Romans 12:9-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9

Let love be unfeigned (so is rendered elsewhere ἀνυπόκριτος in the Authorized Version, cf. 2 Corinthians 6:6 ; 1 Timothy 1:5 ; 2 Timothy 1:5 ; 1 Peter 1:22 ). Abhor (literally, abhorring ) that which is evil; cleave (literally, cleaving ) to that which is good . The participles ἀποστυγοῦντες , etc., here and afterwards, may be understood as mildly imperative. Or perhaps the apostle connected them in thought with ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος , as if he had said, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-10

"Love unfeigned." Church-life is very important; but human life is wider and more important still. In the first age, and when Christian communities were few and small and persecuted, the life the followers of Jesus led was very much a life in common, and very distinct from that of the world around. We cannot wonder that so many of the apostolic counsels and injunctions referred to the conduct of Church-members towards one another, and towards one another as connected with actually existing... 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 12:10

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 12:9

Let love - The apostle proceeds to specify the duties of Christians in general, that they might secure the beauty and order of the church. The first which he specifies is love. This word here evidently refers to benevolence, or to good-will toward all mankind. In Romans 12:10 he specifies the duty of brotherly love; and there can be no doubt that he here refers to the benevolence which we ought to cherish toward all people. A similar distinction is found in 2 Peter 1:7, “And to... read more

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