9 Let love be without hypocrisy—by abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good, 10 being devoted to one another in brotherly love, giving preference to one another in honor, 11 not lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in affliction, being devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep, 16 by being of the same mind toward one another, not being haughty in mind, but associating with the humble. Do not be wise in your own mind. 17 Never paying back evil for evil to anyone, respecting what is good in the sight of all men, 18 if possible, so far as it depends on you, being at peace with all men, 19 never taking your own revenge, beloved—instead leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12: 9-21 LSB
Romans 12: 9-21
V. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy - Some will say they don't condemn sin because, you know, they're more "loving", but this is not the love God describes. This is love of self, elevating your desire to have people like you over their need to hear the truth of God. We should abhor evil, yet it continues that we should also cling to what is good. Many people go on and on about the evil in the world, but do they give place and time to those things that are good, that will grow them, that will help them expose and walk away from their own sin?
7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think on these things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.… Philippians 4: 7-9
Vs. 10-13 Giving preference to one another in honor - Putting others before yourself is the simple definition, but none of these things are to be a church face vs. your rest of the week face, as we were just instructed to love without hypocrisy. Didn't Christ set aside His divine, kingly prerogative, and condescend to our low estate. How is it then that people who call themselves Christians still worry so much about being first? I would rather have the infinite honor and pleasure of God than the right of way in traffic. I would rather avoid the accident then press my "right" in traffic. We live in a culture that everyone competes to be the most offended, but no one is ever offended by their own offense towards God. He goes on to not lagging behind, or in other words, being lazy. Being devoted to prayer is a wonderful part of this, and I have had friends ask me what they could do for me, and this is the beauty of believers, they understand when I say, "pray for me, just pray." Certainly if I am starving and you have food then share, but there are so many things that are outside of your own power, and so I would beg and plead, please pray for me because there is nothing outside of God's scope. In prayer it is often that I find the desire to do something for someone else that helps a situation I didn't even know about. Reading this section reminds me of the Beatitudes of Matthew 5.
To honor someone is to show genuine appreciation and admiration for the other individual. Believers who are being transformed by the renewing of their mind should be becoming more and more sensitive to showing respect, to acknowledging the accomplishments of others, to demonstrating genuine love by not being jealous or envious. These are the marks of a sincere faith which is maturing. Such a one in fact is to take the lead in the carrying out of these actions. If we have truly presented ourselves as a living sacrifices, we should be growing in these graces (and they can only be carried out by His empowering grace). - PA
V. 14 Bless those who persecute you - I have to go back here often. We are told to be justice and desire justice, but we are also told to show mercy. Christians should be slow to take offense, and quick to desire reconciliation, but this is why it is so necessary to not be lazy in doing good, to be diligent in prayer and reading God's word, otherwise it is easy to only want pain for your enemy and to lose your temper rather quickly. It is not a formula though, and it hasn't changed the situation often, but sometimes I have come to peaceful, even friendly terms with an enemy, and in all cases though, where reconciliation can't be had, it leaves room for God's wrath.
…29If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him— 30I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse— 31if the men of my house have not said, ‘Who is there who has not had his fill?’—… Job 31: 29-31
…43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.… Matthew 5: 43-45
V. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep - Be happy for each other, when someone does well be their biggest fan. When someone is hurting then comfort them. Job's friends were at their best when they sat there in silence. We should always pray before we run our mouths in a situation where someone is hurting.
57When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. 59On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.… Luke 1: 57-59
…2For if I grieve you, who is left to cheer me but those whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did so that on my arrival I would not be saddened by those who ought to make me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would share my joy. 4For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.… 2 Corinthians 2: 2-4
Ray Stedman - True love adjusts to other people's moods: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." When somebody in your office is feeling low and gloomy, don't come in and sit down and whistle away. When they obviously don't respond, don't say, "What's the matter with you? How come you're so down all the time? Why don't you be cheerful like me?" There is nothing worse than a cheerful person when something has gone wrong for you. No, Paul says, adjust yourself. Mourn with those who mourn, and rejoice with those who rejoice. I think he puts rejoicing first because that is so hard to do sometimes -- especially if it awakens our envy or self-pity. If there is something someone else has achieved that we think we ought to have, it is hard to go up to that person and say, "I'm so glad for you." But that is what love does, and it is possible to do it -- for those who walk in the Spirit. (Romans 12 - Ray C. Stedman) - PA
V. 16 But associating with the humble - We shouldn't be arrogant, but we should also surround ourselves with those who aren't as they will teach us the most about true Godliness. This also extends to hanging out with strangers, being hospitable to those of humble means, those that cannot repay your hospitality. There is no caste system in Christ, you don't have more because you are a better Christian than the believer living off of what the jungle provides, hiding from the enemies of God who would punish them for their faith. We typically surround ourselves with those who feed our ego, those who can do for us, either physically or in our station, but Christ went to the lost, sought to save sinners, and honestly there was no one above His station, no one His equal, and hardly any who even began to understand this.
…25But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave—… Matthew 20: 25-27
V. 17 Never paying back evil for evil - We should not be consumed with revenge, and consumed you will be. It eats the soul. Pray for God's justice and your ability to let it go.
…21An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end. 22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you. 23Unequal weights are detestable to the LORD, and dishonest scales are no good.… Proverbs 20: 21-23
John Calvin rightly said that ''Revenge is a passion unbecoming the children of God."
V. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you - It is not always possible, no one should stay in an abusive relationship, but where it is just quarreling that can easily be stopped, lowering your voice, letting go of ego, then do so to be at peace. A child or spouse that is being abused should leave and go for help because these things won't end well and the other person is not seeking repentance, but power.
Spurgeon - Some people will quarrel, and it is barely possible to keep upon good terms with them. In their case we must do our best, and if after all, we cannot live peaceably with them, it will be fortunate for us if we can move off and live without them. - PA
13Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. 14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.… Hebrews 12: 13-15
V. 19 Vengeance is Mine, I will repay says the Lord - God will judge, and so we need to take care to examine ourselves, for it wasn't God's justice that I sought for my own case. I sought mercy.
Vs. 20-21 If your enemy hungers feed him - This has at times been used by God to lead His enemies to godly sorrow over their sin and eventually repentance.
…44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?… Matthew 5: 44-46
…9And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11Consider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.… 2 Corinthians 7: 9-11
Heap burning coals on his head: Refers to an ancient Egyptian custom in which a person who wanted to show public contrition carried a pan of burning coals on his head. The coals represented the burning pain of his shame and guilt. When believers lovingly help their enemies, it should bring shame to such people for their hate and animosity. J Mac from the J Mac Study Bible note Rom. 12:20
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