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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-21

Various admonitions, applicable to all; headed by inculcation of the all-pervading principle of love. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-21

Christian love. Now we come to the great central principle of the Christian life in its social relations among men—true love. And, as the apostle addresses Church-members, he paints this love, by a few vivid strokes, as they owe it to their fellow-members, and also to those that are without. I. First, as members of Christ, they are to love one another. 1. The ethical character of this love. It is holy. Not a mere sentimental tenderness, but a love that abhors the evil, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-21

Christian socialism. From Churchmanship, which was discussed by the apostle in the preceding verses, we now pass to the Christian in society; and our endeavour will be to appreciate the Christian socialism which Paul here inculcates. The great error of the Christless socialism which prevails, alas! in many lands, is that it tries to do from without and by mere material manipulation what can only come from within through the Christian spirit. Into the various forms which socialism has... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:10

In brotherly love ( φιλαδελφίᾳ ) be kindly affectioned ( φιλόστοργοι ) one to another ( φιλαδελφία , expressing the love of Christians for each other, is a special form or manifestation of general ἀάπη . In it there should be ever the warmth of family affection, στοργή ); in honour preferring one another ; literally, according to the proper sense of προηγούμενοι , taking the lead of each other in honour—i.e., in showing honour, rather than equivalent to ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:11

In business (rather, diligence ) not slothful; in spirit fervent (we are to do with our might whatever our hand finds to do; yea, with fervent zeal); serving the Lord . For τῷ κυρίῳ , ( the Lord ) , some manuscripts have τῷ καιρῷ ( the time, or the opportunity ) , which reading is preferred by some commentators on the ground that it is less likely to have been instituted for the familiar τῷ κυρίῳ than vice versa. But τῷ κυρίῳ is best... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:11

The spirit of Christian service. Religion is a personal, individual matter. Its seat is in the heart. Christianity is both an intelligible truth and a living power. It enters into and takes possession of a man's spiritual nature; and controls and governs his life, and affects his social relations. Christ dwells in the heart by faith, and rules in the heart by the energy of the Divine Spirit. It is in this light that the apostle in this verse regards the religion which he authoritatively... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:11-12

The Christian's duty to himself. While we are to think of others, we are to think of ourselves also. Herbert Spencer has contrasted the "religion of enmity," or the religion of heathenism, with what he calls the "religion of amity," or the religion of Christianity. But he speaks as if the Christian precept was, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour better than thyself." It is not so. The command is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." "To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:12

Patience, hope, and prayer. In the preceding verse the active, energetic side of religion is presented with vivacity and completeness. And this is perhaps the most important of all the trustful results of true Christianity. It was an end worthy of the Divine interposition to introduce amongst men the purpose and the power to serve the Lord with fervour and with diligence. Yet this is not all which our religion does for us. Our life is not altogether in our own hands; we cannot control and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:12-14

In hope rejoicing; in tribulation enduring; in prayer continuing instant; communicating to the necessities of the saints ( i.e. Christians); given to (literally, pursuing ) hospitality . Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not . In Romans 12:14 the form of the admonition passes from participles to direct imperatives, a positive command of Christ being adduced. In Romans 12:15 the gentler admonitory form of in the infinitive is taken up, passing to participles, as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 12:6

Having then gifts - All the endowments which Christians have are regarded by the apostle as gifts. God has conferred them; and this fact, when properly felt, tends much to prevent our thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, Romans 12:3. For the use of the word rendered “gifts,” see Romans 1:11; Romans 5:15-16; Romans 6:23; Romans 11:29; 1Co 7:7; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:9,1 Corinthians 12:28, etc. It may refer to natural endowments as well as to the favors of... read more

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