Ro 12:1–21. Duties of
Believers, General and Particular.
The
doctrinal teaching of this Epistle is now followed up by a series of
exhortations to practical duty. And first, the all-comprehensive duty.
1.
I beseech you therefore—in view
of all that has been advanced in the foregoing part of this Epistle.
by
the mercies of God—those mercies, whose free and
unmerited nature, glorious Channel, and saving fruits have been opened up at
such length.
that
ye present—See on Ro 6:13, where we have the
same exhortation and the same word there rendered “yield” (as also in Ro 12:16,
19).
your
bodies—that is, “yourselves in the body,”
considered as the organ of the inner life. As it is through the body that all
the evil that is in the unrenewed heart comes forth into palpable manifestation
and action, so it is through the body that all the gracious principles and
affections of believers reveal themselves in the outward life. Sanctification extends
to the whole man (1Th 5:23, 24).
a
living sacrifice—in glorious contrast to the legal
sacrifices, which, save as they were slain, were no sacrifices at all.
The death of the one “Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world,” has swept
all dead victims from off the altar of God, to make room for the redeemed
themselves as “living sacrifices” to Him who made “Him to be sin for us”; while
every outgoing of their grateful hearts in praise, and every act prompted by
the love of Christ, is itself a sacrifice to God of a sweet-smelling savor (Heb
13:15, 16).
holy—As the Levitical victims, when offered without blemish to
God, were regarded as holy, so believers, “yielding themselves to God as those
that are alive from the dead, and their members as instruments of righteousness
unto God,” are, in His estimation, not ritually but really “holy,” and so
acceptable—“well-pleasing”
unto
God—not as the Levitical offerings,
merely as appointed symbols of spiritual ideas, but objects, intrinsically, of
divine complacency, in their renewed character, and endeared relationship to
Him through His Son Jesus Christ.
which
is your reasonable—rather, “rational”
service—in contrast, not to the senselessness of idol-worship, but
to the offering of irrational victims under the law. In this view the
presentation of ourselves, as living monuments of redeeming mercy, is here
called “our rational service”; and surely it is the most rational and exalted
occupation of God’s reasonable creatures. So 2Pe 1:5, “to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
2.
And be ye not conformed to this world—Compare
Eph 2:2; Ga 1:4, Greek.
but
be ye transformed—or, “transfigured” (as in Mt 17:2;
and 2Co 3:18, Greek).
by
the renewing of your mind—not by a
mere outward disconformity to the ungodly world, many of whose actions in
themselves may be virtuous and praiseworthy; but by such an inward spiritual
transformation as makes the whole life new—new in its motives and ends, even
where the actions differ in nothing from those of the world—new, considered as
a whole, and in such a sense as to be wholly unattainable save through the
constraining power of the love of Christ.
that
ye may prove—that is, experimentally. (On the
word “experience” see on Ro 5:4, and compare 1Th 5:10, where the sentiment is
the same).
what
is that—“the”
good
and acceptable—“well-pleasing”
and
perfect, will of God—We prefer this rendering (with Calvin) to that which many able critics
[Tholuck, Meyer, De Wette,
Fritzsche, Philippi, Alford,
Hodge] adopt—“that ye may prove,”
or “discern the will of God, [even] what is good, and acceptable, and perfect.”
God’s will is “good,” as it demands only what is essentially and
unchangeably good (Ro 7:10); it is “well pleasing,” in contrast with all
that is arbitrary, as demanding only what God has eternal complacency in
(compare Mic 6:8, with Je 9:24); and it is “perfect,” as it required
nothing else than the perfection of God’s reasonable creature, who, in
proportion as he attains to it, reflects God’s own perfection. Such then is the
great general duty of the redeemed—self-consecration,
in our whole spirit and soul and body to Him who hath called us into the
fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ. Next follow specific duties, chiefly
social; beginning with Humility, the chiefest of all the graces—but here with
special reference to spiritual gifts.
3.
For I say—authoritatively
through
the grace given unto me—as an
apostle of Jesus Christ; thus exemplifying his own precept by modestly falling
back on that office which both warranted and required such plainness towards
all classes.
to
every man that is among you, not to think,
&c.—It is impossible to convey in good English the emphatic play, so to
speak, which each word here has upon another: “not to be high-minded above what
he ought to be minded, but so to be minded as to be sober-minded” [Calvin, Alford].
This is merely a strong way of characterizing all undue self-elevation.
according
as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith—Faith is here viewed as the inlet to all the other graces,
and so, as the receptive faculty of the renewed soul—that is, “as God hath
given to each his particular capacity to take in the gifts and graces which He
designs for the general good.”
4,
5. For as we have many members,
&c.—The same diversity and yet unity obtains in the body of Christ, whereof
all believers are the several members, as in the natural body.
