Categories Bible Study Place
Romans 12
Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
10 thoughts on “Romans 12”
v.10b Honor one another above yourselves
In the Message it comes out this way: practice playing second fiddle.
I use to have a pastor that would quote Spurgeon and say: "It takes more grace than I can tell to play the second fiddle well."
v.1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
"in view of God's mercy" Often we don't stop to think about God's mercy. We don't think of ourselves in need of mercy. Grace maybe, but not mercy. Surely mercy is for hardened criminals not everyday law abiding citizens.
Yet we underestimated God's holiness if we take this view. Even law abiding citizens need God's mercy.
v.2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We will know God's will if our mind is renewed.
v.1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God…
This is addressed to Christians who having experienced God’s mercy and are now urged to dedicate themselves to God. Other versions say, "I beseech you". Rather than a command, it is a request. If it were a command we would feel obligated to comply; as a request, albeit a strong request, it becomes a voluntary respond to what God has done for us. It is possible to be saved but not have made this commitment.
v.3 …in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
It is not about how much faith we can muster up but rather how much faith God has given us.
v.6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Our gifts serve others.
v.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(From Constable Commentary) “Frequent attendance at prayer meetings is one indication of devotion to prayer.”
v.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
The provisos in this verse are interesting, “if it possible” and “as far as it depends on you”. Sometimes it is not possible and sometimes it does not depend on us.
v.20 If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
We can do good to those that oppose us, knowing that God can be trusted to vindicate us.
v.9-21
These instructions are very general not like the specific commands we find in Leviticus. This is because we live under the new covenant.
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