Paul uses the word (parakalo) which translates beseech, implore, entreat, beg, ask, or desire. This is a strong word, and used in this context it shows the writer's strong feeling toward his brethren. As children of God, Paul reminds them (and us) that we are surrounded on all sides by the mercies of God. What are God's mercies? There are many - faith, love, grace, peace, power, kindness, forgiveness, propitiation, reconciliation, justification, conformation, and glorification to mention a few. When we recognize Who God is and who were are, then we are challenged to total devotion to our God and Creator.
In Old Testament times God wanted dead animal sacrifices; God was pleased with the burning entrails of a goat or a heifer. The smell was pleasing to the nostrils of God (Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29:18). In New Testament times, however, God does not want animal sacrifices; He desires of us our all - our body with its physical strength and skills, our intelligence and personality quotients. God wants a living sacrifice, this is the only way to please a righteous God. He wants a holy, acceptable (well-pleasing) sacrifice. This sacrifice is reasonable; that is, rational, reasonable, and logical. The offering of ourselves to God is seen as the only sensible, logical, and appropriate response to Him in view of His self-giving mercy.
Verse 1 gives the positive submission to God, while verse 2 reinforces the negative counterpart. In verse 2 the word conformed means to be fashioned; to form oneself like something else; a prescribed pattern (scheme), or to shape one's policy in conformity with another. The bodily sacrifice, furthermore, is to be transformed or transfigured (as was Jesus at His transfiguration). "Before the eyes of His most intimate disciples, the human appearance of Jesus was for a moment changed into that of a heavenly being in the transfigured world" (Kittel, Volume IV, p. 758). This word is used only four times in the New Testament. Twice it was used with reference to the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2). Jesus was enveloped or overshadowed with a shekinah cloud from heaven. What happened to Jesus can and should happen in a spiritual way to the saints of God. The word transfigured or transformed means to be changed into another form (metamorpheo). Just as a cocoon is changed into a beautiful butterfly, and just like charcoal or carbon is changed into a diamond, so Jesus was changed so that His deity shown through. Like a wick turned down low; now it suddenly shines in all of its brilliance, so God wants to change all of His saints.
Just as Jesus' countenance was completely changed (His face did shine; His raiment was as white as the light), so is the Christian to have a change of mind. This is to be done by the renewing of your mind. Only then can the Christian prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Paul demands, "Stop yielding to the pressure to conform in this age which the world constantly imposes." How can the Christian experience this transfiguration or transformation? Paul uses the word in II Corinthians 3:18, "But we all, with unveiled (open) face beholding as in a mirror (glass) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." This change can take place only as the Christian yields to the Holy Spirit.
Two examples come to mind - (1) God's word came to Israel through Moses, (Leviticus 18:3), "After the doings of the land of Egypt...shall ye not do; after the doings of the land of Canaan...neither shall ye walk in their ordinances," and (2) Jesus speaking in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:8), says of the false devotion of the Pharisees, "Be not ye...like unto them..." Christians are not to be like a chameleon which takes its color from its surroundings. J. B. Phillips paraphrases this phrase, "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remake you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed."
"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." (verse 3) If God's children are going to be like Jesus, one of the ways is to dethrone self and enthrone Jesus. Paul warns the Christian not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. The word translated "think highly" means to assume a lofty attitude. But the contrast is to think soberly or to think sanely as did the converted demoniac (Mark 5:15). By the power of Jesus he was restored to his sanity after demon possession. It is a natural thing for unregenerates to be guilty of an overestimation of themselves. Certainly God has given talents and wisdom to man, to some more than others. To know that God has given varying amounts of faith to different Christians should keep us humble. Each individual is responsible to God for using that talent and wisdom as God desires of him. Since Paul repeats the word think he seems to emphasize it. In thinking about ourselves we must avoid both too high an estimate of ourselves and too low an estimate. Instead we need to develop a sober judgment. First, with reference to our faith, and secondly with reference to our gifts. The measure of faith does not refer to saving faith, all Christians have that. It refers to the correct measure of the spiritual gift and its operating features that God sovereignly bestows on every believer. Every believer receives exact gifts and resources best suited to fulfill his role in the body of Christ.
