|
|
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| − | This is arguably the most outstanding passage of scripture in the New Testament exhorting believers to set themselves apart wholly unto God, and to be totally consecrated to His service. The word therefore reaches back to the previous chapters in which the mercies of God were explained - the justification, sanctification, and future glorification of believers. Paul uses these mercies as the basis for exhorting believers to henceforth live holy and righteous lives unto God. To "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God," means that our physical bodies, put at the disposal of God, are to be holy, both in the sense of being set apart for God's use, and of being free from sinful practices (cp Ro 6:8-13, 19, 22; 2Cor 5:14-16; 6:16-17:1; Ga 2:20; 5:16; Eph 4:20-24; Php 3:13-14).
| + | ====12:1 What does Paul mean that we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice unto God?==== |
| | | | |
| − | "This is our reasonable service" means that in light of God's mercies, it logically follows - reasonable is derived from the Greek word for logic, Logikos - that we owe God our highest form of service. We are no longer to be conformed to a world system without God, but transformed by a renewed mind committed to the ideals of the kingdom of God. Our thoughts, affections, purposes, and desires must be centred on heavenly and eternal things, not the things of this evil, temporal, and transient age. (cp Ro 12:2 with Mt 6:19-21, 24; Ro 13:14; Ga 1:3-5; Col 3:1-6; Jas 1:27; 4:4; 1Jn 2:15-17). See comments on all Ro 6 questions, also Ro 3:9, 5:12-14, 7:4, 7:7-23, 8:1-2, 8:3-4; Ga 5:17; Jas 4:5 and 1 Jn 3:6-9
| + | This is arguably the most outstanding passage of scripture in the New Testament exhorting believers to set themselves apart wholly unto God, and to be totally consecrated to His service. |
| | | | |
| − | ==<div id="12:2 What is God's will?"></div> 12:2 What is God's will?==
| + | The word therefore reaches back to the previous chapters in which the mercies of God were explained - the justification, sanctification, and future glorification of believers. Paul uses these mercies as the basis for exhorting believers to henceforth live holy and righteous lives unto God. |
| − | God's will is His word, the Bible. The Bible is the revealed will of God. It contains everything we need to know for Christian living. The more we study the Bible the more we know god's will. But knowing God's will is not enough; It has to be lived out in our everyday lives. That is what it means to "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." We prove it by practising it in our every-day lives (cp Psa 40:8; 119:1-6, 105-112, 129-130; Mt 7:21; Lk 6:47-49; Jas 1:21-25).
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | The phrase that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God does not teach as many in the church believe, that there are three levels of God's will. Good, acceptable, and perfect are merely adjectives that describe the same will of God. In the original Greek it simply reads, "The will of God, the good and well-pleasing, and the complete will." Prove means test, approve. We are proving that God's will is good, acceptable and perfect when we do it. (cp Psa 25:8-10; Pr 3:32; Dan 12:10; Jn 7:17; Eph 1:9-14; Php 2:12-13; 1 Th 4:3-7).
| + | To "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God," means that our physical bodies, put at the disposal of God, are to be holy, both in the sense of being set apart for God's use, and of being free from sinful practices (CP Ro 6:8-13, 19, 22; 2Cor 5:14-16; 6:16-17:1; Ga 2:20; 5:16; Eph 4:20-24; Php 3:13-14). |
| | | | |
| − | The Holy Spirit will take away the desire for anything that is contrary to God's will for us as we surrender ourselves to the lordship of Jesus and the authority of His word. (cp Jn 16:7-15; Ro 8:1-16; 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 5:14-17; Eph 4:20-24; 1 Pe 1:2; 1 Jn 2:20,27). The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit is a continuous work throughout the entirety of our Christian walk (cp Ro 1:16-17; 2 Cor 3:18; 4:13-16; Eph 5:25-27; Col 3:9-10; Tit 2:11-14; 3:5). See also comments on Jn 3:3, 3:5, 3:8, 4:10; Ro 6:3-5,6:16, 12:1 and Col 3:1-3,
| + | "This is our reasonable service" means that in light of God's mercies, it logically follows - reasonable is derived from the Greek word for logic, Logikos - that we owe God our highest form of service. We are no longer to be conformed to a world system without God, but transformed by a renewed mind committed to the ideals of the kingdom of God. |
| | | | |
| − | ==<div id="12:3 What exactly is Paul telling us here?"></div> 12:3 What exactly is Paul telling us here?==
| + | Our thoughts, affections, purposes, and desires must be centred on heavenly and eternal things, not the things of this evil, temporal, and transient age. (CP Ro 12:2 with Mt 6:19-21, 24; Ro 13:14; Ga 1:3-5; Col 3:1-6; Jas 1:27; 4:4; 1Jn 2:15-17). |
| − | The first consequence of being transformed by the renewing of our minds is a new self-understanding. Christians are not to have exaggerated opinions of who they are in Christ (cp V16). Everyone in the body of Christ has a ministry gift or function and none is more important than another. Ministries differ according to God's grace, but all complement each other and are important to God. (cp Ro 12:4-8 with 1Cor 12:4-18, 27-30; and Eph 4:7-16). The proportion of faith in Ro12:6 refers to the measure of faith in V3 (cp V3 with V6). Christians are to appraise and measure their ministry gifting in the body in accordance with the measure of faith God has given to each of us, and we are to operate within that sphere of faith - the bounds of that ministry - not beyond it (cp 2 Cor 10:12-18). It should be noted here that it is unscriptural and unwise to assume that because someone exercises a spectacular gift that person is more spiritual than one with a less spectacular gift. Neither does possessing that gift mean that God approves all the possessor does or teaches (cp Deut 1:17; 16:19; 2 Chr 19:7; Ro 2:10-11; 1 Cor 12:20-25; Jas 2:9). See also comments on 1Cor 12:12-17,12:28 and 2Cor 10:12.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | ==<div id="12:5 What does Paul mean that "We being many are one body in Christ"?"></div>12:5 What does Paul mean that "We being many are one body in Christ"?==
