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William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 12:9-13

12:9-13 Your love must be completely sincere. Hate that which is evil and cling to that which is good. Be affectionate to one another in brotherly love. Give to each other priority in honour. Do not be sluggish in zeal. Keep your spirit at boiling point. Seize your opportunities. Rejoice in hope. Meet tribulation with triumphant fortitude. Be persevering in prayer. Share what you have to help the needs of God's dedicated people. Be eager in giving hospitality. Paul presents his people with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:11

Not slothful in business ,.... Meaning not worldly business, or the affairs of life; though slothfulness in this respect is scandalous to human nature, and especially in persons under a profession of religion; men should diligently pursue their lawful callings for the support of themselves and families, and the interest of Christ: but spiritual business, the affairs of piety and religion, the service of God, private and public, to which we should not be backward, nor slothful in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:11

Not slothful in business - That God, who forbade working on the seventh day, has, by the same authority, enjoined it on the other six days. He who neglects to labor during the week is as culpable as he is who works on the Sabbath. An idle, slothful person can never be a Christian. Fervent in spirit - Τῳ πνευματι ζεοντες· Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged. Be always in earnest, and let... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:11

Verse 11 11.Not slothful in business, etc. This precept is given to us, not only because a Christian life ought to be an active life; but because it often becomes us to overlook our own benefit, and to spend our labors in behalf of our brethren. In a word, we ought in many things to forget ourselves; for except we be in earnest, and diligently strive to shake off all sloth, we shall never be rightly prepared for the service of Christ. (392) By adding fervent in spirit, he shows how we are to... read more

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 12:11

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

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