Romans 12:4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 12:3-8

12:3-8 For, through the grace that has been given to me, I say to everyone among you, not to have a mind proud beyond that which a mind should be, but to have a mind directed towards wisdom, as God has given the measure of faith to each one of you. For just as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so, although we are many, we are one body in Christ, and we are all members of each other. Since, then, we have different gifts, according to the grace... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:4

For as we have many members in one body ,.... The apostle illustrates what he said last concerning God's dealing to every man the measure of faith, by comparing the church of Christ to an human body, which is but one, and has many members in union with it, and one another; and which are placed in an exact symmetry and proportion, and in proper subserviency to each other, and for the good of the whole: and all members have not the same office , or "action"; they do not exercise the same... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:4

For as we have many members - As the human body consists of many parts, each having its respective office, and all contributing to the perfection and support of the whole; each being indispensably necessary in the place which it occupies, and each equally useful though performing a different function; read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:4

Verse 4 4.For as in one body, etc. The very thing which he had previously said of limiting the wisdom of each according to the measure of faith, he now confirms by a reference to the vocation of the faithful; for we are called for this end, that we may unite together in one body, since Christ has ordained a fellowship and connection between the faithful similar to that which exists between the members of the human body; and as men could not of themselves come together into such an union, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:3-5

Membership in Christ. The great principles laid down at the outset of this chapter have to be followed out into practice. Paul shows how consecration and renewal are to manifest themselves in actual life, and how the will of God is to be practically proved. In so doing—perhaps because he is writing to a Church, and not to an individual—he first treats of the obligations of social Christianity, and shows how members of a brotherhood ought to act in their association with one another, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:3-8

Diversity and unity in the Church of Christ. The subject of union among the various branches of the Church of Christ is one to which much attention has of late years been turned. The efforts of the Evangelical Alliance have been largely directed to secure a more brotherly relationship and more hearty co-operation between the different denominations of Christians. Some Christians desire an organic union of all sections of the Church, but the passage before us indicates that there may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:3-8

Christian humility. The life of Christian consecration is now set forth in its practical bearings. We have life in the Church, including its attitude towards those that are without ( Romans 12:1-21 .), and life in the state ( Romans 13:1-14 .). The life of members of the Church, as such, is set forth as controlled by two great vital principles: humility, as regards one's self; love, as regards others. Here the grace of humility is insisted on, as regulating each one's thoughts and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:4-5

For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office; so we, the many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another . The illustration of the body with its members to set forth the mutual dependence on each other of the several members of the Church with their several gifts and functions, and the importance of all for the well-being of the whole, is further carried out in 1 Corinthians 12:12 , seq. In Ephesians 1:22 and Ephesians 4:15 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:4-8

Churchmanship. Having seen what Christian individualism is meant to be in the preceding verses, we now enter upon the wider relation of Churchmanship. For the apostle is not here speaking of human nature in its social aspects, as we find it so powerfully expounded for us in Bishop Butler's 'Sermons upon Human Nature,' but in its Church aspect, the relation of the individual to the one body which has its organic existence "in Christ." The apostle would have us to believe that we are... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Romans 12:4

For - This word here denotes a further illustration or proof of what he had just before said. The duty to which he was exhorting the Romans was, not to be unduly exalted or elevated in their own estimation. In order to produce proper humility, he shows them that God has appointed certain orders or grades in the church; that all are useful in their proper place; that we should seek to discharge our duty in our appropriate sphere; and thus that due subordination and order would be observed. To... read more

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