Romans 12
EverettRomans 12:1-15
Practical Applications of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Our Everyday Lives – After Paul declares the Gospel in the first eleven chapters, he devotes rest of the chapters to the practical application of the Gospel in the life of the individual. This two-fold aspect of doctrinal and practical teachings is typical of the Pauline epistles. Romans 1:16-17 serves as a summary of the Gospel of Jesus, which Paul spends much of this Epistle expanding upon. These are the key verses of the book of Romans in which Paul declares the power of the Gospel, revealing God’s plan of redemption for mankind. The Almighty God will affect His purpose and plan for man through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He will spend the first eleven chapters show to us God’s role in bringing about this Plan of Redemption to mankind. He will take the rest of his Epistle teach us our role in supporting this plan in the societies that each of us live in, as we apply the Gospel to our relationships with others. Paul explains how believers, both Jews and Gentiles, are united as one body in Christ (Romans 12:1-8). The Church is also united within a society, so that this obligates us to social duties with our fellow man (Romans 12:9-21). The Church is also related to the government of that society. Therefore, it has civil duties in relation to its leaders (Romans 13:1-7). These civil duties do not conflict with the Mosaic Law found within Scripture. In fact, these principles are found within the Law (Romans 13:8-10).
Paul then exhorts the church at Rome to treat one’s fellow believer with love as an example to the society and government in which they live (Romans 13:11 to Romans 15:13). Christ’s eminent return is reason enough to follow Paul’s exhortations (Romans 13:11-14). He takes a special problem, which is foods, to show the believers how to work together despite their differences (Romans 14:1 to Romans 15:13). Thus, we see in a nutshell how to apply the Gospel in our relationship to the Church, to society in general, to governmental authorities, and finally to individual believers. We see that the Church is structured within the society, which is structured under a ruling government. Within this structure, the believers are to be an example of love in how they treat one another so that the society of unbelievers may see the love of God.
This is how the Gospel is taken to a nation, which is the third and supporting theme of Romans. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:
- The Gospel in Relation to One Body in Christ — Romans 12:1-82. The Gospel in Relation to Social Duties — Romans 12:9-213. The Gospel in Relation to Civil Duties — Romans 13:1-74. The Gospel in Relation to the Law — Romans 13:8-105. The Gospel in Relation to Other Believers — Romans 13:11 to Romans 15:13 Application of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Living Sacrifices - Paul now leaves the doctrinal teachings found in the first major part of this epistle (1-11) and moves into exhortations on how to apply these divine doctrines to daily life (12-15).
After having explained how God is still working in the nation of Israel as well as the Church to fulfill all things according to His election through divine foreknowledge, Paul first calls them all, both Jewish and Gentile converts in the church at Rome, to unity in the body of Christ (Romans 12:1-8). They are also to conduct themselves in the love of God towards the society in which they live (Romans 12:9-21), knowing that they are a light to the world and God wants to redeem all men. Although the Jews in Rome as well as in Palestine were considered troublesome by Roman officials, Paul exhorts the Church at Rome to set themselves as examples of respectable citizens by being submission to government authority (Romans 13:1-7). In doing this, they are not breaking the Mosaic Laws, but rather fulfilling them (Romans 13:8-10). Paul then writes a lengthy passage to the church at Rome discussing particular issues that explain how to walk in love among themselves, in light of the fact that the Day of the Lord’s Return is near (Romans 13:11 to Romans 15:13). Since Romans 12:1-2 command us to give ourselves to God as a servant, the following passages show us how to give ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. Romans 13:14 seems to summarize these two verses, since it is a closing verse to these two chapters. Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 12-15 serve to show how the believers in Rome could offer themselves as a living sacrifice; in their relationships with one another, with society and under government authorities.
