THEREFORE (ουν). This inferential participle gathers up all the great argument of Chapter s Romans 12:1-11. Now Paul turns to exhortation (παρακαλω), "I beseech you."BY THE MERCIES (δια των οικτιρμων). "By means of the mercies of God" as shown in his argument and in our lives. See 2 Corinthians... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT FASHIONED (μη συνσχηματιζεσθε). Present passive imperative with μη, stop being fashioned or do not have the habit of being fashioned. Late Greek verb συσχηματιζω, to conform to another's pattern (1 Corinthians 7:31; Philippians 2:7). In N.T. only here and 1 Peter 1:14.ACCORDING TO THIS WOR... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO THINK (μη υπερφρονειν παρ' ο δε φρονειν). Indirect negative command after λεγω (I say). Play on the two infinitives φρονειν, to think, and υπερφρονειν (old verb from υπερφρων, over-proud, here only in N.T.) to "over-think" with παρ' ο (beyond w... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAME OFFICE (την αυτην πραξιν). Mode of acting or function. Cf. Acts 19:18; Romans 8:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SEVERALLY (το δε καθ' εις). A difficult late idiom where the preposition καθ' (κατα) is treated adverbially with no effect on the nominative case εις like υπερ εγω (2 Corinthians 11:23). So εις καθ' εις (Mark 14:19) and in Modern Greek καθεις as a distributive pronoun. But we have καθ' ενα in... [ Continue Reading ]
DIFFERING (διαφορα). Old adjective from διαφερω, to differ, to vary. So Hebrews 9:10.ACCORDING TO THE PROPORTION OF OUR FAITH (κατα την αναλογιαν της πιστεως). The same use of πιστις (faith) as in verse Romans 12:3 "the measure of faith." Old word. αναλογια (our word "analogy") from αναλογος (an... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US GIVE OURSELVES . There is no verb in the Greek. We must supply δÂωμεν εαυτους or some such phrase.OR HE THAT TEACHETH (ειτε ο διδασκων). Here the construction changes and no longer do we have the accusative case like διακονιαν (general word for Christian service of all kinds including min... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT HYPOCRISY (ανυποκριτος). Late double compound adjective for which see 2 Corinthians 6:6. Hypocritical or pretended love is no love at all as Paul describes αγαπη in Romans 12:1.ABHOR (αποστυγουντες). Old verb with intensive (απο) dislike, only here in N.T. The present active participle i... [ Continue Reading ]
IN LOVE OF THE BRETHREN (τη φιλαδελφια). Late word for brotherly love for which see 1 Thessalonians 4:9.TENDERLY AFFECTIONED (φιλοστοργο). Old compound adjective from φιλος and στοργη (mutual love of parents and children), here alone in N.T.... [ Continue Reading ]
SLOTHFUL (οκνηρο). Old adjective from οκνεω, to hesitate, to be slow. Slow and "poky" as in Matthew 25:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
PATIENT IN TRIBULATION (τη θλιψε υπομενοντες). So soon this virtue became a mark of the Christians.... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMUNICATING (κοινωνουντες). "Contributing." From κοινωνεω for which see 2 Corinthians 9:13. Paul had raised a great collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem.GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY (την φιλοξενιαν διωκοντες). "Pursuing (as if in a chase or hunt) hospitality" (φιλοξενια, old word from φιλοξενο... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CURSE NOT (κα μη καταρασθε). Present middle imperative with μη. Like Matthew 5:44 in spirit, not a quotation, but a reminiscence of the words of Jesus. The negative addition gives emphasis. See Luke 6:28 for the old verb καταραομα from καταρα (curse).... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICE (χαιρειν). Present active infinitive of χαιρω, absolute or independent use of the infinitive as if a finite verb as occurs sometimes (Robertson, _Grammar_, pp. 1092ff.). Literally here, "Rejoicing with rejoicing people, weeping with weeping people.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE OF THE SAME MIND (το αυτο φρονουντες). Absolute or independent use of the participle again as with all the participles through verse Romans 12:18, "thinking the same thing."SET NOT YOUR MIND ON HIGH THINGS (μη τα υψηλα φρονουντες). "Not thinking the high things" (υψηλος from υψος, height). C... [ Continue Reading ]
RENDER TO NO MAN (μηδεν αποδιδοντες). "Giving back to no man." Independent participle again.EVIL FOR EVIL (κακον αντ κακου). Directly opposite to the law of retaliation of the Pharisees as in Matthew 5:39; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Corinthians 13:5.TAKE THOUGHT OF (προνοουμενο). "Taking thought... [ Continue Reading ]
AS MUCH AS IN YOU LIETH (το εξ υμων). Accusative of general reference, "so far as what proceeds from you" ("the from you part"). See το κατ' εμε in Romans 1:15. This phrase explains "if it be possible" (ε δυνατον). "All _your_ part is to be peace" (Alford). For "be at peace" (ειρηνευοντες) see 2... [ Continue Reading ]
AVENGE NOT (μη εκδικουντες). Independent participle again of late verb εκδικεω from εκδικος, exacting justice (Romans 13:4). See already Luke 18:5; 2 Corinthians 10:6.BUT GIVE PLACE UNTO WRATH (αλλα δοτε τοπον τη οργη). Second aorist active imperative of διδωμ, to give. "Give room for the (note... [ Continue Reading ]
FEED HIM (ψωμιζε αυτον). Quotation from LXX text of Proverbs 25:21. Present active imperative of verb from ψωμος, a morsel, and so to feed crumbs to babies, then to feed in general. In N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 13:3.THOU SHALT HEAP (σωρευσεις). Future active of old verb σωρευω from σωρος... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT OVERCOME OF EVIL (μη νικω υπο του κακου). Present passive imperative of νικαω, to conquer. "Stop being conquered by the evil (thing or man),"BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD (αλλα νικα εν τω αγαθω το κακον). "But keep on conquering the evil in the good." Drown the evil in the good. Seneca: _V... [ Continue Reading ]