I beseech (1) you therefore, brethren, (a) by the mercies of God, that ye (b) present your (c) bodies a (d) living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your (e) reasonable service. (1) The fourth part of this epistle, which after the finishing of the principal points of Christian doctri... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your (f) mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (2) The second precept is this, that we do not take other men's opinions or conduct as a rule for life, but that we wholly... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) For I (g) say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not (h) to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think (i) soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of (k) faith. (3) Thirdly, he admonishes us very earnestly that every... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: (4) There are two reasons for the previous precept: the first is because God has not committed everything to be done by every man: and therefore he does backwardly, and unprofitably, and also to the great disserv... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the (l) proportion of faith; (5) That which he spoke before in general, he applies particularly to the holy functions, in which men are in greater danger if they sin. And he... [ Continue Reading ]
Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that (m) teacheth, on teaching; (m) Whose office is only to expound the scriptures.... [ Continue Reading ]
Or he that (n) exhorteth, on exhortation: he that (o) giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that (p) ruleth, with diligence; he that (q) sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (n) Who in other passages is called the "pastor". (o) That is, the alms, that he distributes them faithfully, and without... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) [Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (6) Now he comes to the duties of the second table of the ten commandments, which he derives from charity, which is as it were the fountain of them all. And he defines Christian charity as sincerity, ha... [ Continue Reading ]
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; (r) serving the Lord; (r) This verse is well put, for it makes a distinction between Christian duties, and philosophical duties.... [ Continue Reading ]
(7) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (7) He reckons up different virtues together with their effects, that is, hope, patience in tribulation, evenness of mind, continuance in prayer, liberality towards the saints, hospitality, moderation of mind even in helpi... [ Continue Reading ]
(s) Distributing to the (t) necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (s) A true rule of charity, that we feel for other men's wants as we do for our own, and having that feeling, to help them as much as we can. (t) Not upon pleasures and needless duties, but upon necessary uses.... [ Continue Reading ]
[Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of (u) low estate. Be not (x) wise in your own conceits. (u) There is nothing that disrupts harmony as much as seeking glory, when every man detests a base estate, and ambitiously seeks to be exalted. (x) Do not... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap (y) coals of fire on his head. (y) In this manner Solomon points out the wrath of God which hangs over a man.... [ Continue Reading ]