"For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (verses 4, 5) The apostle develops this analogy of the body and its members more thoroughly in I Corinthians 12:12 - 26, but here he simply refers to the fact that each church is made up of several members, like the human body, and God has set each in the church as it pleased Him. Each member has its own function but all members are related to one another and dependent upon one another. Paul is concerned in this passage that members not compete against one another but rather work together for the advancement of God's cause here on the earth. The interrelatedness of Christians one to another is important. A baseball team consists of nine men on the field with several reserves on the bench. If everyone decided he wanted to be the pitcher, there will be no unity or effectiveness. True effectiveness comes when each member of the team is willing to play his particular position the best he knows how. Probably a better word for praxin office would be function. It is so translated in other versions. The basic meaning is a doing of something, a deed, or work.
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with liberality (simplicity); he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness." (verses 6 - 8) MacArthur says, "Although they are not mentioned in the text, proud attitudes toward spiritual gifts can be placed into five categories - (1) using a prominent gift boastfully, (2) depreciating ourselves and our gift in false humility, (3) claiming gifts, especially the more impressive ones, which we do not possess, (4) failing to use an inconspicuous gift out of jealousy, resentment or shame, and (5) failing to use one's gifts at all, for whatever reason - whether out of neglect, bitterness, jealousy, shame, or simply indifference" (pp. 159, 160).
The gifts (charismata) or graces are a rich study in themselves. The word is used over and over again in Romans, I and II Corinthians, I and II Timothy, and I Peter. Its kindred word grace (charitos) is found throughout the entire New Testament. The first gift or grace mentioned in this passage is prophecy or prophesying usually meaning an utterance by divine inspiration forth telling and foretelling the laws, principles, and coming events of the Kingdom of God. Paul states that the ones possessing this gift should exercise it in the proportion of faith given to him by God. This probably means that the prophet should speak only so long as he is sure of his inspiration; thus, adding no words of his own. Apparently this gift was possessed by many in the Old Testament and some in New Testament days (such as the apostles and prophets in the early church - Ephesians 4: 11); however, when the Bible was completed this gift of foretelling events was no longer needed. From the standpoint of forth telling the message, even today preaching ministers are recognized as prophets. It takes the form of instruction, admonishing, warning, rebuking, correcting, challenging, comforting, and encouraging. These ministers do not receive their inspiration in the same manner as did the Old Testament and New Testament prophets; they can foretell events only as sacred Scripture reveals them. Paul's charge to Timothy applies to all proclaimers of God's Word, including prophets, "Preach the Word; be diligent (instant) in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine" (II Timothy 4:2).
Ministry is the next grace from Paul's catalog of gifts. This is the word for serving or administration. It appears first in Luke 10:40 where Martha was cumbered about much serving; it is a general term which was also used of the service of the deacon (Acts 6:1ff). It is a simple, straightforward gift that is broad in its application. The next gift is teaching or instructing by didactic discourse. The teacher is divinely gifted with special ability to interpret and present God's truth understandably. It could apply to a teacher in seminary, Christian college, Sunday school, or any other place, elementary or advanced, where God's truth is taught. A regular-systematic teaching of the Word of God is the primary function of the pastor-teacher.
The next gift is that of exhortation which comes from two words (para) and (kaleo) which mean to call someone to one's side such as a comforter, advocate or helper. Exhortation involves advising, pleading, encouraging, warning, strengthening, and comforting. This is the same word that sometimes refers to the Holy Spirit; He is the Comforter. Giving is the next gift; he who gives is to do it with simplicity, liberality, openheartedness, or singleness of mind; the person may give sacrificially of himself. Ruling or leading is a gift that means someone set over another, a superintendent, or administrator. The ruler or leader is to do so with diligence, earnestness, or haste. Showing mercy is the last gift mentioned by the apostle here; that is, having compassion. The person having the gift of showing mercy should do so with cheerfulness. Our Savior went into the temple and was asked to read; He read from Isaiah 61: 1, 2 and indicated that He was the fulfillment of this passage, He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18, 19). He seemed to have all these gifts mentioned by Paul in this passage. If we follow His example we will use our gifts in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.
