Romans 12
Summary for Rom 12:1-15:7: 12:1–15:13 a This section of Romans sets out the moral and ethical demands of the Good News. God’s gift of salvation in Christ requires a response. God is not satisfied simply with forgiving our sin; he wants to transform our lives. Most of what Paul teaches concerning the moral duties of believers is paralleled in other letters. However, it also seems clear that he has chosen issues pertinent to the situation in Rome—most notably, the dispute between people who are weak in faith and people who are strong in faith (14:1–15:13 b). 12:1 c Your bodies refers to the whole person in contact with the world, not just the physical body.• because of all he has done for you: As described in chs 1–11 d.
• This is truly the way to worship him (or This is your spiritual worship; or This is your reasonable service): This phrase has at least three possible meanings: (1) Our sacrifice is reasonable in light of all God’s mercies; (2) our sacrifice is spiritual, not the offering of an animal but of ourselves in spiritual service; or (3) our sacrifice is intelligent, offered with complete awareness of God’s goodness to us.
12:2 e this world (literally this age): The division of history into two ages was typical of the Jewish worldview. Early Christians adapted this point of view, identifying the coming of Christ as the time when the new age of salvation began. Unexpectedly, however, the new age did not bring an end to the old age. The old way of thinking and living continues, and it is a source of temptation even to Christians who seek to conform their lives to the values of the new age.
12:3 f by the faith God has given us: Or by the faith God has given you; or by the standard of our God-given faith. Whether Paul is referring to the amount of faith each of us has been given or to the Christian faith that we all hold in common, we need to assess ourselves accurately by this measure and not be vain about the abilities God has given us.
Summary for Rom 12:4-5: 12:4-5 g so it is with Christ’s body: The parallel between the human body and the church—the body of Christ—is also found in 1 Cor 12 h. This metaphor provides an effective picture of unity and diversity in the church (cp. Livy, History 2.32; Epictetus, Discourses 2.10.4–5).
12:6 i The ability to prophesy was one of the most important of the New Testament gifts (see also 1 Cor 12:28 j; Eph 4:11 k). Although prophets are mentioned in several passages in Acts as predicting the future (see Acts 11:28 l; 21:10-12 m), the prophet’s most fundamental responsibility is to communicate God’s message to the community of believers (1 Cor 12:3 n, 24-25 o, 29-30 p; see also 1 Cor 14:1-40 q).
• as much faith as God has given you (literally in proportion to the faith): Proportion (Greek analogia) is a word drawn from mathematics and logic, where it refers to the correct proportions in a relationship among things, quantities, or ideas. Paul uses the phrase to remind prophets to make sure that their utterances are in right proportion to faith, whether the amount of individual faith the prophet has been given, or the Christian faith in general (see study note on Rom 12:3). This passage has given theology the phrase the analogy of faith, which refers to the importance of bringing the interpretation of any particular passage into line with the teaching of all of Scripture.
12:7 r teacher: The gift of teaching comes third in the list of gifts in 1 Cor 12:28 s and fifth in Eph 4:11 t. While prophets communicate to the community a message received directly from God, teachers address the church on the basis of studying the word of God.
12:8 u give generously: See also 2 Cor 8:2 v; 9:11 w, 13 x.
Summary for Rom 12:9-21: 12:9-21 y The many injunctions in these verses do not follow a neat logical arrangement. The overall topic, stated at the beginning, is sincere love. Paul shows how we are to love both those inside the church (12:10 z, 13 aa, 15-16 ab) and those outside the church (12:14 ac, 17-21 ad).
12:10 ae genuine affection: Literally brotherly love. Christians are to love each other with the mutual love and commitment that are found within a healthy family.
12:11 af but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically: As Christians, we are to be passionate about our faith and eager to fulfill our ministry to others within the church.
12:12 ag The three commands in this verse are related. By rejoicing in confident hope, we can be patient in trouble. Continually praying is essential if we desire to have this attitude toward the difficulties of life (see also 8:24-27 ah).
12:13 ai be ready to help them: The verb Paul uses is related to the familiar Greek word koinōnia (“fellowship”). When needs arise among our Christian brothers and sisters, we are not just to meet their needs; we should also enter into fellowship with these fellow Christians in ways that extend beyond material gifts.
12:14 aj The exhortations in this verse closely resemble two sayings of Jesus (Matt 5:44 ak; Luke 6:27-28 al). Although Paul does not introduce the commands as a quotation, he is almost certainly alluding to these sayings of Christ. Perhaps the words were so well known that he did not need to specify the source. The teaching of Rom 12–13 am has many parallels with the teaching of Jesus.
12:16 an All three exhortations in this verse use the Greek word phroneō (think). Paul addresses the need for right Christian thinking when it comes to our relationships with other Christians.
• Live in harmony: Literally Think the same things.
• Don’t be too proud: Literally Don’t think arrogant things.
12:18 ao Do all that you can: Paul recognizes that our efforts to live at peace with others will sometimes be frustrated by our own moral constraints or by other people’s unwillingness to be reconciled to us.
Summary for Rom 12:20-21: 12:20-21 ap A simple act of Christian kindness can often bring a hostile person to repentance before God and restore fellowship between people.
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