Romans 12:3

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. FOR I SAY (WITH DIVINE AUTHORITY), THROUGH THE GRACE GIVEN UNTO ME - as an apostle of Jesus Christ; thus exemplifying his own precept by modestly falling back on that office which both warranted and required such plainness toward all classes: TO EVERY MAN THAT IS AMONG YOU, NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO THINK; BUT TO THINK SOBERLY, [ mee (G3361) huperfronein (G5252) par' (G3844) ho ...

3._For I say, through the grace, etc. _If you think not the causal particle superfluous, this verse will not be unsuitably connected with the former; for since he wished that our whole study should be employed in investigating the will of God, the next thing to this was, to draw us away from vain curiosity. As however the causal particle is often used redundantly by Paul, you may take the verse as containing a simple affirmation; for thus the sense would also be very appropriate. But before he specifies his command, he reminds them of the authority which had been given to him, so that they might not otherwise attend to his voice than if it was the voice of God himself; for his words are the same, as though he had said, “I speak not of myself; but, as God’s ambassador, I bring to you the commands which he has entrusted to me.” By “_grace _” (as before) he means the Apostleship, with respe...

3-8 Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Head of the body, and the common Centre of their unity. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. We are to do all the good we can, one to another, and for the common benefit. If we duly thought about the powers we have, and how far we fail properly to improve them, it would humble us. But as we must not be proud of our talents, so we must take heed lest, under a pretence of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in laying out ourselves for the good of others. We must not say, I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. Whatever our gifts or situations m...

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 who am less than the least of all saints is this grace_ _given_ - is conceded this _office_ or _employment_ immediately by God himself; _that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable_ _riches of Christ_. _NOT TO THINK - MORE HIGHLY_] μη υπερφρονειν, Not _to act proudly_; to arrogate nothing to himself on account of any grace he had received, or of any office committed to him. BUT TO THINK SOBERLY

FOR I SAY - The word “for” shows that the apostle is about to introduce some additional considerations to enforce what he had just said, or to show how we may evince a mind that is not conformed to the world. THROUGH THE GRACE - Through the favor, or in virtue of the favor of the apostolic office. By the authority that is conferred on me to declare the will of God as an apostle; see the note at Romans 1:5; see also Galatians 1:6, Galatians 1:15; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:8;...

EXPOSITION VER. 1–CH. 14:23 III. HORTATORY. It is St. Paul's way to supplement his doctrinal treatises with detailed practical directions as to the conduct that should of necessity ensue on belief in the doctrines propounded. So also in Ephesians 4:1, etc., where, as here, he connects his exhortations with what has gone before by the initiatory παρακαλῶ οὖν_. _Beyond his exposition of the truth for its own sake, he has always a further practical aim. Saving faith is ever with him a living faith, to be shown by its fruits. Nor, according to him, will these fruits follow, unless the believer himself does his part in cultivating them: else were these earnest and particular exhortations needless. If, on the one hand, he is the great assertor of our salvation being through faith and all of grace, he is no less dist

FOR I SAY, THROUGH THE GRACE GIVEN UNTO ME,.... The Ethiopic version reads, the grace of God: and so two of Stephens's copies. By which the apostle intends, not that internal grace which was wrought in his soul; nor the Gospel of the grace of God, which he preached; nor the gifts of grace, which qualified him for that service; but the grace of apostleship, or that authoritative power, which he, as the apostle, received from Christ to say, command, give orders and instructions to churches, and particular persons: TO EVERY MAN THAT IS AMONG YOU: every member of the church, in whatsoever state or condition, whether in office or not; of whatsoever abilities or capacity, having gifts, whether more or less; the manifestation of the Spirit being given to everyone to profit with, for his own and the good of others: NOT TO THINK [OF HIMSELF] MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO THINK; that is, either n...

Romans 12:1. _I beseech you therefore, brethren,_ Paul is a calm reasoner. He is a bold starer of truth, but here he comes to pleading with us. I think that I see him lift the pen from the paper and look round upon us, as. with the accent of entreaty, he says, «I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, by God's great mercy to you, his many mercies, his continued mercies.» What stronger plea could the Apostle have? «I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God.» Romans 12:1. _By the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service._ Though he beseeches you to do it, he claims a right to it. It is but your reasonable service. Do we need to be entreated to be reasonable? I

GRACE Grace (imparted). (Romans 12:3); (Romans 12:6); (Romans 15:15); (Romans 6:1); (2 Peter 3:18)....

III. EXHORTATIONS AND THE CONCLUSION. Chapter s 12-16. CHAPTER 12 _ 1. The Body as a Willing Sacrifice. (Romans 12:1 .)_ 2. Service. (Romans 12:3 .) 3. The Daily Walk in Holiness. (Romans 12:9 .) Romans 12:1 . Grace calls for obedience. After God has made known the riches of His grace, the fulness of the Gospel, His Spirit shows how believers should walk in a world of sin and tribulation. The first thing is to present the body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. This connects with the truth of Romans 6:19