Before the New Testament was completed gifts of specialized knowledge and prophecy and other miraculous abilities to speak in a foreign language were given to the apostles for the purpose of authenticating God's word and work. When the New Testament canon was completed many of these gifts were phased out (I Corinthians 13:8 - 10). Now there is no need for new revelations. Those who claim inspired "prophecies" are seeking to add to that which is already perfect. There have been no prophets or purveyors of supernatural knowledge, who received their inspiration from outside the New Testament since the first century. Two errors may exist in connection with gifts - (1) many underutilize their gifts and thus fail to reach their potential for God's service, and (2) others have a misplaced zeal and seem unwilling to accept the position in the body of Christ allotted to them (Yeager, Volume XII, pp. 136, 137). All gifts of a heavenly origin should never be viewed as menial; all are important, and God has given them to individuals as it has pleased Him.
"Let love be without hypocrisy (dissimulation). Abhor that which is evil; cling (cleave) to that which is good." (verse 9) A productive Christian life, as well as the only truly satisfying life, is the self-disciplined life. Only the disciplined mind can think clearly and be used of the Lord to properly understand and present His truth to the world. Only the disciplined Christian life can be a persuasive and effective example, both within the church and before the world. What is self-discipline? Simply put, it is the willingness to subordinate personal desires and objectives to those that are selfless and divine, to subordinate that which is attractive and easy to that which is right and necessary. For the Christian, self-discipline is obedience to the Word of God, and the willingness to subordinate everything in our lives - physical, emotional, social, intellectual, moral, and spiritual to God's will and control, and for God's glory (MacArthur, pp. 179 - 181). In this passage Paul gives a comprehensive, but not exhaustive, list of the basic characteristics of the supernatural Christian life. He begins with personal duties. Christian love is to be without hypocrisy, without pretense, or honest. Paul is admonishing the Romans (and us), "Don't be two-faced." Of course the hypocrite was the "play actor" who put on a different face than his own; the church should not turn into a stage. Probably love is more important to a Christian than any spiritual gift he may have. In I Corinthians 13:13, Paul wrote, "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love." The first fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22 is love. Hypocrisy is the antithesis of and completely incompatible with agape (Divine) love. The two cannot co-exist.
The next personal duty is "abhor (hate) that which is evil." To hate something is to be repelled by it; this is how God wants His children to react toward evil of any kind. Evil is the antithesis of holiness and godliness. It means bad, evil, wicked, lewd, and malicious. The wise man had much to say about evil, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse (froward) mouth." (Proverbs 8:13) The child of God abhors evil because God abhors evil. The words abhor and cling are both very strong almost vehement.
The next personal duty is "cling (cleave) to that which is good." To put the last two admonitions of verse 9 together we have, "Turn in disgust and revulsion away from evil and glue yourself to the good." Hated of evil expresses an aversion, an abhorrence, even a 'loathing,' while clinging to the good expresses a sticking or bonding as if with glue.
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing diligently (instant) in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality." (verses 10 - 13) In these verses Paul gives duties to the family of God. Yeager translated this tenth verse, "Cultivate fondness for each other by means of brotherly kindness. Let each outdo the other in showing honor." The word philadelphia is repeated in this verse and literally reads, "brotherly (and sisterly) love should be shown in kind affection (love) to each other." Christians should show the kind of affection shown between parents and children, husbands and wives, and close friends. Then the apostle writes, "run ahead of each other; outdo another in preferring one another." "It is an interesting concept - 'run ahead of each other in your zeal to honor.' It is difficult to imagine the unity of a church congregation where each member sought to excel all others in giving (not receiving) honor" (Yeager, Volume XII, p. 144). What great problems could be solved in our churches if everyone adhered to this phrase!!
