A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your [Or the] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[Or to provide for others ] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[Or willing to do menial work] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[Deut. 32:35 ] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[Prov. 25:21,22]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
NOTES:
12:1–13:14 Since Christ marks the termination of the Mosaic
law as the primary source of guidance for God’s people (Rom 10:4), the apostle
explains how Christians can function, in the light of the gift of justification
through faith, in their relation to one another and the state.
12:1–8 The Mosaic code included elaborate directions on
sacrifices and other cultic observances. The gospel, however, invites believers
to present their bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1). Instead of being
limited by specific legal maxims, Christians are liberated for the exercise of
good judgment as they are confronted with the many and varied decisions
required in the course of daily life. To assist them, God distributes a variety
of gifts to the fellowship of believers, including those of prophecy, teaching,
and exhortation (Rom 12:6–8). Prophets assist the community to understand the
will of God as it applies to the present situation (Rom 12:6). Teachers help
people to understand themselves and their responsibilities in relation to
others (Rom 12:7). One who exhorts offers encouragement to the community to
exercise their faith in the performance of all that is pleasing to God (Rom
12:8). Indeed, this very section, beginning with Rom 12:1, is a specimen of
Paul’s own style of exhortation.
12:5 One body in Christ: on the church as the body of
Christ, see 1 Cor 12:12–27.
12:6 Everyone has some gift that can be used for the benefit
of the community. When the instruction on justification through faith is
correctly grasped, the possessor of a gift will understand that it is not an
instrument of self-aggrandizement. Possession of a gift is not an index to
quality of faith. Rather, the gift is a challenge to faithful use.
12:8 Over others: usually taken to mean “rule over” but
possibly “serve as a patron.” Wealthier members in Greco-Roman communities were
frequently asked to assist in public service projects. In view of the
references to contributing in generosity and to acts of mercy, Paul may have in
mind people like Phoebe (Rom 16:1–2), who is called a benefactor (or “patron”)
because of the services, she rendered to many Christians, including Paul.
12:14–21 Since God has justified the believers, it is not
necessary for them to take justice into their own hands by taking vengeance.
God will ultimately deal justly with all, including those who inflict injury on
the believers. This question of personal rights as a matter of justice prepares
the way for more detailed consideration of the state as an adjudicator.
Copyright © 2020 by Ekklesia Katholes (Acts 9:31)
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be produced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher.
No comments:
Post a Comment