Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the

 

ROMANS

 

Reference Compiled by WD Kemner July 2024

 

 

Chapter 12

 

 

 

Passage: Romans 12:1-2

Topics: Godliness, Human body Godly

 

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

                                                     

 

 

Human body is a temple of God and should be treated as such. Treating it with reverence, keeping it clean from foreign contamination. Avoiding defacing God’s creation. i.e. smoking, drinking, tattooing, self-inflicted damage, etc.

 

 

Passage: Romans 12:3

Topics: Pridefulness

 

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.   

 

 

 

Haughty spirit. Proud to point of arrogance. Current obsession of producing images of oneself for social media.

 

 

Passage: Romans 12:4-8

Topics: Body of Christ - various gifts but one body

 

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

 

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

 

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

 

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

 

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

 

 

 

In similar fashion, believers are to act as one body since they all belong to the body of Christ.

 

 

Passage: Romans 12:9

Topics: Love, Goodness

 

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

 

 

 

 

Passage: Romans 12:10-13

Topics: Contract for Body of Christ

 

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

 

11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

 

12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

 

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

 

 

This is the Bylaws for believers. This is not “optional” behavior. This is what is expected to be the Conduct among one another. Not just one of these items, but all of them! How many of these are practiced within any given church body?

 

·         Brotherly Love being expressed

 

·         “Preferring one another” – thinking of and placing the other members of the body (other believers) before one’s own comfort and needs.

 

·         “Not slothful in business” – not lazy, a business ran by a believer should have the greatest amount of integrity in the world.

 

·         “fervent in spirit” – excited, earnest, glowing, on fire.

 

·         “Rejoicing in Hope”

 

·         “Patient in Tribulation”

 

·         Constantly in Prayer

 

·         Distributing to the saints – to the “necessity” of, providing EVERYTHING that is needed, not just when there is a catastrophe

 

·         Given to hospitality.

 

 

Passage: Romans 12:14-15

Topics: Contract with world

 

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

 

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.          

 

 

 

Contract with the world

 

 

Passage: Romans 12:16-17

Topics: Body of Christ relationship to mankind

 

16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

 

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.      

 

 

 

How do we interact with mankind?

 

 

Passage: Romans 12:18-21

Topics: Peaceful living with mankind

 

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

 

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

 

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

 

 

Verse 20: Proverbs 25:21-22