"...Not slothful in business..." means not lazy in zeal and intensity. There is no room for slothful or sluggishness in any task for the Lord and our fellowmen. Slothfulness in Christian living not only prevents good from being done, but it allows evil to prosper. Ephesians 5:15 reads, "redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Procrastination is truly the thief of time. Another duty to our fellowmen is "fervent in spirit..." or literally "be aglow" or "burn with zeal" in spirit. That principle is reflected in the life of Henry Martyn, the tireless missionary to India, whose heart's desire was to 'burn out for God'." The lack of enthusiasm in the Lord's work is certainly one of the oldest blights on earth. How many failures have we endured because of the lack of commitment and indifference? "Serving the Lord" translated a present participle - douleuontes - literally "always serving the Lord," like a bondslave, always wanting to do the master's will.
"Rejoicing in hope..." means putting on a happy face as we serve the Lord; it is not drudgery but a happy task. Paul had already written to the Romans (5:2), "...rejoice in hope of the glory of God." The Christian must always keep in mind that his labor will be rewarded. Faithful Christians can expect to hear their Lord say (Matthew 25:21), "Well done, thou good and faithful servant..." Paul wrote to Timothy (II Timothy 4:8), "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." Herein lies the Christian's hope.
"Patient in tribulation..." When the pressures of life press down upon the Christian, he is to bear up under the load. Tribulation can also mean pressure, oppression, affliction, distress, and to be in straits. Patience has to do with endurance, and suffering. We must remain under the load of distress.
"Continuing diligently (instant) in prayer..." The Christian is to be steadfast in his prayer life; always persevering and unwavering in prayer. Paul admonished the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).
"Distributing to the necessity of saints..." means simply when a need is seen, then meet that need. We are to share with one another, divide up what one has with others; to be a fellow-partaker. Share with others whatever you have that they need. In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus made it clear that we have a responsibility, to the best of our ability, to help anyone in need whom we may encounter. We still have a greater responsibility to serve and help our fellow Christians.
"Given to hospitality" means pursuing the love of strangers. Anyone whose path crosses ours, we are to meet their needs if we can. Look for an opportunity to give aid when needed. The writer of Hebrews (13:2) wrote, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unaware." One of the outstanding characteristics of the Oriental, especially in Old Testament times, was their willingness to take in strangers. Of course, there were few inns and traveling was a dangerous endeavor. Christian families commonly opened up their homes to believers who passed through their towns. We should catch the spirit of our Lord; in Luke 14:11 - 14 He taught, "When thou givest (makest) a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors, lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou givest (makest) a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."
"Bless them who persecute you; bless, and curse not." (verse 14) In the next few verses Paul reminds the Romans (and us) of duty to all people. Now the apostle enjoins blessing upon all, and also demands that Christians cease retaliating. Paul reminds again of the words of our Lord (Luke 6:27, 28) which read, "Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you." One might catch the spirit of Stephen as he lay dying under the mass of stones that were crushing the life out of him (Acts 7:60), "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Even in our relationship with sinners, Paul would say, "Do not go on cursing." Herein is instruction to the Christian in regard to his relationship with the unsaved.
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (verse 15) One of the graces that is lacking in so many hearts of the Christians is the lack of empathy. When someone rejoices we wonder why should they be so happy; when someone weeps, many respond with, "That's good enough for you." The true Christian will rejoice whenever someone else rejoices, even though it may be at our expense. When others accomplish great things and life is barren and dull for us, it is difficult to rejoice with others. We are to rejoice in the blessings, honor, and welfare of others - especially fellow believers - no matter what may be our personal circumstances. The wise man wrote (Proverbs 17:5), "...he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished." When hardships, disappointments, and sorrows come upon others, it is our duty to sympathetic, and empathetic, entering into the suffering of others. If we want to be like our Savior and like God, we need to have a sympathetic heart. Our Savior was sympathetic with Mary and Martha when their brother was overtaken in death. Yeager says, "how often sullen jealousy is seen on the face and in the speech of one church member because another has been made glad. How often have church members enjoyed a degree of satisfaction from the misfortunes of others" (Volume XII, p. 149).
"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; recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men." (verses 16, 17) To be of the same mind must mean to have the mind of Jesus. Philippians 2:5ff, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and, being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." In this verse (16) probably the apostle means that we are to be impartial. Probably Paul was referring to a passage he would write later (15:5), when he wrote, "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus." The RSV reads, "Live in harmony with one another..." Paul further admonishes the Romans to avoid haughtiness and associate with the humble. He warns against being high minded not so much in the spiritual sense but in the self-seeking sense. Jesus associated with the lowly on the economic ladder as well as sinners. This verse might be translated, "Always regard one another in the same way. Stop thinking about prestige, but always associate with the lowly. Stop being conceited" (Yeager, Volume XII, p. 150).
