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ROMANS CHAPTER 12
OBSERVATION STAGE
The purpose of
the observation stage is to maintain focus on the text at hand within the
normative rules of language, context and logic 
which limits the observer to the content offered by the book of Romans.
This will serve to avoid going on unnecessary tangents elsewhere; and more
importantly, it will provide the framework for a proper and objective
comparison with passages located elsewhere in Scripture.
Remember that something elsewhere may be true, but in the text at hand it may not be in view.
*** EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 11 ***
(Ro 11:11 NAS) "I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. (Ro 11:12 NAS) Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! (Ro 11:15 NKJV) For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Ro 11:25 NAS) For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery - so that you will not be wise in your own estimation - that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Ro 11:26 NAS) and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob; [Isa 59:20-21; 27:9] (Ro 11:27 NKJV) For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.' (Ro 11:28 NKJV) Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers (Ro 11:29 NKJV) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Ro 11:30 NKJV) For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, (Ro 11:31 NKJV) even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy." =
Paul addresses
Gentiles of the reconciled group of the world comprised of Gentiles and
Jews, faithful servants of the LORD, (Ro 11:15). He tells them that they
were once disobedient to God yet have now obtained God's mercy, (Ro 11:30)
- a gracious, temporal reconciliation with the LORD as His chosen people
to represent Him and His grace gospel. Paul indicates that the Gentiles'
opportunity to be reconciled with God was as a result of the disobedience
of generations of unbelieving Israelites through God's sovereign election
and partial hardening of Israel, (Ro 11:15, 25). So Israel's disobedience
gave occasion to a group chosen by God - comprised of individuals of the
world, Gentiles and Jews alike - to become faithful servants of the LORD -
to be reconciled to him by His grace in a unique temporal relationship as
His chosen people to represent Him and His grace gospel to the world. Note
that for a group of individuals to become faithful servants of the LORD,
it requires each individual to express a moment of faith alone in Christ
alone unto eternal life and then be enabled by the grace of God to be
faithful, (Ro 9:30-33
, 10:9-10 ).
(Ro 11:11 NAS) "I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. (Ro 11:12 NAS) Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! (Ro 11:13 NKJV) For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify ["doxazO" = glorify] my ministry, (Ro 11:14 NKJV) if ["pOs" = perhaps] I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. (Ro 11:15 NKJV) For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Ro 11:25 NAS) For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery - so that you will not be wise in your own estimation - that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Ro 11:26 NAS) and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob; [Isa 59:20-21; 27:9] (Ro 11:27 NKJV) For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.' (Ro 11:28 NKJV) Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers (Ro 11:29 NKJV) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Ro 11:30 NKJV) For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, (Ro 11:31 NKJV) even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy." =
Due to the occasion of the group of Gentile believers receiving God's mercy as a result of committing Israel to her natural tendency to be disobedient, future generations of Israel will become the recipient of God's mercy of temporal deliverance / reconciliation with the LORD. This will occur when "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in," i.e., the complete number of Gentiles have become believers and "The Deliverer [Redeemer, Jesus Christ comes]... from Zion," (Ro 11:25-26).
(Ro 11:11 NAS) "I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. (Ro 11:12 NAS) Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! (Ro 11:15 NKJV) For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Ro 11:25 NAS) For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery - so that you will not be wise in your own estimation - that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Ro 11:26 NAS) and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob; [Isa 59:20-21; 27:9] (Ro 11:27 NKJV) For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.' (Ro 11:28 NKJV) Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers (Ro 11:29 NKJV) For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Ro 11:30 NKJV) For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, (Ro 11:31 NKJV) even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. (Ro 11:32 NKJV) For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all." =
When God hardened generations of Israel in their unbelief and consequent unfaithfulness, in essence He committed them to their willful disobedience, (Ro 11:32). God did this so that the world, with Gentiles especially in view, the latter also being characterized as disobedient, would obtain God's mercy in spite of their transgressions - those that choose to become believers. On the other hand and in like manner, future generations of Israel through the mercy God bestowed upon the Gentiles, will also obtain mercy.
Paul explains that God has committed all groups of mankind, Jews and Gentiles alike to disobedience - their natural and willful tendency - that He might have mercy on them all. The result of His committment to disobedience is their hardened determination to be what they naturally are: willfully disobedient to God, making them all candidates for His mercy - temporal deliverance / reconciliation and eternal salvation solely through the grace of God.
