B. Conduct within the church 12:3-21Every Christian has the same duty toward God, namely, dedication (Romans 12:1-2). Nevertheless the will of God for one Christian will differ from His will for another concerning life and ministry within the body of Christ (Romans 12:3-21). read more
It is important that we remember that we are part of a larger organism. We are not just a group of individuals each doing our own thing. Paul had previously used the body to illustrate the church in 1 Corinthians 12. What he said here recapped the main idea that he expounded more fully there. The body of Christ is a unified organism, and its members are diverse personally and in their functions."Your right hand has never yet had a fight with the left: on the contrary, each constantly helps the... read more
The gifts that we have are abilities that God gives us by His grace (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:6; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10). They are capacities for His service. [Note: For defense of the view that spiritual gifts are ministries rather than abilities, see Kenneth Berding, "Confusing Word and Concept in ’Spiritual Gifts’: Have We Forgotten James Barr’s Exhortations?" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 43:1 (March 200):37-51.] "Spiritual gifts are tools to build with, not toys to play... read more
All the gifts Paul mentioned in Romans 12:6-8 need exercising within the body of Christ for its members’ mutual benefit (cf. Romans 12:5). Obviously other gifts have other purposes. However, Paul was stressing here the need to recognize that the members of the body contribute to the common welfare. In each case he spoke of the way we use these gifts."Service" or "serving" (Romans 12:7, Gr. diakonia) probably refers to ministering to the material needs of other believers. [Note: Cranfield,... read more
Love is of primary importance (cf. Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39; 1 Corinthians 13). However it must be sincere (cf. 1 John 4:19-21). This command acts as a heading for this whole list of exhortations."Paul is not always talking specifically about love, but he keeps coming back to love as the single most important criterion for approved Christian behavior." [Note: Moo, p. 774.] The totally committed Christian should hate evil and love what is good, as his or her Lord does, expressing... read more
2. The necessity of love 12:9-21Romans 12:9-13 deal with the importance of demonstrating love to fellow believers, and Romans 12:14-21 broaden this responsibility to include wider application to non-believers. Note the similarity with Jesus’ instructions in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7)."From the thought of humility the idea of love naturally follows, for humility will necessarily express itself in affection for those around." [Note: Griffith Thomas, St. Paul’s Epistle . . ., p. 337.]... read more
We need to express love to individual people as well as to ideals (Romans 12:9). Giving recognition and appreciation to those who deserve it is a concrete way of expressing love. "Devoted" (Gr. philostorgoi) suggests family affection (cf. 1 Timothy 5:1-2). read more
It is natural for Christians to slack off in our diligence in serving the Lord when we have been Christians for some time. Apollos was a model of someone who maintained fervent diligence in his service (Acts 18:24-25; cf. Revelation 3:15-16), as was Paul. read more
12:2 conformed (i-4) As 1 Peter 1:14 . 'world' as 1 Corinthians 1:20 . prove (k-20) Lit. 'to your proving.' read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 12:3-8
1. The diversity of gifts 12:3-8 read more