Romans 12:1 I. We have in the text a very remarkable way of putting what I may call the sum of Christian service. The main leading idea is the gathering together of all Christian duty into the one mighty word sacrifice. Sacrifice, to begin with, means giving up everything to God. And how do I give u... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 12:2 Conformity and Transformation. I. There are two terms in the original language for the expression the world. One of them regards the things that now are in reference to time, the other in reference to space. The one means the things that are seen, this material world, with all its enjo... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 12:3 Self-Appreciation. I. Every man's view of himself is meant to be a correct deliberate thing, according to the facts of the case neither degrading himself too low, nor vaunting himself too high, but thinking of himself as he really is and as God has been pleased to make him. II. To guid... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 12:11 The Results of Slothfulness. I. We frequently meet people who, on extraordinary occasions, or stimulated by some special inspiration, will exert much diligence and take great pains to produce something excellent and commendable, but who at all other times are slatternly and indolent, c... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 12:12 In the widest sense the injunction of the text lays upon us these things: (1) The habitual maintenance of a prayerful spirit; (2) the duty of embracing opportunities for prayer; (3) the duty of improving the occasions of prayer; (4) watchfulness as a part of constancy in prayer. J. M.... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 12:15 I. Christians do not enough bear in mind the duty of cheerfulness. An open and lively countenance, a free and joyous manner of address, are considered rather as happy accidents, than as results which every Christian ought to aim at as part of his spiritual life. It is astonishing, if yo... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 12:15 Sympathy and Condescension. I. The first part of the text is a call to sympathy. But notice what St. Paul meant by sympathy, how he describes it. (1) It is an old remark that it is more difficult to rejoice with them that rejoice than to weep with them that weep. Let us endeavour, in l... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 12:16 Our Duty to Equals. I. While the compassionate view of man, as compared with the ordinary view of him in his health and strength as a flourishing member of this world, is characterised by a beauty of its own, it has at the same time the defect of being a protected state of mind, a stat... [ Continue Reading ]
Romans 12:21 Retaliation. I. We must read this verse first in direct contrast with the prohibition, " _Be not overcome of evil."_The immediate subject of both is that of injuries and their treatment. As to be overcome of evil is to let evil master us, so that it shall subdue and lead captive, inste... [ Continue Reading ]