6–8.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace given to us—Here, let it be observed, all the gifts of believers alike
are viewed as communications of mere grace.
whether—we have the gift of
prophecy—that is, of inspired teaching (as in Ac 15:32). Anyone
speaking with divine authority—whether with reference to the past, the present,
or the future—was termed a prophet (Ex 7:1).
let
us prophesy according to the proportion of
faith—rather, “of our faith.” Many Romish
expositors and some Protestant (as Calvin
and Bengel, and, though,
hesitatingly, Beza and Hodge), render this “the analogy of
faith,” understanding by it “the general tenor” or “rule of faith,” divinely
delivered to men for their guidance. But this is against the context, whose
object is to show that, as all the gifts of believers are according to their
respective capacity for them, they are not to be puffed up on account of them,
but to use them purely for their proper ends.
7.
Or ministry, let us wait on—“be
occupied with.”
our
ministering—The word here used imports any kind
of service, from the dispensing of the word of life (Ac 6:4) to the administering
of the temporal affairs of the Church (Ac 6:1–3). The latter seems intended
here, being distinguished from “prophesying,” “teaching,” and “exhorting.”
or
he that teacheth—Teachers are expressly
distinguished from prophets, and put after them, as exercising a lower function
(Ac 13:1; 1Co 12:28, 29). Probably it consisted mainly in opening up the
evangelical bearings of Old Testament Scripture; and it was in this department
apparently that Apollos showed his power and eloquence (Ac 18:24).
8.
Or he that exhorteth—Since all preaching, whether by
apostles, prophets, or teachers, was followed up by exhortation (Ac 11:23;
14:22; 15:32, &c.), many think that no specific class is here in view. But
if liberty was given to others to exercise themselves occasionally in exhorting
the brethren, generally, or small parties of the less instructed, the reference
may be to them.
he
that giveth—in the exercise of private
benevolence probably, rather than in the discharge of diaconal duty.
with
simplicity—so the word probably means. But as
simplicity seems enjoined in the next clause but one of this same verse,
perhaps the meaning here is, “with liberality,” as the same word is rendered in
2Co 8:2; 9:11.
he
that ruleth—whether in the Church or his own
household. See 1Ti 3:4, 5, where the same word is applied to both.
with
diligence—with earnest purpose.
he
that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness—not
only without grudging either trouble or pecuniary relief, but feeling it to be
“more blessed to give than to receive,” and to help than be helped.
9.
Let love be without dissimulation—“Let
your love be unfeigned” (as in 2Co 6:6; 1Pe 2:22; and see 1Jn 3:18).
Abhor
that which is evil; cleave to that which is good—What a lofty tone of moral principle and feeling is here
inculcated! It is not, Abstain from the one, and do the other; nor, Turn away
from the one, and draw to the other; but, Abhor the one, and cling, with
deepest sympathy, to the other.
10.
Be, &c.—better, “In brotherly love
be affectionate one to another; in [giving, or showing] honor, outdoing each
other.” The word rendered “prefer” means rather “to go before,” “take the
lead,” that is, “show an example.” How opposite is this to the reigning
morality of the heathen world! and though Christianity has so changed the spirit
of society, that a certain beautiful disinterestedness and self-sacrifice
shines in the character of not a few who are but partially, if at all under the
transforming power of the Gospel, it is only those whom “the love of Christ
constrains to live not unto themselves,” who are capable of thoroughly acting
in the spirit of this precept.
11.
not slothful in business—The word
rendered “business” means “zeal,” “diligence,” “purpose”; denoting the energy
of action.
serving
the Lord—that is, the Lord Jesus (see Eph
6:5–8). Another reading—“serving the time,” or “the occasion”—which differs in
form but very slightly from the received reading, has been adopted by good
critics [Luther, Olshausen, Fritzsche, Meyer].
But as manuscript authority is decidedly against it, so is internal evidence;
and comparatively few favor it. Nor is the sense which it yields a very
Christian one.
12.
Rejoicing, &c.—Here it is more lively to
retain the order and the verbs of the original: “In hope, rejoicing; in
tribulation, enduring; in prayer, persevering.” Each of these exercises helps
the other. If our “hope” of glory is so assured that it is a rejoicing hope, we
shall find the spirit of “endurance in tribulation” natural and easy; but since
it is “prayer” which strengthens the faith that begets hope and lifts it up
into an assured and joyful expectancy, and since our patience in tribulation is
fed by this, it will be seen that all depends on our “perseverance in prayer.”
13.
given to hospitality—that is, the entertainment of strangers.
In times of persecution, and before the general institution of houses of
entertainment, the importance of this precept would be at once felt. In the
East, where such houses are still rare, this duty is regarded as of the most
sacred character [Hodge].
14.
Bless—that is, Call down by prayer a
blessing on.
them
which persecute you, &c.—This is taken from the
Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:44), which, from the allusions made to it, seems to
have been the storehouse of Christian morality among the churches.
15.
Rejoice with them that rejoice; and weep—the
“and” should probably be omitted.
with
them that weep—What a beautiful spirit of sympathy
with the joys and sorrows of others is here inculcated! But it is only one
charming phase of the unselfish character which belongs to all living
Christianity. What a world will ours be when this shall become its reigning
spirit! Of the two, however, it is more easy to sympathize with another’s
sorrows than his joys, because in the one case he needs us; in the other
not. But just for this reason the latter is the more disinterested, and so the
nobler.
16.