In the next few verses Paul tells his readers about our duty toward personal enemies. The circle of basic characteristics ever widens again to include our responsibilities to personal enemies. How are we to treat them? Never return evil for evil. Although the Old Testament law enjoined an "eye for an eye," and "a tooth for a tooth," Christianity says we are to never repay evil for evil. This is the trait of a carnal Christian, to say the least. The word translated recompense means "to give back" or "to deliver again," or "to pay back." Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:15, "See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
"Provide things honest in the sight of all men" simply means "to think ahead," "to anticipate," or "plan for future needs." The idea is to plan always (aim at) to be noble before all men. Man needs to develop the self-discipline necessary to prepare himself beforehand for responding to evil with what is good instead of with what is bad. Our forgiving, gracious behavior toward our enemies should commend us to them and to others who witness that behavior. Yeager translated this phrase, "Always make prior arrangements to behave nobly before all men."
"If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." (verse 18) Furthermore, we are to live in peace, if possible, with all men. Some men may be difficult to live with, but the Christian is to live a peaceable life with others if it is possible. Should the Christian ever resort to violence? We should make every provision on our part for peaceable relations with others. We should leave no stone unturned to maintain peace.
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but, rather, give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (verse 19) The Christian is to never avenge himself with others. Avenge means to "pay back," or "to give back." This word is used in Luke's account of the lesson to guests and hosts (14:7ff) quoted earlier in this lesson. If a wrong has been done to us, no matter how serious and harmful it may have been, we are never qualified for or have a right to render punishment for the offense ourselves. We are to leave the revenging to our heavenly Father; He alone can judge correctly. Paul now quotes from II Samuel 22:48 in David's song of deliverance, he said, "It is God who avengeth me, and who bringeth down the people under me." At the Great White Throne all judgment will be meted out according to the Judge Who can do no wrong. In His divine time, the wrath of God will come, and just retribution awaits the unforgiven.
"Paul's advice, if followed, would eliminate all church congregational strife and inter-societal warfare. The vigilantes and other heresy hunters, who feel sufficiently erudite to combine within their sphere of jurisdiction legislative, judicial and executive functions should take heed. Speaking from the bench they say, 'You did it.' A quick change to the legislative chamber and they say, 'It was wrong.' Another quick change of hat and they speak with the police power of the executive, 'I must punish you.' This is the kind of dictatorship that every Christian practices when he 'gets even,'" so writes Yeager (Volume XII, pp. 154, 154).
"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." (verse 20) The Christian is to treat his enemies like Jesus admonished us to treat our enemies like we would want them to treat us. Only as this action is accomplished can there be any order out of chaos. To withhold vengeance is one thing, but to do more by returning good for evil is most difficult. Feeding and giving drink to an enemy is the epitome of the Christian spirit. Proverbs 25: 21, 22 says, "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty give hm water to drink; for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee." The last phrase is most interesting - what is meant by heaping coals of fire on the enemies' head? The Pulpit Commentary, Volume IX, p. 484) says, "St. Chrysostom and other Fathers consider that Divine vengeance is implied, as in Psalm 11:6, 'Upon the wicked he shall rain snares; fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be their portion;' and Psalm 140:10, 'Let burning coals fall upon them.' 'Coals of fire' are a metaphor for the penetrating pain of remorse and repentance. The unmerited kindness which he receives forces upon him the consciousness of his ill doing, which is accompanied by the sharp pain of regret."
"Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." (verse 21) If the Roman
Christians were living defeated lives, Paul is saying here "put a stop to it, and reverse the
situation." Herein there may be two meanings, first, we must not allow the evil done to us by
other people to overcome and overwhelm us. Second, and even more important, we must not
allow ourselves to be overcome by our own evil responses. In each case, it is the evil itself that
must be overcome, and that can be accomplished only with good.