*** END OF EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 11 ***
(Ro 12:1 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."
(Ro 11:30 NKJV) For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, (Ro 11:31 NKJV) even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. (Ro 11:32 NKJV) For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. (Ro 11:33 NKJV) Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! [Isa 40:13] (Ro 11:34 NKJV) For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor? (Ro 11:35 NKJV) Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him? [Job 41:11] (Ro 11:36 NKJV) For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Ro 12:1 NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies [lit, as a living sacrifice], holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." =
The phrase in Ro 12:1, "Therefore I urge you, brothers" refers to Gentile believers, i.e., "brothers" with Paul relative to having in common, saving faith in Jesus Christ unto eternal life, (Ro 1:6-7). The Greek word "parakaleO" rendered "I urge" in the NIV conveys authoritative exhortation from Paul, an Apostle appointed by God, (Ro 1:1). The last seven verses of Romans chapter 11, (11:30-36), are a precursor to chapter 12, hence chapter twelve begins with the word rendered, "Therefore." The verses reflect upon the sovereignty; the infinite unsearchable wisdom and the unfathomable mercy of God Who has committed all mankind to disobedience in order to bestow mercy upon them all - a key theme expounded upon in the book of Romans from chapters 1 through 11. Chapters 1 through 11 are a doctrinal exposition of God's mercy being bestowed upon mankind resulting in eternal salvation and temporal deliverance / reconciliation for those who become believers in His Son as Messiah-Savior and thereafter are enabled to become faithful servants of the LORD respectively. Thereafter, beginning in Romans chapter 12, the Apostle Paul, continuing to address Gentile believers, authoritatively urged, i.e., exhorted his "brothers" in the faith, that in view of the mercy bestowed upon them by the LORD, their response should be to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to the LORD, holy and pleasing to God. Paul defines this response as their spiritual act of worship.
The Greek phrase in Ro 12:1
"parastEsai ta ..sOmata humOn ......thusian ...zOsan
"to present .the bodies ...your ....[a] sacrifice .living
hagian, .euareston ......tO theO"
holy, .....well pleasing .to .God"
rendered "to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" in the NIV in verse 12:1 conveys the idea of the Gentile believer, (and by implication, all believers), choosing to serve God with every member of their bodies. This must include the believer's volition as well as the members of his physical body as expressed in every thought, word and deed. Hence Ro 12:1 refers to Gentile believers (and by implication all believers) offering to God their thoughts, words and deeds as a living / daily sacrifice to God resulting in a pleasing obedience which is holy = set apart to the service of the LORD such that it is actually a spiritual act of worship as verse 12:1 stipulates. Such living sacrificial action as opposed to the sacrifice of a dead animal, portrays the individual's ongoing, daily dedication and devotion to God and His standard of holiness.
[BKC, p. 487]:
"Paul divided several of his letters into two major sections, a doctrinal portion and a practical one. He followed that pattern in this epistle too, though the doctrinal part is more than twice as long as the practical...
12:1-2. The start of this practical section is indicated by Paul's exhortation I urge (the first word of v. 1 in the Gr. text.). Therefore also shows a transition ... The basis of Paul's exhortation is God's mercy... God's compassion has been described in detail in the first 11 chapters of Romans. The content of Paul's urging is to offer your bodies (cf. Rom 6:13) as living sacrifices... The word 'bodies,' mindful of the Old Testament sacrifices, represents the totality of one's life and activities, of which his body is the vehicle of expression. In contrast with Old Testament sacrifices this is a 'living' sacrifice. Such an offering is holy (set apart) and pleasing... to God. Furthermore, it is spiritual (logikEn...) worship (latreian). Latreian refers to any ministry performed for God, such as that of the priests and the Levites... A believer's offering of his total life as a sacrifice to God is therefore sacred service. In the light of Paul's closely reasoned and finely argued exposition of the mercies of God (Rom 1-11), such an offering is obviously a desirable response for believers."
(Ro 12:2 NIV) "Do not conform any longer 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."
