A Study on Romans 12
Romans 12 is a fascinating chapter with heaps of advise, in living the Christian walk to getting on with people, and much more practical instruction. Remember always pray for guidance before beginning any Bible study.
12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Paul says I beseech or entreat you to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. We are entreated to keep our bodies holy, and acceptable unto God. This is our reasonable service. God created us and Redeemed us on the Cross of Calvary and it is our reasonable service that we keep ourselves holy unto God. But notice that we of ourselves cannot do this, it is only by the mercies of God that we are able to fit our bodies as acceptable unto Him. It is only after we see our own deficiencies and cry out to God for help, it is then that He will, by His mercy, provide us with the power to overcome.
12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
We must not conform (or comply) ourselves to the world but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Now our old minds that may have been conformed to the world are to be transformed so that we may be living examples of that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
12:3 “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.”
We should not think that we are so high and mighty or we are not to think of ourselves as better than someone else. Instead we are to think soberly and solemnly because we are all different according to the measure of faith that God has given to us.
12:4 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”
This is the key to being able to think soberly, We are to recognize that all of God’s people have different talents, the Minister in the pulpit is as important as the layman out in the field or the missionary in some foreign land. All of us have God given talents and, when used in accordance with Christ will produce a harmony that rivals the most intricate clockwork.
12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 12:8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.”
We all have different gifts or talents according to the grace that is given to us. Whether we have the faith to prophesy, or the gift of ministry, or exhortation (entreating or encouraging).
He that giveth let him do it with simplicity without any outward show, Even though we may never get rewarded openly on this earth, God will bring into light every secret thing whether it be good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14) He that rules let him rule diligently. He that shows mercy with cheerfulness or happiness.
12:9 “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
Let love be without dissimulation or deceit. Love must be pure without any hidden motives. Love without deceit is not a love that is just a front, the true Christian will, from Christ dwelling within, be able to love with a genuine, pure love.
Abhor (or dislike strongly) that which is evil cling to that which is good.
12:10 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
Be Kind and loving towards each other with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another. Studying the Greek word for ‘preferring’ in this verse it more likely means to respect or esteem, So in Honour respecting one another. (this verse does not mean that we are to prefer one person over another)
12:11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”
God asks that we be not slothful or lazy in business, “whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
In contrast to slothfulness be fervent or passionate in spirit, serving the Lord.
12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
The Christian has many things to rejoice over, We have the precious hope of the soon coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we should be rejoicing in this blessed hope!
Whatever trial or tribulation comes our way we have the divine command to be patient in these trials. To be patient in tribulation we need to continue always in prayer. If we are continually in an attitude of prayer, God will give us the needed strength to be patient when things don’t go right, or when trials come to us. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
It is not God’s plan that any should go without, He asks of us to be given to hospitality, distributing to the necessity of saints.
12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Throughout the Bible we see that there is no room for hatred against anyone. We are to bless them which persecute us, and again He says “bless and curse not”. By blessing our persecutors we may be able to shine some of the light of Christ into their lives.
12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Show empathy and understanding with everyone, Rejoice with those who are Rejoicing and Weep with them that weep, is the command given to us.
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.
One of the key factors in unity is being of the same mind or same thinking toward one another, Do not be continually be thinking of high or wise things but come done and meet people where they are at. Do not try to be wise in your own conceits or opinion of yourself.
12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
When some one is Evil toward you do not recompense or retaliate with evil, Instead provide that which is honest and good in the sight of all men. There is very wise counsel in the Bible verses that says
“whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Mathew 5:39-44)
12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
As much as is humanly possible live peaceably among all men. If only more people would take up this charge and the world would be a much more peaceful place!
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.
Two wrongs do not make a right, do not seek to take vengeance out on any one, pray to God and give the grievance to Him, for the Lord says “vengeance is mine and I will repay”
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.
This is a beautiful verse, We are instructed to love our enemies, to bless them, to feed them and to give them drink. How can you be angry to someone who truly loves you and blesses you? This verse basically sums up the commandment “love thy neighbour as thyself” Do good to your enemies and, like coals of fire, their anger will melt away.
To sum this chapter up Paul under the inspiration of God says:
12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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