Sunday, January 25, 2015

Romans 12:9–21

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Commentary
Vs. 9 "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." 
Unhypocritical love is the mark of genuine Christianity, and thus the genuine Christian (John 13:35; 1 John 4:8). Thus it is not "religious service" that is being commanded here, (that is observing man-made "religious" rituals and ordinances and prayers and such rather it is Christ-like Character, something that is not to be feigned, but rather is the outworking of the love of God through the life of the Lord Jesus Christ within us all who believe in Him. 
"Abhor what is evil", that is have a holy hatred of it, and thus do not allow it in your life, because where evil is permitted, assimilation into it and its ways is always the end result. Now in abhoring what is evil we are to fill that void and "cling to what is good". That is to join ourselves and hearts to it, for in clinging to what is good, darkness is driven out and driven away. For Satan does not dwell, nor does he work his evil amongst those who cling to what is good (consider 1 John 5:18).  

Vs. 10 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" 

Here the exhortation is to literally cherishing one's brethren as one does one's own beloved family members or children. Thus tender kindness, loving affection, with all devotion is how we should be towards all who call upon the Lord Jesus with a pure heart (consider Tim. 2:22; 1 Peter 1:22). 
"in honor giving preference to one another." Treating our brethren with honor and respect and giving preference to one another is part and parcel of our building meaningful relationships that build up and strengthen each other not only in the faith, but also in our daily lives. 

Vs. 11 "not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord"
The word translated diligence here is the same word translated diligence in vs. 8. Therefore the idle Christian is an oxymoron, For God has equipped us all for His service, and has a purpose to fulfill through our lives, therefore as Christ's chosen people we are to serve Him in all diligence, not lagging in it, that is not lacking in ambition and zeal in pursuing it (LN). But rather we are to give ourselves and lives entirely to His purposes for us. As the Apostle says here "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." 

Vs. 12 "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer"
The Apostle Paul now mentions three things for us as believers to follow. And like the previous exhortation which he also gave in groups of three, these are linked to one another. Now the first. "Rejoicing in hope." If there is one thing that every Christian possesses it is hope. Not a wish, not a desire, but hope. Hope that is born out of the fact that we have been redeemed by Christ and thus have everlasting life with Him. Nothing than can separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:28-39). Our hope then, which is Christ Himself, is what leads to our being "patient in tribulation." Tribulation here is anything that puts pressure on us, or causes us to be distressed. Literally anything that tests or tires our person or faith, or brings us into the sufferings that we will have to endure for Christ's sake is apart of the tribulations that we will have to pass through in this life. As Jesus has already told us, "...In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Which then links us to the last exhortation in this section which is "continuing steadfastly in prayer." For it is only by remaining with God in prayer during these troubling times that we grow in our faith and come through our darkest hours. Prayer here then is not some sort of ritualized or ceremonial prayer that people say in trying to appease or serve God. Nor is it some sort of prayer formula that people say we should pray to fight off the powers of darkness that have surrounded us in our weak and vulnerable moments. Rather it is prayer that is coming to God through Christ as our Lord and Savior who was also rejected, despised, mocked, and persecuted by ungodly and unbelieving men and women. But now Jesus having overcome them and their ways lives exalted forever at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us. It is than prayer that says, Abba Father it's only You I look too. For You alone are my Strength and Shield and You will not forsake me during these difficult and troubling times (Deut 31:6; Psalm 37:39-40).

Vs. 13 "distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." 
Now in distributing to the needs of the saints (that is our fellow believers) one cannot but be given to a spirit of hospitality. For generosity by it's very nature requires hospitality, if it is born out of loving concern for one's brethren (1 John 3:16-18). And that is what is being commanded here not only care and concern for each other but also we are to be given to hospitality towards each other and all for that is the nature of Christ Himself.

Vs. 14 "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."
This exhortation is a reaffirming the Lord's commandment given us in Matt 5:44, while the command here has overtones in verses 17, 18, 19-21. Blessing rather than cursing will defuse hostilities and even ones own hostile thoughts or intentions towards another. For you cannot genuinely bless someone and then seek or wish them harm. But if you openly curse someone, or speak ill of them, you're only opening a door to Satan to work his harm through you, with what you say and do while under a spirit of hostility. None of which Jesus would have any of us do towards those who persecute us, or have harmed us. I know this command is not an easy one, but it is an achievable one, as we submit to God's Will, and resist our sinful natures will, God will empower us through His grace to do His Will.

Vs. 15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." 
Sharing in each others joys and sorrows will not only build strong bonds amongst us who believe, but also teaches us how to walk in love and concern towards each other and towards all. 

Vs. 16 "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion."