(Ro 11:30 NKJV) "For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience (Ro 12:1 NIV)Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Ro 12:2 NIV) Do not conform any longer 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." =
In view of the mercy God has shown Gentile believers as detailed in Romans chapters 1-11, Paul continues in verse 12:2 to expound upon his authoritative exhortation of Gentile believers to offer their bodies as a living / daily sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God as an act of spiritual worship of the LORD in 12:1: They are not to conform any longer to the pattern of this world - evidently a pattern which is ungodly. They are to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, via incorporating godliness into their thoughts, words and deeds daily, with the result of being successfully tested relative to living according to God's good, pleasing and perfect will, (Ro 12:2b). Note that the two Greek verbs in 12:2, "suschEmatizesthe" rendered [do not] conform (NIV) and "metamorphousthe" rendered "be transformed" (NIV) are in the imperative mood, signifying commands.
Evidently the renewing of ones mind comes from information from God through the writing of Paul and all Scripture. So by reading Paul's letter to the Roman Gentile believers and the rest of God's Word, one can renew ones mind, the source of personal transformation unto holiness and godliness.
(Ro 12:3 NIV) "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."
(Ro 11:30 NKJV) "For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience. (Ro 12:1 NIV)Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Ro 12:2 NIV) Do not conform any longer 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. (Ro 12:3 NIV)For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." =
Verse 3 begins with "For" = because. The word signifies that what follows is a further explanation of Paul's authoritative exhortation to Gentile believers in verse 2 of not choosing to be conformed any longer to the godless pattern of this world, but instead to be transformed unto God's good, pleasing and perfect will by the renewing of their minds in order to successfully test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will. And that explanation is presented in view of the grace given by God to Paul = God's unmerited favor bestowed upon him especially in the form of Apostleship authority and revelation for the specific purpose of exhorting Gentile believers to offer their thoughts, words and deeds to God in response to the mercies God bestowed upon them. Evidently Paul experienced God's mercy and was graciously provided with revelation from God which he implies was conveyed to the Gentile believers in the previous chapters in Romans. He implies that the Gentile believers are vulnerable to unholy action and need to know what God's good, pleasing and perfect will is and then be enabled to obey it. Paul says that the Gentile believers are not to think of themselves more highly than they ought but rather to think of themselves with sober judgment in accordance with the measure of faith God has given them.
Notice that God's grace provides different measures of faith to believers which enable them to be faithful to the LORD in varying degrees. Of key importance to Paul is a believer's humility and sober judgment. The believer must think of himself with sober judgment and not think of himself more highly than he ought. These points have already been expounded upon in the first eleven chapters of Romans.
(Ro 12:4 NIV) "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
(Ro 12:5 NIV) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
(Ro 12:6 NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, [let him use it] in proportion to his faith.
(Ro 12:7 NIV) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
(Ro 12:8 NIV) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
(Ro 11:30 NKJV) "For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience (Ro 12:1 NIV)Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Ro 12:2 NIV) Do not conform any longer 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. (Ro 12:4 NIV) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (Ro 12:5 NIV) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" =
In Ro 12:4-5, Paul continues to provide specifics on how to fulfill his authoritative exhortation to Gentile believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to God to live according to His holy, pleasing and perfect will, (Ro 12:1-2). Just as the members of the human body have different functions which must be performed so that the body operates properly and just as each member of the body essentially belongs to the body and to each of the other members, so it is with the body of believers. Ro 12:5 implies that all believers are in Christ in the sense of having become part of the body of Christ: one body of believers, each believer being a member of Christ's body, belonging to Him and to each of His believer / members. They are to function together as one body in Christ, wherein the Head is Christ, Whom all believer / members are to serve, each diligently performing his particular function(s), appointed to him by the LORD. So Paul presents God's view of a corporate body of believers in Christ composed of members who each have different functions in service to the LORD, belonging to the body of Christ and to each of its members.
(Ro 12:3 NIV) "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Ro 12:4 NIV) "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (Ro 12:5 NIV) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Ro 12:6 NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, [let him use it] in proportion to his faith. (Ro 12:7 NIV) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; (Ro 12:8 NIV) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." =
Each member of the body of believers in Christ has been given different gifts according to the grace - the unmerited favor - of God given to him. The gifts are evidently spiritual gifts since they come from God. Since the phrases "Phronein eis to sOphronein hekastO hOs ho theos emerisen metron pisteOs" rendered in the NIV "Think of yourself with sober judgment with the measure of faith God has given you" in Ro 12:3 and the phrase "kata tEn analogian tEs pisteO" in 12:6 rendered "[let him use it] in proportion to his faith" in the NIV and referring to the spiritual gift of prophesy and referring to a punctuated list of six more examples of spiritual gifts in vv. 12:7-8 which follow; then it is evident that God provides a measure of faith to each believer to accompany all spiritual gifts that He endows believers with in order to exercise those gifts accordingly. So spiritual gifts are given to believers by the grace of God in Ro 12:7-8 are all to be exercised in proportion to the faith given each believer by God to exercise.
