Romans 12 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Romans 12:1 f. Practical Holiness. On his doctrine Paul grounds a moral homily.

Romans 12:1. Therefore covers the entire previous teaching. The compassions of God link this paragraph to the last: the tenderness of the Divine mercy prompts to consecration, Present your bodies recalls Romans 6:12 f.*; the demand for physical consecration arose from the prevalence of bodily sin (cf. Romans 6:6; Romans 6:19, etc.). The body is made a living sacrifice in the activities of daily duty. Rational service (worship) contrasted with the outward and mechanical (cf. Romans 1:9, Php_3:3) implies intelligent practical devotion, the religion which makes work worship.

Romans 12:2. The sacrifice is defined by its opposite: No longer comply with the fashions of this age (cf. Romans 1:18-32, etc.); but let there be a transformation in you, effected by the renovation of your mind.Fashion is guise or habit of life; form, the intrinsic mode of being (cf. Php_2:6 f.*).The mind to be renewed is the reason (as in Romans 1:28; Romans 7:25) mind in its essential powers. Such renovation qualifies one to discriminate what God wills (cf. Ephesians 5:17): His will is identified with the good and acceptable and perfect (mg.), with that which approves itself to a true conscience; cf. Php_4:8, etc.

On the above basis, first social (Romans 12:3-21), then civil (Romans 13:1-7) duties are enjoined, all being summed up under the law of love (Romans 13:8-10) and enforced by the urgency of the situation (Romans 13:11-14).

In the Christian Temper, modesty is the first desideratum.

Romans 12:3. I tell everyone that is among you not to be high-minded above a right mind, but to be of a mind to be sober-minded (Sp.). This is the mind as temper, disposition (so in Romans 8:5-7), not as intellect (Romans 12:2). A modest temper comes from appreciating other men's gifts. Measure of faith, as the sequel shows, means faith in the variety of its apportioned manifestations.

Romans 12:4 f. For Christians form in Christ a single body with many members, of widely diverse functions (pp. 646, 812); 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 * expounds this passage.

Romans 12:6 a. These functions are so many grace-gifts (charisms, the word of Romans 1:11; Romans 5:15, etc., cf. Charismata in ERE), differing according to the grace that was given us including the writer (Romans 12:3).

Romans 12:6 b - Romans 12:8. The chief charisms (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11) are prophecy, ministry, etc. an unsystematic enumeration, indicating no formal organisation. The proportion of faith in prophesying relates not to symmetry of doctrine, but to heart-faith as regulating utterance (cf. Romans 10:10) conviction controlling inspiration. Ministry, which in contrast with prophecy, etc., signifies service in deed (cf. Romans 13:4, 2 Corinthians 8:4; Acts 12:25), and teaching, exhortation, demand concentration on the business in hand. The distributor, the man with a surplus for the needy (cf. Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:17), must think only of the recipient's benefit (contrast Matthew 6:2). He who takes the lead (that ruleth) imports here leadership in beneficence (cf. Titus 3:8; Titus 3:14). Cheerfulness in the dispenser of mercy doubles the kindness (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:7).

Romans 12:9. The last-named offices spring from love, which is to be without simulation (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:6), as cherished by men loathing evil, etc.

Romans 12:10-12. Love's fine flower is love to (Christian) brethren, marked by tender (family) affection and the wish of each to see the other honoured rather than himself; cf. Php_2:3, Matthew 20:25-28.In your diligence (as in Romans 12:8) not faltering be rather boiling in spirit, since you serve the Lord (cf. Colossians 3:22-24). In your hope rejoicing, in your affliction enduring an echo of Romans 5:3-5; in prayer stedfastly persevering (cf. Colossians 4:2; Ephesians 6:18; Acts 11:4) the soul's resort in trouble.

Romans 12:13 resumes the topic of Romans 12:8: imparting to the needs of the saints (cf. Romans 15:25), making an occupation of hospitality (cf. Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9; 3 John 1:5) a grace much in requisition at Rome.

Romans 12:14 : almost in the words of Jesus (Luke 6:27 f.); the sympathy of Romans 12:15 requires a selflessness sometimes wanting in the consciously forgiving.

Romans 12:16. Harmonious in your relations toward one another (ICC) the Greek phrase of Romans 15:5, Php_2:2; Php_4:2. Harmony of mind precludes minding high things (cf. Romans 12:3; Romans 12:10; Romans 11:21); pride and ambition destroy fraternity, which consents with (mg.; same verb in Galatians 2:13; 2 Peter 3:17) the lowly, i.e. falls in with their ways. The above faults centre in self-conceit, censured once more (cf. Romans 12:3), in words drawn from Proverbs 3:7.

Romans 12:17-21. A group of rules bearing on Retaliation, provoked in Christians by frequent wrongs; cf. Romans 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:15, etc. Taking forethought for what is honourable comes from Proverbs 3:4 (LXX), advising prudent avoidance of offence, in accordance with the next injunction: If possible, so far as lies in you, keeping peace with all; give no cause of quarrel on your side.Yield place to the anger of God; if avenging must be, leave it to Him, for Scripture declares this His prerogative. Follow the advice of Proverbs 25:21 f. and heap coals of fire on the enemy, by kindling in him shame and self-reproach. In short, conquer evil by good (Romans 12:21).