. 6:22; Luke 6:27]“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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