Hence, it is implied that God provides each individual believer / member of the Body of Christ with a particular portion of faith whereby each individual is enabled to exercise his spiritual gift(s) from God. So it is by temporal moments of exercising faith in God that the spiritual gift(s) He has endowed one with are to be exercised. Note that the list of gifts is not presented as all inclusive.
(Ro 12:9 NKJV) "[Let] love [be] without hypocrisy. [Abhoring] what is evil. [Clinging] to what is good.
(Ro 12:10 NKJV) [Be] kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
(Ro 12:11 NKJV) not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
(Ro 12:12 NKJV) rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
(Ro 12:13 NKJV) distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
(Ro 12:14 NKJV) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
(Ro 12:15 NKJV) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
(Ro 12:16 NKJV) Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
(Ro 12:17 NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
(Ro 12:18 NKJV) If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
(Ro 12:19 NKJV) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. [Dt 32:35]
(Ro 12:20 NKJV) Therefore " If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."[Pr 25:21-22]
(Ro 12:21 NKJV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." =
(Ro 12:1 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Ro 12:2 NIV) Do not conform any longer 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. (Ro 12:3 NIV) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Ro 12:4 NIV) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (Ro 12:5 NIV) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Ro 12:6 NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, [let him use it] in proportion to his faith. (Ro 12:7 NIV) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; (Ro 12:8 NIV) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Ro 12:9 NKJV) [Let] love [be] without hypocrisy. [Abhoring] what is evil. [Clinging] to what is good." =
Verses 4 through 8 of Romans chapter 12 continue to elaborate upon Apostle Paul's authoritative exhortation to Gentile believers in 12:1-2 to offer their bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Paul explains in 12:4-5 that each member of the body of believers in Christ belongs to one another and has varying functions within that body. He lists a number of gifts given to the members by God which are to be utilized to perform those varying functions in accordance with His grace and the proportion of faith given to them by God to exercise those gifts. Whereupon verse 9 moves to characteristics which the body of believers are to exemplify in their lives as part of the offering of their bodies as a living sacrifice to God. Verse 9a lists the first and evidently paramount characteristic to exercise which is agape / godly love without pretense / hyposcrisy followed by two participle phrases which further define agape love: "abhoring what is evil" and "clinging to what is good." Agape love is defined as follows:
[The New Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the NT, Joseph Henry Thayer, Hendrickson, Peabosy, Ma, 1981, p. 3]:
"agapaO ..... to love, to be full of good-will and exhibit the same... to have a preference for, wish well to, regard the welfare of ... often of the love of Christians towards one another; of the benevolence which God in providing salvation for men, has exhibited by sending His Son to them and giving Him up to death... of the love which led Christ, in procuring human salvation to undergo sufferings and death... of the love with which God regards Christ..."
Note that it is the nature of agape / godly love to abhor what is evil and cling to what is good, (Ro 12:9b).
(Ro 12:1 NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Ro 12:2 NIV) Do not conform any longer 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. (Ro 12:3 NIV) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Ro 12:4 NIV) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (Ro 12:5 NIV) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Ro 12:6 NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, [let him use it] in proportion to his faith. (Ro 12:7 NIV) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; (Ro 12:8 NIV) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Ro 12:9 NKJV) [Let] love [be] without hypocrisy. [Abhoring] what is evil. [Clinging] to what is good. (Ro 12:10 NKJV) Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." =
(Ro 12:10 Gk) .............tE ......philadelphia ...eis .........allElous
(Ro 12:10 interlinear) in the brotherly love towards one another
philostorgoi ..........tE ......timE ..allElous ......proEgoumenoi"
kindly affectioned in the honor one another going before"
Romans 12:10 literally says "in ... brotherly love towards one another [Be] kindly affectioned in... honor one another going before." In other words believers are to express kind, affectionate brotherly love, (Gk, "philadelphia"), towards one another. They are to honor, i.e., to give preference to others before themselves in all things. They are to be committed to attending to the welfare of others - an expression charactistic of agape / godly, self-sacrificial love.