Be—“Being”
of
the same mind one toward another—The
feeling of the common bond which binds all Christians to each other, whatever
diversity of station, cultivation, temperament, or gifts may obtain among them,
is the thing here enjoined. This is next taken up in detail.
Mind
not—“not minding”
high
things—that is, Cherish not ambitious or
aspiring purposes and desires. As this springs from selfish severance of our
own interests and objects from those of our brethren, so it is quite
incompatible with the spirit inculcated in the preceding clause.
but
condescend—“condescending”
to
men of low estate—or (as some render the words),
“inclining unto the things that be lowly.” But we prefer the former.
Be
not wise in your own conceits—This
is just the application of the caution against high-mindedness to the estimate
we form of our own mental character.
17.
Recompense—“Recompensing,” &c.—(See on Ro
12:14).
Provide—“Providing”
things
honest—“honorable”
in
the sight of all men—The idea (which is from Pr 3:4) is
the care which Christians should take so to demean themselves as to command the
respect of all men.
18.
If it be possible—that is, If others will let you.
as
much as lieth in you—or, “dependeth on you.”
live
peaceably—or, “be at peace.”
with
all men—The impossibility of this in some
cases is hinted at, to keep up the hearts of those who, having done their best
unsuccessfully to live in peace, might be tempted to think the failure was necessarily
owing to themselves. But how emphatically expressed is the injunction to let
nothing on our part prevent it! Would that Christians were guiltless in this
respect!
19–21.
avenge not, &c.—(See on Ro 12:14).
but
rather give place unto wrath—This
is usually taken to mean, “but give room or space for wrath to spend itself.”
But as the context shows that the injunction is to leave vengeance to God,
“wrath” here seems to mean, not the offense, which we are tempted to
avenge, but the avenging wrath of God (see 2Ch 24:18), which we are
enjoined to await, or give room for. (So the best interpreters).
20.
if thine enemy hunger,
&c.—This is taken from Pr 25:21, 22, which without doubt supplied the basis
of those lofty precepts on that subject which form the culminating point of the
Sermon on the Mount.
in
so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head—As the heaping of “coals of fire” is in the Old Testament
the figurative expression of divine vengeance (Ps 140:10; 11:6, &c.), the
true sense of these words seems to be, “That will be the most effectual
vengeance—a vengeance under which he will be fain to bend” (So Alford, Hodge,
&c.). Ro 12:21 confirms this.
21.
Be not overcome of evil—for then
you are the conquered party.
but
overcome evil with good—and then
the victory is yours; you have subdued your enemy in the noblest sense.
Note, (1) The redeeming mercy of God in Christ is, in the souls
of believers, the living spring of all holy obedience (Ro 12:1). (2) As
redemption under the Gospel is not by irrational victims, as under the law, but
“by the precious blood of Christ” (1Pe 1:18, 19), and, consequently, is not
ritual but real, so the sacrifices which believers are now called to offer are
all “living sacrifices”; and these—summed up in self-consecration to the
service of God—are “holy and acceptable to God,” making up together “our
rational service” (Ro 12:1). (3) In this light, what are we to think of the
so-called “unbloody sacrifice of the mass, continually offered to God as a
propitiation for the sins both of the living and the dead,” which the adherents
of Rome’s corrupt faith have been taught for ages to believe is the highest and
holiest act of Christian worship—in direct opposition to the sublimely simple
teaching which the Christians of Rome first received (Ro 12:1)—(4) Christians
should not feel themselves at liberty to be conformed to the world, if only
they avoid what is manifestly sinful; but rather, yielding themselves to the
transforming power of the truth as it is in Jesus, they should strive to
exhibit before the world an entire renovation of heart and life (Ro 12:2). (5)
What God would have men to be, in all its beauty and grandeur, is for the first
time really apprehended, when “written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the
living God, not on tables of stone, but on the fleshy tables of the heart,” 2Co
3:3 (Ro 12:2). (6) Self-sufficiency and lust of power are peculiarly unlovely
in the vessels of mercy, whose respective graces and gifts are all a divine
trust for the benefit of the common body and of mankind at large (Ro 12:3, 4).
(7) As forgetfulness of this has been the source of innumerable and unspeakable
evils in the Church of Christ, so the faithful exercise by every Christian of
his own peculiar office and gifts, and the loving recognition of those of his
brethren, as all of equal importance in their own place, would put a new face
upon the visible Church, to the vast benefit and comfort of Christians
themselves and to the admiration of the world around them (Ro 12:6–8). (8) What
would the world be, if it were filled with Christians having but one object in
life, high above every other—to “serve the Lord”—and throwing into this service
“alacrity” in the discharge of all duties, and abiding “warmth of spirit” (Ro
12:11)! (9) Oh, how far is even the living Church from exhibiting the whole
character and spirit, so beautifully portrayed in the latter verses of this
chapter (Ro 12:12–21)! What need of a fresh baptism of the Spirit in order to
this! And how “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with
banners,” will the Church become, when at length instinct with this Spirit! The
Lord hasten it in its time!
Excerpt from:
A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown
Rick Meyers. e-Sword ®: www.e-sword.net
