“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”” -Romans 12:19 Paul appeals tenderly to the believers, calling them Beloved. Certainly, it is a sensitive charge. Human nature wants to retaliate, seek what we, in our limited view, believe […]
Live Peaceably With All
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” -Romans 12:18 Paul began his list of exhortations to Christians with the charge that we love genuinely, abhorring what is evil and holding fast to what is good. Each of the exhortations are in one sense independent of the others but in […]
Do What is Honorable
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” -Romans 12:17 Paul further exhorts believers that they are not vindictive for wrongs suffered but instead think about the best way to respond in such a way that unbelievers, those outside the church, and even the […]
Harmony Through Humility
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” -Romans 12:16 This next exhortation is one of humility. Previously, Paul told believers not to think of themselves more highly than they ought to think (vs. 3), which is a general exhortation to […]
Gospel-generated Love
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” -Romans 12:15 Adding to his list of character traits becoming of a Christian, Paul next lays down an exhortation toward true love for one’s neighbor, that of mutual affection. Genuine gospel-generated love is compelled to share in the celebrations as well as the heartache’s of […]
Bless and Do Not Curse
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” -Romans 12:14 As Paul continues to list these precepts for the new gospel-centered humanity, the church, it should be noted that he is not taking any great pains to lay them out in any precise order. Rather, he exhorts the church with a barrage […]
Share and Be Hospitable
“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” -Romans 12:13 Paul continues his exhortation with two specific admonishments. First, Christians are to contribute to the needs of the saints (recall Romans 12:6-8). Contribute comes from the Greek word, κοινωνοῦντες (share), which is closely related to κοινωνία (communion). To contribute to the […]
How to Live in Present Difficult Circumstances
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” -Romans 12:12 Paul’s list for the family of God continues with an exhortation for living in the present circumstances. One day, the redeemed of God will be saved not only from the penalty and power of sin, but from the very presence of sin. […]
Enthusiastic Worship
“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” -Romans 12:11 This is an interesting statement, primarily because although the words are familiar to us, the construction of his language is fairly uncommon. The first thing one might notice is the trifecta of words that all have to do with one’s […]
Imagine Philadelphia
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” -Romans 12:10 Paul clearly conceives of the gospel as creating a new humanity, one which will grow up alongside the old humanity, the wheat with the tares. And this new humanity can be conceived of as a new spiritual family all from the […]