Note that the command to exercise kindly affectionate brotherly love, one believer toward another in an honorable manner in 12:10a, is further defined in verse 12:10bas giving honor and preference to others. So fellow believers are to think of and act toward one another as better than themselves - giving others preference and priority in temporal and spiritual matters - a self-sacrificial agape / godly type love for one another.
HE IS TO:
REJOICE IN THE SURE HOPE OF RECEIVING THE ETERNAL GLORY OF GOD,
PERSEVERE THROUGH TEMPORAL DIFFICULTIES,
CONTINUE STEADFASTLY IN PRAYER,
PROVIDE FOR THE TEMPORAL NEEDS OF THE SAINTS,
BLESS THOSE WHO PERSECUTE HIM AS OPPOSED TO CURSING THEM,
REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE AND WEEP WITH THOSE WHO MOURN,
BE OF ONE ACCORD WITH FELLOW BELIEVERS RE: GODLINESS
NOT BE HIGH MINDED WITH A SELF-AGRANDIZING ATTITUDE,
ASSOCIATE WITH THE HUMBLE NOT THE HIGH MINDED,
NOT BE WISE IN ONES OWN OPINION,
NOT BE GIVEN TO REPAY EVIL WITH EVIL,
BE OPEN AND GODLY BEFORE MEN TO DEMONSTRATE A HIGH REGARD FOR GODLINESS,
LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN AS FAR AS POSSIBLE
LET GOD AVENGE WRONG DOING,
GIVE FOOD AND DRINK TO HIS ENEMIES IN ORDER TO MOVE THEM TO REPENTANCE
NOT OVERCOME EVIL WITH EVIL BUT WITH GOOD
(Ro 12:1 NIV)"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Ro 12:2 NIV) Do not conform any longer 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. (Ro 12:3 NIV) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Ro 12:4 NIV) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, (Ro 12:5 NIV) so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Ro 12:6 NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, [let him use it] in proportion to his faith. (Ro 12:7 NIV) If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; (Ro 12:8 NIV) if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Ro 12:9 NKJV) [Let] love [be] without hypocrisy. [Abhoring] what is evil. [Clinging] to what is good. (Ro 12:10 NKJV) Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. (Ro 12:11 NKJV) not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. (Ro 12:12 NKJV) rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; (Ro 12:13 NKJV) distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Ro 12:14 NKJV) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Ro 12:15 NKJV) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (Ro 12:16 NKJV) Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. (Ro 12:17 NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. (Ro 12:18 NKJV) If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Ro 12:19 NKJV) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. [Dt 32:35] (Ro 12:20 NKJV) Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' [Pr 25:21-22] (Ro 12:21 NKJV) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." =
(Ro 12:11 Gk) .............."tE ......spoudE ...mE oknEroi tO .....pneumati
(Ro 12:11 interlinear) "in the .diligence not .slothful .in the spirit
zeontes ..........tO ......kuriO douleuontes."
being fervent in the LORD serving."
Romans 12:11 literally says "[Be] not slothful [= slow] in spiritual matters being fervent in serving the LORD."
Verse 12:11 continues to list specific things the believer is commanded to keep in mind and obey in order to offer his body to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, (12:1-2). The last phrase of 12:11, (11c) stipulates that a believer is to serve the LORD. He is not to be slothful, i.e., lagging in diligence in his service to God, (11a), but instead be fervent in spirit, i.e., be emotionally committed, (11b), in serving the LORD, (11c).
Verse 12:12 then exhorts the believer to be "tE elpidi chairontes" literally, "in the hope, rejoicing," which refers to rejoicing in the sure hope of receiving the eternal glory of God of salvation unto eternal life, (cf Ro 5:2). The believer is to be "patient in tribulation" = he is to persevere through temporal difficulties and persecution, keeping his focus on the sure hope of the glory of God in eternal life. And in doing this, he is to continue steadfastly in prayer, i.e., communicate moment to moment with God on every matter to enable the understanding and conformance to His good, pleasing and perfect will, (Ro 12:1-2).
Verse 12:13 addresses the issue of a believer providing for the temporal needs of the saints, fellow believers. He should be "given to hospitality."
Verse 12:14 exhorts believers to bless those who persecute them as opposed to cursing them. Note that to bless another is to pray to God for another's temporal and / or spiritual benefit, beginning with eternal life and then to follow through with action as God enables one.
Verse 12:15 exhorts believers to rejoice with fellow believers who are rejoicing, i.e., share in their rejoicing with them and they are to weep with fellow believers who are weeping, i.e., share in their sorrows and griefs with them. This is evidently a duty of believers to provide emotional and spiritual support via an active fellowship with fellow believers.