Romans 12:9-21
The Gospel in Relation to Social Duties – Romans 12:9-12 focuses on the church’s social duty to society. The Church is also united within a society, so that this obligates us to social duties with our fellow man (Romans 12:9-21). In contrast to dealing with those who have particular gifts in Romans 12:6-8, Romans 12:9-21 deals with virtues in which all members of the body of Christ must walk. However, just as Paul dealt with the priority of the love walk after teaching on the gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12-14, so does he follow a teaching of the gifts with a passage on love. Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:9 — “Let love be without dissimulation” - Word Study on “without dissimulation” – Strong says the Greek word “without dissimulation” (ἀνυπόκριτος) (G505) means, “undissembled, sincere, without dissimulaton (hypocrisy).” Comments - Kenneth Hagin says “dissimulation” means “to pretend, pretension.” He says that many people pretend to love others, but do not actually walk in love with their neighbours.[211] [211] Kenneth Hagin, Love the Way to Victory (Tulsa, Oklahoma: Faith Library Publications, c1994, 1995), 239.Word Study on “cleave” – The Greek word “cleave” (κολλάω) (G5823) means “to glue, stick.” Comments - In the same way that Paul undergirds the operation of the gifts of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 by following it with an entire chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13), so does Paul do the same after presenting the spiritual gifts of Christian service in Romans 12:6-8. In order for them to be used effectively and long-term, they must all be undergirded with the love walk. We serve God with our individual gifts and callings as an act of love. Our motive is not to exalt ourselves, but to build up others in the body of Christ. Paul tells us to let our acts of love towards others be from our heart, genuine, and not by pretending in order to please people. Paul then proceeds to give examples of this genuine love walk amongst society in the rest of this passage of Rom 12:9 b-21. Illustration - A good example of a man who had genuine love and abhorred evil was Job (Job 1:1). Job 1:1, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:10 — Word Study on “kindly affectioned” – Strong says the Greek word “kindly affectioned” (φιλόστοργος) (G5387) means, “cherishing one’s kindred, especially parents or children, fond of natural relatives, i.e. fraternal toward fellow Christians.” BDAG says it means, “loving dearly.” Romans 12:10 — Word Study on “preferring” - Strong says the Greek word “preferring” (προηγέομαι) (G4285) means, “to lead the way for others, i.e. show deference.” BDAG says it means, “to try to outdo one another in showing respect.” Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Romans 12:11 — “Not slothful in business” - Word Study on “business” – Strong says the Greek word “business” (ὀκνηρός) (G3636) literally means, “tardy, i.e. indolent,” and figuratively, “irksome.” BDAG says it means, “idle, lazy, indolent.” Romans 12:11 — “fervent in spirit” – Word Study on “fervent” - Strong says the Greek word “fervent” (ζέω) (G2204) literally means, “to be hot,” and figuratively, “to be fervid, (earnest).” BDAG says it means, “boil, seethe.” Comments - The RSV reads, “Be aglow with the Spirit.” Goodspeed says, “Be on fire with the Spirit.” Kenneth Hagin says this phrase means, “Be filled with the Spirit.”[212] [212] Kenneth Hagin, Following God’s Plan For Your Life (Tulsa, Oklahoma: Faith Library Publications, c1993, 1994), 23.We can recognize those who are “aglow” with the Spirit. For example, in Acts 6:1-3, the twelve apostles told the believers in Jerusalem to “look out” for seven men who were aglow with the Holy Spirit, full of wisdom and honest. Thus, this attribute is recognizable. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Romans 12:12 — “patient in tribulation” - Word Study on “patient” – Strong says the Greek word “patient” (ὑπομένω) (G5278) literally means, “to stay under (behind),” and figuratively, “to undergo, i.e., bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere.” Romans 12:12 — “continuing instant in prayer” – Word Study on “continuing instant” – Strong says the Greek word “continuing instant” (προσκαρτερέω) (G4342) means, “to be earnest towards, to persevere, to be constantly diligent.” Comments – We could translate the phrase to mean, “devoted to prayer.” Note: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Romans 12:13 — “Distributing to the necessity of saints” - Word Study on “distributing” - Strong says the Greek word, “distributing” (κοινωνέω) (G2841) means, “to share with others.” Comments - Note our responsibility to the brethren: Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Romans 12:13 — “given to hospitality” - Word Study on “given to” - Strong says the Greek word, “given to” (διώκω) (G1377) means, “to pursue.” Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15 — Comments - Life is a mixture, or balance with, times of rejoicing and weeping. If we rejoice all the time, we would lose focus on the vanity and suffering of this life. If we weep and had no joy, we would lose focus upon the blessings of God that are all around us each day. People who take illegal drugs and indulge in alcohol do so in order to escape their miseries and find a period of rejoicing. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 12:16 — “Be of the same mind one toward another” - Comments - 1 Peter 3:8 gives us an amplified meaning of this phrase. Note: 1 Peter 3:8, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:” Romans 12:16 — “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate” – Word Study of “mind” – Strong says the Greek word “mind” (φρονέω) (G5426) means, “to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion.” “associate.” BDAG says it means, “set one’s mind on, be intent on.” Word Study of “condescend” – Strong says the Greek word “condescend” (συναπάγω) (G4879) means, “to take off together, i.e. transport with (seduce, yield).” BDAG say it means, “to accommodate yourself to humble ways.” Scripture References - Note similar verses: James 1:9-10, “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.” James 2:5, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” Romans 12:16 — “Be not wise in your own conceits” – Scripture References - Note similar verses: Proverbs 3:7, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Isaiah 5:21, “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” Romans 12:16 — Comments – Romans 12:16 is essentially a restatement of Rom 12:3 in which Paul says, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” The message is the same, exhorting every believer to walk in humility with one another. Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:17 — “Recompense to no man evil for evil” - Word Study on “recompense” – Strong says the Greek word “recompense” (ἀποδίδωμι) (G591) means, “to give away, i.e. up, over, back.” BDAG says it means, “to give away, give up, give out.” Illustration - On the Thanksgiving eve of 1982, Steve and Lynn Everett’s car had its back windshield smashed with a concrete block by a group of young men driving by their house. They had to make the decision to forgive and to not pay back the villains that did this evil deed. Romans 12:17 — “Provide things honest in the sight of all men” – Comments - The ASV reads, “Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men.” Illustration - One day, while doing handiwork for a living in the mid-1980’s, I was given US$ 230 in cash from a customer in order to purchase construction materials for his home. Since I could not get to the job immediately to begin work, as I had told them, I delivered the materials at this home. I then left a note that I would begin work in the morning. I was trying to show myself as an honest individual, even to this lost man and wife. While unloading the materials that day, the Lord quickened this verse to me, showing me how I was walking the Word of God. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18 — “as much as lieth in you” – Comments - The Greek literally reads, “the thing from you (your part or role).” Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19 — “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath” – Comments - When someone does us wrong, God knows that we immediately feel anger and wrath. Romans 12:19 tells us not to yield ourselves to these feelings and perform our own method of vengeance. I have learned to hold my tongue and give myself time to calm down before responding to matters that anger me. Illustration (1) – David was a man who learned to let God avenge his enemies. Many of the psalms are prayers to God in which he delivers his enemies over to God’s wrath. Illustration (2) - We take vengeance many times with the tongue. 1 Corinthians 6:7, “Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?” Matthew 5:39, “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Illustration (3) - In Mowat Junior High School, I was once slapped on both sides of cheek by another student named Ricky Langford. He slapped my first cheek, and I remembered Matthew 5:39, so I turned the other cheek, and he slapped it also. In the summer of 1982, this same young man shared his conversion testimony with me in the Springfield Methodist Church in Panama City, Florida. He later joined a church that I was pastoring. I became his pastor for a while. Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 — “Be not overcome of evil” – Comments - Do not be overcome by evil. If overcoming evil with good is not practiced in a church body, strive comes, followed by division, then ruin (Matthew 12:25). Matthew 12:25, “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:” Romans 12:21 — Comments - Anger can become a stronghold in a person’s life if he continually gives place to it. The continual practice of responding in anger causes it to become a part of our character. The Scriptures teach us not to respond to our feelings of anger, but rather, train ourselves by responding with good works. For most, if not all, of us this is a learning process that is being worked out in us by the Holy Spirit.