The Apostle Paul now lists four things that we are to follow, and all have one common purpose, to undermine human vanity and pride which can so easily overtake anyone of us.
Now too the list. That we are to be of the same mind towards one another is not a command that would have us mindlessly agree with each other on every non-moral and non-essential doctrine and thing. For those things we have the Holy Scripture from which we all must draw our faith beliefs from. For everything else there is liberty of thought and conscience (consider 1 Cor 6:12; 10:23). For in the Household of faith unity of thought and purpose does not mean an end to diversity of opinions.
Thus be of the same mind towards each other is in regards to our mutual standing and position that all who believe in Christ have. Therefore we are to see each other as beloved by the Lord, with none greater or non lessor in the eyes of the Lord (and hopefully ourselves as well), and thus we are to be of the same mind towards each other. Since we who believe In Christ are all In Christ (and He in us) and thus we all have the same Spirit within us, that both Spiritually unites us, as well is transforming us from one glory to another. There is then an inherent equality and peace and purpose about us all, which began with our being redeemed by God's grace, and continues with our being sealed and sanctified by God's Spirit for God's eternal purposes for us all. Therefore as the Scripture exhorts here and elsewhere let us all be of the same mind towards one another. For then we will live and be at peace with one another (see Rom 15:5; 2 Cor 13:11; Phil. 2:2, 4:2; 1 Peter 3:8).

"Do not set your mind on high things" In regards to this consider David's words in Psalm 131:1 where there is a genuine humility and quietness of soul expressed. Not the the loftiness of man or the vain pursuits of the same. Instead let us all associate with the humble, with those who will receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save our souls (James 1:21). Rather than run our race of faith like those who are "rich" in their own eyes, and thus think they are in need of nothing (see Rev 3:17-19). For truly the Kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit, not the proud in spirit (see Matt 5:3). Therefore let us all seek to walk in lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than ourselves so that we might be a people of God who truly represent the life and purposes of the Lord Jesus Christ down here (consider Eph 4:1-3; Phil 2:3).

"Do not be wise in your own opinion." To think oneself "wise" is just a symptom of ones own arrogance and sin. For those who think themselves wise are only blind to their own weaknesses and foolishness and ultimately the fall that is ahead of them (consider 2 Sam. 22:28; Prov 16:18; 18:12; 21:4). Therefore let us all reaffirm in our hearts and minds that it is God alone who is wise, to whom belongs all glory, wisdom, power, and honor (1 Tim 1:17; Jude 25).

Vs. 17-18  17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 

Here we are commanded not to repay evil with evil. Instead we should forgo our wrath and not try to "get even" (consider Prov. 20:22; 24:29). For we must have regard for good things in the sight of all men. As well repaying evil with evil only sets in motion more of the same. And the harm caused by it will be required of all who pursue it. Therefore instead of following that which is the way of the world, we are to try to live peaceably with all men (vs. 18; also see Heb 12:14). Not that all men will live peaceably with us, but as much as depends on us we are to seek to live peaceably with them.

Vs. 19-21 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

And so rather than avenging oneself, we are to give place to wrath, and thus let God who is the God of justice handle it. As the Scripture says: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. " 
Now verse twenty. This is not a exhortation to do good to someone who has harmed you so as to bring God's judgment down on them. Though that maybe the result if you use it that way. But if you do, don't be surprised if your likewise repaid for the wrongs you have done (consider James 2:13). Instead the thought here is that by doing good to them you are overcoming evil by doing good (vs 21). Thus rather than harboring it in your heart, you strive to bring it to an end, that is Christ's way.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources 
Kittel, Gerhard, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1985.

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 292). New York: United Bible Societies.

Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001.

MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. Edited by Arthur Farstad. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

Word Studies 
Vs. 10 kindly affectionate; LN. 25.41 φιλόστοργος, ον: pertaining to love or affection for those closely related to one, particularly members of one’s immediate family or in-group—‘very loving, warmly devoted to, very affectionate.’

Vs. 11 lagging; LN 88.250 ὀκνηρόςa, ά, όν: pertaining to shrinking from or hesitating to engage in something worthwhile, possibly implying lack of ambition—‘lazy, lacking in ambition.’ τῇ σπουδῇ μὴ ὀκνηροί ‘not lacking in zeal’ Ro 12:11.

"fervent in spirit"; LN 25.73 ζέω τῷ πνεύματι: (an idiom, literally ‘to boil in the spirit’) to show great eagerness toward something—‘to show enthusiasm, to commit oneself completely to.’ ζέων τῷ πνεύματι ἐλάλει καὶ ἐδίδασκεν ἀκριβῶς τὰ περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ‘with great enthusiasm he spoke and taught correctly the facts about Jesus’ Ac 18.25.




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