Verse 12:16 exhorts the believer to be of the same mind with one another in the sense of concentrating ones focus upon godly things. Hence believers are to be of one accord relative to godliness, necessitating a humble, objective and diligent study and acceptance of God's Word, the source of information on godliness. Furthermore, believers being of one accord with fellow believers relative to godliness rules out being high minded in the sense of self-centeredness and rules out focusing on self-aggrandizing things. Instead of setting his mind on high things, the faithful believer is to associate himself with humble things and humble believers. Hence faithful believers are not to be wise in their own opinion. This is not to say that believers are not to consider their point of view wise when it reflects God's Word. On the other hand, believers are to understand that their opinion outside of God's Word is not wise.
Verse 12:17 exhorts the believer not to repay evil with evil. He is to demonstrate a regard for godliness "in the sight of all men." The phrase "in the sight of all men" implies that the believer is to be open and godly in his lifestyle before men so that they can see that he has a high regard for godliness, testifying to his relationship with God and Who his God is.
Verse 12:18 directs the believer, "If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Note that the phrase "if it is possible, as much as it depends on you," gives the believer the lattitude to live peaceably with all men as much as depends on him within the limits of the his capacity as he earnestly exercises his spiritual gifts and the measure of faith God has given him. This implies that believers may not always be successful in motivating others to live peaceable with them, yet warns them to not let the failure be their fault.
Verse 12:19 addreses the "beloved", a term of endearment for believers. Paul exhorts them not to avenge themselves for wrong doing toward them, but to leave to the sovereignty of God, citing Dt 32:35 which states, "Vengeance is the LORD's. He will repay."
As opposed to getting revenge for wrong doing, verses 12:20-21 go on to explain the proper response from Pr 25:21-22 to those who are ones enemies: "If your enemy is hungry feed him; if he is thirsty, given him drink." In other words, believers are to look to tend to the temporal needs of their enemies as opposed to seeking to act in revenge. For in so doing, Proverbs 25 explains, "They will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good," i.e., motivate him in the direction of repentance out of shame and contrition.
[Expositor's Bible Commentary, NIV, Vol. 10,, Frank E Gaebelien, Gen. Ed., Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1976, p. 134]:
"[Ro 12:]17-21 Here Paul takes his stand alongside the believer by giving him explicit counsel about how to face the hostile world. 'Do not repay evil for evil' (v. 17), for to do so would be to follow the inclination of the flesh.
...believers are constantly under the scrutiny of unsaved persons as well as of fellow Christians, and they must be careful that their conduct does not betray the high standards of the gospel... The verb 'be careful' (pronoeO) is literally 'to think of beforehand,' which suggests that the conduct of believers ought not to be regulated by habit, but rather that each situation that holds prospect for a witness to the world be weighted so that the action taken will not bring unfavorable reflection on the gospel.
The charge to live at peace with everyone (v. 18) is hedged about with two qualifying statements.... 'If it be possible' suggests that there are instances in human relations when the strongest desire for concord will not avail. This, in turn, is explained by the statement 'as far as it depends on you.' In other words, if disharmony and conflict should come, let not the responsibility be laid at your feet. The believer may not be able to persuade the other party, but he can at least refuse to be the instigator of trouble. He can be a peacemaker... only if he is recognized as one who aims to live at peace with his fellows.
This peace-loving attitude may be costly, however, because some will want to take advantage of it, figuring that Christian principles will not permit the wronged party to retaliate. In such a case, what is to be done? The path of duty is clear. We are not to take vengeance. This would be to trespass on the province of God, the great Judge of all. 'Leave room for God's wrath' (v. 19). Trust Him to take care of the situation. He will not bungle. He will not be too lenient or too severe. Here Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35, whose context indicates that the LORD will intervene to vindicate His people when their enemies abuse them and gloat over them. God's action will rebuke not only the adversaries but also the false gods in which they have put their trust....
Paul lets the OT (Prov 25:21, 22) speak for him. The course of action recommended is the positive aspect of what has been stated in v. 17. 'Burning coals' are best understood as 'the burning pangs of shame and contrition'...
Guidance on the problem of coping with evil reaches its climax in the final admonition: 'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good' (v. 21). In this context, 'to be overcome by evil' means to given in to the temptation to meet evil with evil, to retaliate..."