[The theme of this great Epistle is that "the righteous shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17), and its grand conclusion is that those who seek life this way find it, and all who seek it in other ways fail (Romans 9:30-33). But the popular way of seeking it was by obeying the precepts of the great moral... [ Continue Reading ]
And be not fashioned according to this world [or, literally, "age"]: _but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God_. [Here the apostle shows in general terms by what manner of life the demanded sacrifice is rendered or... [ Continue Reading ]
[Having defined the faith-life as sacrificial and sanctified, the apostle next points out the principal virtues which it must manifest in the several spheres of its activities. The first sphere is the church, and the first virtue enjoined therein is humility.] _For I say_ ["For" is epexigetical; i.... [ Continue Reading ]
For [also epexigetical. See verse 3] _even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office_ :... [ Continue Reading ]
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another. [As God gives to each member of the human body its several function for the good of the whole body, so he distributed the miraculous gifts of the Spirit to the different members of the Roman church for the good of the... [ Continue Reading ]
And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith [It would be as unreasonable and unwise to give all Christians the same gift as it would be to give all the members of the body the same function. Since,... [ Continue Reading ]
or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching [Most of the spiritual gifts of Paul's day were either wholly supernatural or shaded into the miraculous, and, as miracles have ceased, it becomes hard for us to-day to accurately define gifts which have passed... [ Continue Reading ]
or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality [Exhortation is addressed to the feeling as teaching is to the understanding. It is used to stir or excite people, whether of the church or not, to do their duty. As endowed or spiritually gifted Christians of that... [ Continue Reading ]
[In the last section we were told that spiritual and remarkable gifts are to be exercised in humility. This section deals with the ordinary and natural gifts, and is therefore addressed to the whole church. It shows that these ordinary, natural gifts or faculties are to be employed in harmony with t... [ Continue Reading ]
In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another ["tenderly affectioned" is a word compounded of philos, loving, and stergos, which is from stergeoo, to feel natural affection, as an animal for its offspring, a parent for its child, a near relative for... [ Continue Reading ]
in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord [These three commands refer more especially to the outward life of the Christian. In all matters of employment, whether religious or secular, be active and energetic (Ecclesiastes 9:10), let your activities be vital with enthusiasm ("fer... [ Continue Reading ]
rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer [In this triplet the apostle directs the manner in which the Christian life is to inwardly manifest its love toward God. The hopes of his begetting which make bright the future are to fill it with joy; the chastisements of hi... [ Continue Reading ]
communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. ["Communicating" (koinoonountes) means, literally, to be or act as a partner. Sometimes it means to receive (Romans 15:27; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Timothy 5:22). Here, as in Galatians 6:6; it means to bestow. The wants and needs of God's... [ Continue Reading ]
Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. ["Thus," says Johnson, "did Christ on the cross, and the martyred Stephen." The apostle here drops into the imperative because quoting from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:44 : Luke 6:28). We would expect to find this command classified among d... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoice with them that rejoice [1 Corinthians 12:26]; _weep with them that weep_. ["One might think," says Chrysostom, "it was no difficult task to rejoice with others. Put it is harder than to weep with them. For that is done even by the natural man when he beholds a friend in distress. There is ne... [ Continue Reading ]
Be of the same mind one toward another. [A general repetition of the special command just given. Enter into the mind or feeling of your brother, whether in joy or sorrow. In the mental and sentimental sphere keep the Golden Rule with him.] _Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things... [ Continue Reading ]
Render to no man evil for evil. [Quoted from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38-48). The precept bids us reject the lex talionis, and live contrary to it: it commands us to eschew both the spirit and practice of vindictiveness. "The heathen," says Burkitt, "reckoned revenge as a part of justice,... [ Continue Reading ]
If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. [It takes two to live at peace. So far as the Christian is concerned, the rule of peace is absolute. He must stir up no needless opposition, he must avoid every act likely to give offense, he must harbor no resentment. But, so far... [ Continue Reading ]
Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. [The quotation is from Deuteronomy 32:35. We may look upon verse 17 as designed to check hasty, personal retaliation, or as relating to injuries of... [ Continue Reading ]
But [instead of avenging] _if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head_. [Quoted from Proverbs 25:21-22 LXX., where the words, "And Jehovah will reward thee," are added. Simply to forbear from avenging is only half a v... [ Continue Reading ]
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. [Evil is the weak weapon of the sinner; goodness, the puissant, all-conquering blade of the saint. What shame, then, if the saint lose in the unequal conflict! "Thus David overcame Saul" (Trapp). "In revenge," says Basil, "he is the loser who is... [ Continue Reading ]