_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 12:1.—St. Paul sums up the argument of the foregoing part of the epistle with plain rules for Christian living, and advisedly calls religion a reasonable service. Pythagoras required intelligent worship; and much more does the great Spirit demand worship in spirit. The soul... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 12:2. AND BE NOT CONFORMED.—Be not configured to this world, but rather as Christ was transfigured on the mount. Be not like the men of this world whose all is in the present. Live for eternity. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 12:2_ Nonconformity to the world.—We... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 12:3.—Those who possess special gifts must be humble and seek a sober mind. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Romans 12:3_ Self-glorified and God-dishonoured.—_Self-help_ is a very good book, well written, containing useful information, and inculcating wise lessons; but i... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 12:5.—We are knit together in Christ, as the head in the organic life. Romans 12:6.—Prophesying is both foretelling and forthtelling. Hence preaching and expounding make the prophet. We must expound according to the rule of faith. Pleasant doctrines must not have undue prom... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 12:11.—In your haste be not idle, in your business be not lazy. As to your zeal, being not indolent; fervent in spirit, taking advantage of opportunity. The Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, and all the Greek scholiasts, read “serving the Lord.” The other reading, “serv... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 12:12. PATIENT IN TRIBULATION.—θλίψις, a pressing together, pressure, from θλίβω, to press. So in Mark 3:9, “lest they should throng Him.” Romans 12:13.—Partaking of your good things with the needy. You give money; they give faith in God. Hospitality essential in those time... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 12:17.—Provide things honest, handsome, beautiful, useful, profitable, in the sight of men. Remove every reasonable ground of suspicion. Wear the white flower of a blameless life. Romans 12:18. LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN.—If commotions arise, let there be no real fault on... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 12:20.—Here are figurative expressions for the general duties of benevolence. Romans 12:21.—He is conquered by evil who wishes another to sin. He has sinned himself who strives to make another sin. Love is the conqueror. We cannot always tell where it prevails. If it do not... [ Continue Reading ]