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| Chapter 12 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say to every man that is among you, through the grace given unto me, 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. 4 For as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us: if prophecy, let us prophesy according to our portion of faith; 7 or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Have kindly affection one for another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another; 11 not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer; 13 distributing to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written: "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." 20 Therefore: "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink. For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." 21 Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. |
12:1,2 Our relationship to God.. Once we understand the truths of the previous chapters of Romans and we take on these truths in our life, then our spiritual life should become an outflow of service for God. When Christ enters our lives He tries to make us more like Him. Phil 2:12,13; Heb 13:21. Paul is speaking to believers as he calls them "brethren," only believers can do the actions given in the following chapter. Paul calls us to give our bodies, our life, our all to the service of God. v1 "Present your bodies" ‘present’ means yield, give up, hand over, a continuous action rather than a once only action, the believer is to give all his/her abilities, desires, actions to God, they do this because they have been set apart for God (consecrated). This is not our old nature bodies, no, it is the newly purchase by Christ body, in which the Holy Spirit lives, 1 Cor 6:19,20. If we do not do this then we are actually keeping stolen property, Jesus has already paid for it and your ‘body’ belongs to Him. Why does God ask this of us? God is omnipresent (everywhere) but He needs our bodies, all of our life to show, to reveal Himself on earth. "A living sacrifice" is a ‘conflict,’ because ‘a sacrifice’ means death, God wants our bodies, dead to sin but alive to God. It has also got to be ‘acceptable,’ nothing less than total, complete surrender (handing over), Rom 5:1-6; 2 Cor 5:14,15. We cannot serve two master. Note also we will all one day have to give an ‘account’ for our actions (the way we lived). 2 Cor 5:9-11. It is to be a "holy sacrifice" v1, a complete break with the past. God only. A "reasonable service." It is expected of us. v2 "Not conformed to this world," This is a continuous action, do not let the world shape you as it wants. The world does not want believers, John 15:19. The world hates things of God, John 17:14; 1 John 3:1-3; Col 3:1-3. v2 It is not possible to know the Will of God until you present yourself in total surrender. If we do this then He will reveal His Will for us, a step at a time, as He knows we need it. Rom 8:28,29. 12:3-21 Our relationship with others. v3-6 Paul starts this section with a reminder that we have each been given different gifts, this has been done as God has seen our faith increase, He then knows that we are able to use these gifts for His glory and not our self. v3b also shows that ‘Faith’ is a gift from God. God has given us different gifts as the ‘Body (the church) of Christ’ needs, Eph 4:11-13; 1 Cor 12:4-7. Unfortunately, many believers seek to get advantages or power from the Gifts God has given, misusing them. Paul tells us to not to forget the gifts are a gift of Grace from God, 1 Cor 12:11. Remember we will all have to explain our use of our gifts, 2 Cor 5:9,10. 12:6-8 The Gifts. In this chapter 7 gifts of grace are mentioned. v6 Prophecy: This is not for telling the future but the presentation of God’s truth to the people. v7 Ministry: administration of the churches work. v7 Teaching: Making God’s Word understandable to others. v8 Exhortation: encourage, help the believers. v8 Giving: God will give some of His people the ability to make money, so allowing them to help in the expenses of the ministry. v8 Ruling: A people who God gives this gift to are given a position of authority, but must not mis-use this position, their responsibility is to guide and encourage the work of the Lord. v8 Mercy: Some people have the ability to give sympathy, help to those in sorrow. 12:9-16 Love for Believers. Paul now takes time to show how we should relate to those in the family of God. v9 Abhor evil: have a horror of all things evil, Rom 13:14; 2 Tim 2:22. v9 Do good things: v10 Love the family of God as if brothers and sisters. v10 honour others: let others have the credit. v11 Not slothful: do all your work with all your power. Do not think "it does not matter as it is only for the church." v11 Fervent in spirit: Let the Holy Spirit make us ‘boiling over with enthusiasm’ for the task He has given us. v11 Serving the Lord: Love for what He has done for us. v12 Rejoicing in hope: Fix our thoughts on our future joy with Jesus. v12 Patient in tribulation: Press on for Christ’s sake when under tribulation or persecution, 1 Cor 10:13. v12 Instant in Prayer: Make it a habit of Praying, Eph 6:18. v13 Giving to others: Sharing with others. Heb 13:2. v14 Bless those who want to hurt us. v15 Share the joys and griefs of others. v16 Live in harmony, be of one mind, do not think highly of ourselves. See Phil 2:5-8. 12:17-21 Love for unbelievers. v17 Repay no evil: do not return evil for evil. v17 Be honest: make sure our actions are not harmful to God in anyway. v18 Live in peace with others: However we must not sacrifice the truth of God just to live in peace. v19 Seek no revenge: Let the Lord punish or repay those who mistreat us. v20 Our life not help the enemies: The world should see a very different person in a believer, not just a sunday believer or full of the desires for the world. v21 Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, win against evil with kindness. |
Easy English Translation
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