CHAPTER XII. _Such displays of God's mercy as Jews and Gentiles have received_ _should induce them to consecrate themselves to Him; and not be_ _conformed to the world_, 1, 2. _Christians are exhorted to think meanly of themselves_, 3. _And each to behave himself properly in the office which he... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:2. _AND BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD_] By _this world_, αιωνιτουτω, may be understood that _present state_ of things both among the Jews and Gentiles; the customs and fashions of the people who then _lived_, the Gentiles particularly, who had neither the _power_ nor the _form_ of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:3. _THROUGH THE GRACE GIVEN UNTO ME_] By the grace given St. Paul most certainly means his apostolical _office_, by which he had the _authority_, not only to preach the Gospel, but also to rule the Church of Christ. This is the meaning of the word, η χαρις, in Ephesians 3:8: _Unto me... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:4. _FOR AS WE HAVE MANY MEMBERS_] As the human body consists of many parts, each having its respective office, and all contributing to the perfection and support of the whole; each being indispensably necessary in the place which it occupies, and each equally useful though performing... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:5. _SO WE, BEING MANY_] We who are members of the Church of Christ, which is considered the _body_ of which he is the _head_, have various offices assigned to us, according to the measure of grace, faith and religious knowledge which we possess; and although each has a different off... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:6. _HAVING THEN GIFTS DIFFERING_, c.] As the goodness of God, with this view of our mutual subserviency and usefulness, has endowed us with different gifts and qualifications, let each apply himself to the diligent improvement of his particular office and talent, and modestly keep wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:7. _OR MINISTRY_] διακονια simply means the _office_ of a _deacon_; and what this office was, _see in Clarke's note on "_Acts 6:4_"_, where the subject is largely discussed. _OR HE THAT TEACHETH_] The teacher, διδασκαλος, was a person whose office it was to instruct others, who ther... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:8. _OR HE THAT EXHORTETH_] Ὁ παρακαλων, The person who admonished and reprehended the unruly or disorderly; and who supported the weak and comforted the penitents, and those who were under heaviness through manifold temptations. _HE THAT GIVETH_] He who distributeth the alms of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:9. _LET LOVE BE WITHOUT DISSIMULATION._] Ἡ αγαπη ανυποκριτος· Have no _hypocritical_ love; let not your love wear a mask; make no empty professions. Love God and your neighbour; and, by obedience to the one and acts of benevolence to the other, show that your love is _sincere_. _A... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:10. _BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED ONE TO ANOTHER WITH BROTHERLY_ _LOVE_] It is difficult to give a simple translation of the original: τῃ φιλαδελφιᾳ εις αλληλους φιλοστοργοι. The word φιλαδελφια signifies that affectionate regard which every Christian should feel for another, as being me... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:11. _NOT SLOTHFUL IN BUSINESS_] That God, who _forbade_ working on the _seventh_ day, has, by the same authority, _enjoined_ it on the other _six days_. He who neglects to labour during the _week_ is as culpable as he is who works on the _Sabbath_. An idle, slothful person can never... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:12. _REJOICING IN HOPE_] Of that glory of God that to each faithful follower of Christ shall shortly be revealed. _PATIENT IN TRIBULATION_] Remembering that what you suffer as Christians you suffer for Christ's sake; and it is to his honour, and the honour of your Christian professi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:13. _DISTRIBUTING TO THE NECESSITY OF SAINTS_] Relieve your poor brethren according to the power which God has given you. Do good unto all men, but especially to them which are of the household of faith. Instead of χρειαις, _necessities_, some ancient MSS. have μνειαις, _memorials_;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:14. _BLESS THEM WHICH PERSECUTE YOU_] ευλογειτε, Give _good words_, or _pray_ for them that give you _bad words_, καταρασθε, who make _dire imprecations_ against you. _Bless_ them, pray for them, and on no account curse them, whatever the provocation may be. Have the loving, forgivin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:15. _REJOICE WITH THEM THAT DO REJOICE_] Take a lively interest in the prosperity of others. Let it be a matter of rejoicing to you when you hear of the health, prosperity, or happiness of any brother. _WEEP WITH THEM THAT WEEP._] Labour after a _compassionate_ or _sympathizing_ min... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:16. BE _OF THE SAME MIND_] Live in a state of continual harmony and concord, and pray for the same good for all which you desire for yourselves. _MIND NOT HIGH THINGS_] Be not ambitious; affect nothing above your station; do not court the rich nor the powerful; do not pass by the _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _RECOMPENSE_, c.] Do not take notice of every little injury you may sustain. Do not be _litigious_. Beware of too nice a sense of your own honour intolerable pride is at the bottom of this. The motto of the royal arms of Scotland is in direct opposition to this Divine direction-_Nemo me im... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _IF IT BE POSSIBLE_] To live in a state of peace with one's neighbours, friends, and even family, is often very difficult. But the man who loves God must labour after this, for it is indispensably necessary even for his own sake. A man cannot have broils and misunderstandings with others,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _DEARLY BELOVED, AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES_] Ye are the children of God, and he loves you; and because he loves you he will permit nothing to be done to you that he will not turn to your advantage. Never take the execution of the law into your own hands; rather suffer injuries. The Son of man... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:20. _IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER, FEED HIM_] Do not withhold from any man the offices of mercy and kindness; _you_ have been God's enemy, and yet God fed, clothed, and preserved you alive: do to your enemy as God has done to you. If your enemy be hungry, feed him; if he be thirsty, give h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Romans 12:21. _BE NOT OVERCOME OF EVIL_] Do not, by giving place to evil, become precisely the same character which thou condemnest in another. _Overcome evil with good_ - however frequently he may grieve and injure thee, always repay him with kindness; thy good-will, in the end, may overcome... [ Continue Reading ]