Paul’s Epistle to the Romans
July 2, 2023
Opening Prayer
Last Week
What was valuable, or what stuck with you from last week?
Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of
God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy
and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do
not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect
will of God.
Three Thoughts
This cannot
be achieved purely by human will – this happens “in view of the mercies of God.”
The Spirit
guides, but does not force, Christians to do good works; neither do they happen
automatically apart from the believer’s will. (Psalm 51:10)
It is
misleading to say that Christians intuitively know how to please God and love
neighbor. This must be taught according to God’s Word. (The Third Use/Function
of the Law)
Romans 12:3-8
For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you
not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think
sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4 Now
as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same
function, 5 in the same way we who are many[1] are
one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6 According
to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use
it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if
service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if
exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with
generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with
cheerfulness.
v. 3
What grace has Paul received?
In what ways might people think too highly of themselves?
“Think sensibly,” – this word means to be sensible or
reasonable. Sometimes it is translated as self-controlled, sober, or right.
Why might it helpful to remember that God has “dealt out”
a measure of faith to each Christian?
Low
Anthropology
Humility
v.4-5
One body in Christ
We confess
this:
“I believe
in one holy Christian and apostolic Church …” – Nicene Creed
“I believe
in … the holy Christian Church …” – Apostles’ Creed
In relationship to one another we are one.
Again, this
is a confession we do not see perfectly enacted in this life.
Does
that make it less true?
Notice: It
is not merely that we belong with one another. We belong to one
another.
Radical
idea to a congregation of Jews and Gentiles that translates to today.
v. 6-8
Grace – charis / Gift – charismata
Romans 12:9-21
9 Let love be without
hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Love
one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one
another. 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be
fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice
in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share
with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless
those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice
with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live
in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with
the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do
not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is
honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible,
as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Friends,
do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is
written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the
Lord. 20 But
If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For in so doing
you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.[e]
21 Do not be conquered by evil, but
conquer evil with good.
v. 9-13
These verses correspond to 1 Corinthians 13 – The Love
Chapter.
There is a problem with many English translations in this
section – they supply imperative verbs (v. 9 has no verbs at all!) and turn
many of the participles into commands as well.
This is not a Christian “to do” list – it is a description
of Christian love.
Another Translation[2]
9Love [is] without
hypocrisy:
abhorring the evil, clinging to the
good,
10in brotherly love
[showing] familial affection for one another,
in honor leading the way for one
another,
11in zeal not [being]
lazy,
in the Spirit blazing,
serving as slaves to the Lord,
13sharing for the needs
of the holy ones,
pursuing the love of strangers.
14Bless the ones who
persecute [you]; bless and do not curse!
15To rejoice with the
rejoicing ones, to weep with the weeping ones,
16having the same
mindset toward one another,
not setting your mind on the
haughty things,
but associating with the lowly
ones.
Do not become wise beyond
yourselves;
17giving back to no one
evil in place of evil,
but being preocumpied with
excellent things before all people,
18if possible [in] that
which is from you, being at peace with all people.
19Whilenot avenging
yourselves, loved ones, rather, give a place for the wrath [of God]; indeed, it
stands written “‘Vengeance [is] for me; I myself will pay [it] back,’ says the
Lord.” 20But “if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is ever
thirsty, give him a drink. For, while doing this, you will heap burning coals
of fire upon his head.”
21Do not be conquered by
the evil, but conquer the evil [thing] with the good.
Elsewhere in Romans when Paul speaks of love it is always
about God’s love for us.
Here his focus changes to Christian love – love that flows
from having been loved.
Love from God in Christ through the Spirit to us then
serves as the foundation and motivation for all responsive Christlike behavior.[3]
“It happens that we hate things we ought not to, just as we
love things we ought not to. We are ordered to love our brothers, not hate
them. If you think someone is ungodly, remember that Christ died for the
ungodly. And if you think that because your brother is a sinner you do not have
to love him, remember that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” -
Origen
Wrapping Up
What is one insight/word of comfort/challenging idea that
you hope to hold onto from these verses?
How will the lessons learned from these verses impact your
faith life?
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