| + | See comments on all Ro 6 questions, also Ro 3:9, 5:12-14, 7:4, 7:7-23, 8:1-2, 8:3-4; Ga 5:17; Jas 4:5 and 1 Jn 3:6-9 and author's studies Romans 6 - a Study on God's Empowering of Believers through Jesus Christ to Overcome Sin in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1), |
| − | Paul uses the human body with its many members as an analogy to illustrate his point that the church is comprised of many Christians (cp 1Cor 10:16-17; 12:12-14;Eph 1:22-23; 2:13-16; Col 1:18, 24).The various members of the human body perform different functions, but all contribute to the unity of the body, so it is with the members of the body of Christ (cp 1Cor 12:18-27). In using the analogy of the human body, Paul is not arguing for a pattern of uniformity and sameness in the body of Christ, but for a unity of faith and diversity of functions (cp Ro 12:4-18, 28-31). See also comments on 1Cor 12:12-17, 12:28 and 2Cor 10:12.
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | ==<div id="12:9-10 See comments on Jn 13:34-35."></div> 12:9-10 See comments on Jn 13:34-35.==
| + | The Power of God in Christians to Overcome the Devil, The Doctrine of Grace and Regeneration and Sanctification Defined in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2), and What being Born Again Means in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith. |
| − | == <div id="12:16 See comments on Ro 12:3."></div> 12:16 See comments on Ro 12:3.==
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | ==<div id="12:18 How is this statement to be understood?"></div> 12:18 How is this statement to be understood?==
| + | [["Romans"]] |
| − | Christians must do all they can to promote peace and tolerance in the world (cp Mt 5:38-42; Mk 9:50; Lk 6:27-29; Ro 14:19; 1Cor 6:7; 2Cor 13:11; 1Th 5:13-15; He 12:14; 1Pe 3:9). However, the fact that Paul added the phrase, 'if it were possible,' means that it does not always rest with Christians to live peaceably with all men. It is also conditional upon others' attitudes and responses. As well, Christians cannot promote peace at any price - God's word cannot be compromised for the sake of peace (cp Ac 4:13-20; 5:26-29).
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==<div id="12:20 What does "for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head", mean?"></div> 12:20 What does "for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head", mean?==
| + | |
| − | Christians must never exact vengeance upon anyone who has wronged them. Instead they must give it over to God who will avenge them in due course (cp V17-19). Christians are to treat those who wrong them with loving kindness, which equates to Paul's injunction to give them food and drink if they are hungry (cp Ro 12:20-21). Repaying injury with kindness will bring a burning sense of shame and guilt upon them. This is what Paul means when he said "for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head" (cp V14 with Ex 23:4-5; Pr 24:17-18; 25:21-22: Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27-30).
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Back to [[Romans Study]]'''
| + | |
This is arguably the most outstanding passage of scripture in the New Testament exhorting believers to set themselves apart wholly unto God, and to be totally consecrated to His service.
The word therefore reaches back to the previous chapters in which the mercies of God were explained - the justification, sanctification, and future glorification of believers. Paul uses these mercies as the basis for exhorting believers to henceforth live holy and righteous lives unto God.
To "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God," means that our physical bodies, put at the disposal of God, are to be holy, both in the sense of being set apart for God's use, and of being free from sinful practices (CP Ro 6:8-13, 19, 22; 2Cor 5:14-16; 6:16-17:1; Ga 2:20; 5:16; Eph 4:20-24; Php 3:13-14).
"This is our reasonable service" means that in light of God's mercies, it logically follows - reasonable is derived from the Greek word for logic, Logikos - that we owe God our highest form of service. We are no longer to be conformed to a world system without God, but transformed by a renewed mind committed to the ideals of the kingdom of God.
Our thoughts, affections, purposes, and desires must be centred on heavenly and eternal things, not the things of this evil, temporal, and transient age. (CP Ro 12:2 with Mt 6:19-21, 24; Ro 13:14; Ga 1:3-5; Col 3:1-6; Jas 1:27; 4:4; 1Jn 2:15-17).
See comments on all Ro 6 questions, also Ro 3:9, 5:12-14, 7:4, 7:7-23, 8:1-2, 8:3-4; Ga 5:17; Jas 4:5 and 1 Jn 3:6-9 and author's studies Romans 6 - a Study on God's Empowering of Believers through Jesus Christ to Overcome Sin in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 1),
The Power of God in Christians to Overcome the Devil, The Doctrine of Grace and Regeneration and Sanctification Defined in his book Advanced Studies in the Christian Faith (Volume 2), and What being Born Again Means in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith.
