Romans 12:11-12

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

John Gill

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

Rejoicing in hope ,.... Of the glory of God, than the hope of which nothing can make a believer more cheerful in this world; the saints' joy is therefore called the "rejoicing of the hope", Hebrews 3:6 . This is placed between serving the Lord, and being patient in tribulation; for nothing tends more to animate the people of God to a cheerful serving of him, or to make them more patient under afflictions, than a hope of being for ever with the Lord: patient in tribulation ; whilst 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

Adam Clarke

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

Rejoicing in hope - Of that glory of God that to each faithful follower of Christ shall shortly be revealed. Patient in tribulation - Remembering that what you suffer as Christians you suffer for Christ's sake; and it is to his honor, and the honor of your Christian profession, that you suffer it with an even mind. Continuing instant in prayer - Προσκαρτερουντες· Making the most fervent and intense application to the throne of grace for the light and power of the Holy Spirit;... 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

John Calvin

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

Verse 12 12.Rejoicing in hope, etc. Three things are here connected together, and seem in a manner to belong to the clause “serving the time;” for the person who accommodates himself best to the time, and avails himself of the opportunity of actively renewing his course, is he who derives his joy from the hope of future life, and patiently bears tribulations. However this may be, (for it matters not much whether you regard them as connected or separated,) he first; forbids us to acquiesce in... 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

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