Romans 12:11

τῇ σπουδῇ, in the zealous diligence which Christian practice requires.

ὀκνηροί, of hesitation from whatever cause, so sluggish, idle; cf. Matthew 25:26.

τῷ πνεύματι prob. = with or by the Holy Spirit—the source in the man of all the activities which are being urged. ζέοντες, cf. Acts 18:25; ζεστός, Revelation 3:15-16. The whole phrase)[248] ὀκνηροί

[248])(opposed to

τῷ κυρίῳ δουλεύοντες. The fervour inspired by the Spirit is to be used in the service of the Lord; cf. Acts 20:19; 1 Peter 2:16. The two clauses remind them of the power and the allegiance which are the background of the whole exhortation. The alternative reading τῷ καιρῷ is attractive, both because it brings this clause more into line with the neighbouring clauses and as parallel to Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5. But the parallels are not quite convincing—there the man is urged to make himself master of opportunity, here to be its slave, a very different and even dubious exhortation. And if we take τῷ πνεύματι as above we get an excellent sense and parallel.

δουλεύοντες. Of the relation of Christians in general; cf. Romans 6:18; Romans 14:18; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; otherwise generally of apostles or ministers till Rev.