Romans 12:1-8. Christian practice as the result of Christian truth: self-dedication to the service of God in the Christian Church 1. _I beseech you therefore_ The Doctrinal Part of the Epistle, strictly so to be called, is now closed. Not that Doctrine, in the special sense of dogmatic revelation,... [ Continue Reading ]
_be not conformed_ Same word as 1 Peter 1:14; (E. V. "not _fashioning yourselves_") The Gr. noun (_schema_) on which the verb rendered "_conform_" is based indicates a _form_external rather than internal, transient or unreal rather than solid and lasting: a "figure." It occurs 1 Corinthians 7:31, (E... [ Continue Reading ]
_the grace given unto me_ His qualifications as an Apostle; inspired authority as the Lord's messenger and interpreter. See Romans 1:5; Romans 15:15-16. Cp. also 1Co 3:10; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:2; Ephesians 3:7-8; for parallels more or less exact to this phrase in this conn... [ Continue Reading ]
_For as we have_ Here first (and last) in this Epistle St Paul uses the simile of the Body and its Limbs, to illustrate the close mutual connexion of the saints. For parallels, see 1 Corinthians 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 4:4-16; Ephesians 5:23-30; Colossians 1:18; Colo... [ Continue Reading ]
_in Christ_ i.e. by virtue of our union with Him. See on Romans 8:1. Cp. also for the profound meaning of the phrase, 2 Corinthians 5:17. _and every one_ Perhaps better, in view of MSS. &c., BUT WITH RESPECT TO INDIVIDUALITY; "as concerns our several positions.... [ Continue Reading ]
_whether prophecy_, &c. The Gr. construction from hence to the end of Romans 12:8 is peculiar, because elliptical; but the E. V. well interprets the ellipses. _prophecy_ Here probably the _charisma_, or special miraculous gift, of preaching; of utterance in the Christian assemblies under immediate... [ Continue Reading ]
_ministry ministering_ Lit. WHETHER SERVICE, IN THE SERVICE. The word rendered "_ministry_" is _diaconia;_(same word as Romans 11:13, where it means the _apostolic_service). It is a largely inclusive word; the main fixed idea being that of active, "practical," duty in the Church, of whatever kind or... [ Continue Reading ]
_he that exhorteth_ Here again a special division of Christian work is alluded to. The "exhortation" was, perhaps, a department of the speaking-duty of the Church less elaborate than the "teaching;" more entirely regarding practice; and allotted more with a view to physical qualifications, as of voi... [ Continue Reading ]
Christian practice: in further detail, with regard to personal and social duty 9. _love_ Lit. THE LOVE; your love, Christian love. _Abhor_, &c. Lit. ABHORRING THE EVIL, CLEAVING TO THE GOOD. Here participles, as very frequently through this context, practically stand for hortative verbs; _describi... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be kindly_, &c. Lit. IN POINT OF YOUR BROTHERLY LOVE [BE] AFFECTIONATE TO ONE ANOTHER. The word rendered "_kindly-affectioned_" has special reference to _family_affection; and probably our Translators had this in view, and used "kindly" in its strict sense; "of the _kind_," "of the stock, or family... [ Continue Reading ]
_not slothful in business_ Better, IN POINT OF EARNEST DILIGENCE, NOT SLOTHFUL. The precept _includes_an exhortation to thoroughness in earthly duty, but much more besides. _fervent in spirit_ Better, AS REGARDS THE SPIRIT, FERVENT. "_The spirit_" here probably means the human spirit, though the gr... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoicing in hope_ Better, IN RESPECT OF THE HOPE, REJOICING. Cp. ch. Romans 5:2; where see note. On this holy gladness cp. also 1 Peter 1:3-9. _patient_, &c. Better, IN RESPECT OF THE TRIBULATION, ENDURING. "_The tribulation:_" i.e. that which as Christians you are sure to find, in one form or an... [ Continue Reading ]
_distributing_ COMMUNICATING, sharing your own with them. This was almost the first instinct of the Church of Christ; and it was felt to be connected naturally with the sublimest truths of eternity. Observe the instant transition from 1 Corinthians 15 to 1 Corinthians 16:1. Cp. Galatians 2:10; Hebre... [ Continue Reading ]
_Bless them which persecute you_ According to the Lord's own express precept; see Luke 6:28. See also His example, Luke 23:34. The Roman Church was not at this time under _special_trial of persecution; so we seem to gather from the general tone of this Epistle. But soon the Neronian persecution was... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoice_, &c. On this beautiful and precious precept, cp. 1 Corinthians 12:26; and see the Lord's example, at Cana and at Bethany. St Paul himself knew how to practise his own precept. (2 Corinthians 2:2-4.)... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be of the same mind_ Cp. Romans 15:5; 1 Peter 3:8. Lit. THINKING THE SAME THING TOWARDS ONE ANOTHER; "actuated by a common and well-understood feeling of mutual allowance and kindness." (Alford.) _Mind not_ The verb (on which see on Romans 8:5) is the same as that just rendered "Be of the … mind;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Recompense to no man_, &c. Matthew 5:39; 1 Thessalonians 5:15, (a pregnant parallel to this context;) 1 Peter 3:9. _Provide things honest_ Lit. THINKING BEFOREHAND HONOURABLE THINGS; using forethought so as to secure the reality and the appearance of rectitude in your life and its surroundings. _i... [ Continue Reading ]
_If it be possible_, &c. Cp. Hebrews 12:14; and see 1 Peter 3:9-13. _as much as lieth in you_ Lit. AS REGARDS WHAT IS ON YOUR SIDE; "_you_" being emphatic here: q. d., "Let the peace, if broken, be broken from _the other_side." The spirit of the Saviour's precepts best illustrates this verse; Matth... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dearly beloved_ Words here conveying a singularly beautiful appeal. The believers are entreated by the voice of love to walk in love. For a remarkable illustration of the precept see 1 Corinthians 6:7; and cp. 1 Peter 2:20-23. _wrath_ Lit. THE WRATH; that of the enemy or oppressor. _Vengeance is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore if thine enemy_, &c. Here again is an O. T. quotation, (Proverbs 25:21-22; nearly verbatim with LXX.,) introduced by the Apostle's "_therefore_," as a practical inference from the previous principles. _thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head_ This phrase has been explained (1) of burnin... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be not overcome_, &c. The verbs are in the singular; individualizing the appeal. The verse runs, lit., BE NOT THOU OVERCOME BY THE EVIL, BUT OVERCOME THE EVIL IN THE GOOD. "_The evil," "the good;_" that of the evil-doer and the sufferer respectively. Q. d., "Do not let his evil principles and acts... [ Continue Reading ]