Epistle of Paul to the Romans
Compiled by WD Kemner July 2024
Chapter 12 Overview
Romans Chapter 12 verses 1-2
Concordance: Godliness; Human Body a Temple
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.
Romans Chapter 12 verse 3
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.
Concordance: Gifts of the 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.
Romans Chapter 12 verse 9
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Romans Chapter 12 verses 10-13
Concordance: 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 should be called the Bylaws for Believers with Believers. This is not “optional” behavior. This is what is expected to be the Conduct among Believers. 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 in Eight Ways:
Romans Chapter 12 verses 14-17
Concordance: Body of Christ
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
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.
This should be called the Bylaws for Believers with NON-Believers.
How do we interact with mankind WHEN we are in contact with non-believers?
Is that when we take the opportunity to hide our beliefs and put our worldly face on?
Romans Chapter 12 verses 18-21
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.
Peaceful living with mankind
Verse 20: Proverbs 25:21-22.