Romans 12: Gifted members of the Body

[Preliminary Note: Continuing to provide a brief summary of each previous chapter to provide present context:

• Part 1: Ch.1-8 Our lost state & God’s Justification & the New Life
• Part 2: Ch.9-11 Considering the State of Israel
• Now, Part 3: Ch.12-15 Living the ChristianLife  

• v.1,2 Be a Living Sacrifice
• v.3-8 Be humble as you serve in the Body of Christ
• v.9-21 Let goodness flow in all you do

v.1,2 Be a Living Sacrifice

v.1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

v.2 Do not conform 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.

[Note: So, as a consequence of the warnings I’ve just been giving, give your entire being over to God, like a living sacrifice to please Him. Specifically let your mind be renewed to conform to God’s way of doing things.]

v.3-8 Be humble as you serve in the Body of Christ

v.3 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 faith God has distributed to each of you.

v.4,5 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

v.6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

[Note: Build humility by realizing your faith expressions are purely a gift from God, and remember, as church we are all different but needing each other. His grace has given us different gifts so whichever they are, use them to the full extent. NB. In what follows we have rearranged verses in groups.]

v.9-21 Let goodness flow in all you do

i) create a loving community of good

v.9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

v.10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.

v.13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

v.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

v.16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

[Note: Let your love be real, detesting evil, holding onto the good, cling to each other in love, honoring others more than yourself, be a sharing hospitable person, empathize with the needy, be harmonious, and avoid pride or conceit.]

ii) stand out as different

v.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

v.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

[Note: Go all out for God and keep at it, and if it gets tough, reach for His hope in difficulties, remaining faithful in prayer.]

iii) don’t respond negatively to those against you

v.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

v.17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

v.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

v.19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”] says the Lord.

v.20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” [Prov. 25:21,22]

v.21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

[Note: Bless those against you and don’t do wrong when wronged., As much as you can live at peace with others letting God deal with those who harm you [Deut. 32:3]. Bless your enemy and overcome evil with good.]

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: