1I 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.
The theme of the message of the book of Romans to this point has been the mercies of God: mercies that provided propitiation for the “ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (1:18), mercies that granted us as believers to “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (5:2) though we had fallen short of it, mercies that spiritually baptized us into Jesus Christ so that we may “walk in newness of life” (6:4), mercies that have given His own Spirit of Life to indwell us (8:2,9), and mercies that have granted believing Jews and believing Gentiles to partake together of the blessings of the covenant that He made with Abraham (11:17).
In view of and by means of these mercies, Paul now exhorts us who believe to make a decision. He touched on this decision in 6:13 when he said, “yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (the word “yield” in that verse and in 6:19 is the same word that is translated “present” in 12:1). Now, at the conclusion of his step-by-step declaration of the mercies of God, Paul says that a decision to present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice is the fitting response for every believer. The verb-form that Paul uses is not one that means, “continually present your bodies.” Rather, it implies that we as believers are to take this step as a life decision. It means that as a result of this decision, “who we are” in this world will not matter to us so much as “Whose we are.”
In 7:23, Paul spoke of a “law of sin” in the members of his body. In 7:24, he said, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Then, in 8:10, after stating clearly that the Spirit of God indwells every believer, he said, “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Paul said that the physical body of every believer is “dead because of sin.” He meant that our bodies are infected by indwelling sin, that we don’t yet have our new bodies, and that our present bodies will die.
So how can we present our bodies to God as something holy and acceptable to Him? In I Corinthians 6:15, Paul wrote, “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.” Clearly, Paul was talking about the physical bodies of individual believers. Then, just four verses later, he says, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” Thus, in the second quote, Paul is still referring to the individual bodies of the believers in the church in Corinth. The individual body of every believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit. God has given the Holy Spirit to each believer as a guarantee that we will receive a full inheritance, including a new body (Ephesians 1:14). The presence of His Spirit in us makes our body something holy, something that can be presented to God and that He will be pleased by. Paul says that the presenting to God of our bodies as a living sacrifice is our “reasonable” act of worshipful service to Him. Thus, until a believer takes this step, every other act of worshipful service will be incomplete.
2And 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.
The word translated “world” in this verse is the word “age.” The period of time in which we live is characterized by a focus on what is temporal. The god of this age is Satan, and he has blinded the minds of them which believe not... (II Corinthians 4:4). Our life profile is not to be like theirs. Instead, God wants us to be transformed. Satan works to blind minds. The battleground is the mind. As believers in Christ, we need an ongoing renewal of the way we think. Otherwise, our thinking will be skewed by what Satan says is good and acceptable and perfect. The word “prove” in this verse means to test or to examine and is related to the word “approve.” In order for us to correctly discern and choose the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, we need to increasingly digest His Word. The author of Hebrews described the difference between spiritual infancy and spiritual maturity : For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:13-14).
3For 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.
It is striking that we read the word “think” three times in this verse. Actually, it occurs four times because the phrase “to think soberly” literally says, “to think so as to think soundly.” This verse is the follow-up on Paul’s plea that we be transformed by the renewing of our minds. When we begin to correctly discern what is God’s good and acceptable and perfect will, that new mindset will also affect how we think about ourselves. It is right for us to recognize that none of us has unlimited faith. But God has given each of us all the faith we need to go forward to do His perfect will. In the coming verses, Paul is going to speak about spiritual gifts for use in the body of Christ. Part of not thinking too highly of ourselves is realizing that each of us is just one part of that body.
4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8or 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 verse 4, Paul makes a comparison with the physical human body. The word translated “office” is the word “action” or “function.” Then, in verse 5, Paul says that the many who believe in Christ are a spiritual body in Him, which makes us also belong to each other. In verses 6-8, Paul encourages the Roman believers to use their differing spiritual gifts effectively.
The first two gifts that Paul mentions – prophecy and service – are actions. The other gifts he lists are named by referring to the person who has that gift. An example of a New Testament prophet is found in Acts 11:28, where Agabus prophesied that there would be a great famine on the earth. Agabus also later prophesied that Paul would be arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 21:11). Acts 13:1 speaks of prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch. Paul also referred to prophets in his first letter to the church in Corinth (I Corinthians 12:28; 14:29,32,37). In Ephesians 2:20-21, Paul said that in the church both Gentile and Jewish believers together are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.... Thus, we understand that the gift of prophecy was a foundational gift in the church. This gift was probably given to provide direct revelation from God for the church until the Scriptures were completed.
Paul also speaks of the gifts of those who teach God’s Word, exhort and encourage other believers, give to supply the needs of others, have responsibility for leadership, and show mercy to brothers or sisters who have stumbled. In each case, every believer is to exercise his or her gift in dependence on God who gave it. And, clearly, none of these ministries is the sole responsibility of the one who has that gift. All of us should be ready to teach, exhort, give, lead, and show mercy as needed in the sphere of service that God has given us.
9Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
“Without dissimulation” means “without hypocrisy.” The next two verbs, “abhor” and “cleave” are participles: “abhoring that which is evil, cleaving to that which is good.” Thus, these verbs do not form a separate statement; they describe what it means to love without hypocrisy.
Real love hates the evil that can destroy the one we love. Real love stays committed to what is good. To go along with what is wrong in order not to displease someone is hypocrisy.
10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
The love among believers is to be like that in a good family. That kind of love implies concern and commitment. That kind of love also looks for opportunities to encourage one another by showing honor where honor is due. John wrote, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (I John 3:1). The world does not know us and does not show honor to God’s people for their faithfulness to Him. If we love and treat one another with honor in the family of believers, we are strengthened to be unmoved by the world’s rejection of us.
11not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
The word translated “business” in this verse means “diligence.” The same word is found in verse 8. Verse 11 talks about how we are to serve. As Paul said to those in the church at Colosse who were servants by occupation, “...whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24). The encouragement of other believers is very important, as Paul said in the previous verse, but ultimately each of us has to look beyond our earthly place of service and its discouragements, to Christ Himself. He will come and will reward us, and He is the One we serve. We are to serve Him with a fervent spirit.
12rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Whatever our circumstances, we have a constant hope which does not disappoint. In 5:2, Paul said that we “rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” In 5:3-4, Paul said that tribulation produces patient endurance, which proves that God is changing our lives and thus increases our hope. We are to be persevering in prayer. In 8:26-27, Paul said that we “know not what we should pray for as we ought,” but that the Holy Spirit “maketh intercession for [us] according to the will of God.” God wants us to pray, and, because of the intercession of His Spirit, He does hear our prayers.
13distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
The word “hospitality” is found in only one other place in the New Testament. In Hebrews 13:1-2, the author says, Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. The expression “entertain strangers” is the word “hospitality.” Both Paul and the author of Hebrews used this word in the context of caring for other believers. Even believers whom we’ve never met before really are not strangers because we are all one family in Christ. Also, because we are one family and members of one body, it is right and should be natural for us to help meet other needs of the saints, too.
14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you....” Yet, for example, in Psalm 109, the psalmist prays for severe judgment on the earthly life and posterity of the wicked who have treated him unjustly. The writer of this psalm says, “Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul” (Psalm 109:20). In Revelation 6:10-11, the first group of Tribulation martyrs cries out to God, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” Yet, God does not rebuke them for wanting Him to take revenge for them. Rather, He tells them when He will avenge their blood. Also, in the last verses of this chapter in Romans, Paul will speak of our heaping “coals of fire” on the head of our enemies in God’s future judgment of them.
It seems significant that in the Sermon on the Mount, in the next verse after Jesus said, “bless them that curse you,” he said, “that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). Jesus did not say that God would not judge those who curse us, hate us, and despitefully use us. He said only that God gives new days and needed rain to evil and unjust people like He gives to everyone else.
Thus, it seems that Jesus’ message is that God is giving the wicked time to repent. We are to love our enemies, bless them that curse us, do good to them that hate us, pray for them that despitefully use us – as Paul said in verse 14, we are to bless and not curse them that persecute us – because this is the last chance of those people to be saved. Before Christ came, the writer of Psalm 109 and other believers were not living in the last days. They were living in an Old Covenant period of temporal blessing on the people of God and corresponding judgment on the wicked. Indeed, even today, all of the posterity of Adam, apart from redemption, is under the condemnation of God. But, Jesus’ words tell us that something changed. The coming, earthly life, death, and resurrection of Christ marked the beginning of the last days. The next events for planet earth will be Christ’s receiving of the church followed by the judgments of the Day of the Lord. We are living in days of grace for planet earth. We are to bless and curse not because these days are the last chance for those who don’t know Christ.
15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16Be 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.
In verse 15, Paul said that we should rejoice with others who rejoice and weep with others who weep. To genuinely share in the joy or sorrow of another person requires that we understand what the issue means to them. That’s easier to do if we already know the person well, but it is still possible with people that we don’t know well if we take the time to learn about their situation.
In verse 16, the first three verbs are all participles, probably indicating that verse 16 is a continuation of verse 15. Part of rejoicing and weeping with other believers is seeing them all as people in one spiritual family. Paul said that we are to “be of the same mind one toward another.” In verse 16, the admonition to “condescend to men of low estate” may be translated, “be carried away by things that are of low estate.” That is, when we walk into a meeting place full of our spiritual brothers and sisters, our minds should not be drawn away by who seems the most impressive. Instead, we should be quick to perceive needs. When Jesus was on the road to Jerusalem, He listened to the voice of two blind men who said, “Have mercy on us,” rather than being preoccupied with the crowd that wanted to silence the blind men and make Him king (Matthew 20:29-34). If He the Lord, who was worthy to be king, did so, certainly we should not be taken up with ourselves. In the previous chapter also, Paul cautioned the Roman believers “lest ye should be wise in your own conceits” (11:25).
17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore 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. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Verses 17-21 refer to our relationships with those outside the body of Christ. The question is, “How do we respond when someone does us wrong?” The first four verbs in these verses are all participles (that is, “recompensing...providing...living peaceably...avenging not”), leading up to the main verb, which is Paul’s main answer to the question. Paul’s answer is, “give place to wrath.” In preparation for that answer, he says, “recompensing to no one evil for evil, providing good things before all men.” When a watching world sees how we respond when we’re done wrong, they should be able to recognize that we reacted justly and without malice. And provocation should never come from us; rather, we should seek to live peaceably with everyone.
In verse 19, Paul says, “not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath.” In other words, Paul says that we should let God do the avenging. In the latter part of that verse, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 and makes reference to the Septuagint Greek translation. God said that vengeance belongs to Him; He will repay the one(s) who wronged us; He will bring on them the just consequences of the wrong that they did. In 13:4, Paul will say that God also uses human government as an instrument of His avenging wrath. It is not wrong for a believer to seek justice in an earthly court so long as we leave the outcome with God.
In verse 20, Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21-22. Earlier in this letter to the Romans, he said that the kindness of God is intended to lead unbelievers to repentance (2:4). Surely God also shows His kindness through us. When we have compassion on those who wrongly stand against us, we are showing them that God is willing to forgive them. But, if they refuse to recognize their sin and look to Him for forgiveness, their judgment will be even more severe. Paul is telling the believers in Rome and us today that we should not try to get revenge when we are wronged. In the day when God judges, He will fully settle the account.
In verse 21, Paul completes the admonition that he began in verse 17, where he said, “Recompense to no man evil for evil.” Not to respond in kind doesn’t mean that we remain passive. We are not to be conquered by what is evil but rather to conquer what is evil with what is good. The chief example of the conquest of evil by good is that of the Lord Jesus’ dying for our sins. Satan’s castle in this world was the spiritual death which left all of Adam’s descendants defenseless against Satan’s rule in their lives. Jesus destroyed Satan’s castle when he made provision by His death for every descendant of Adam to be justified from their sin and to receive spiritual life. The prime channel by which we today may conquer evil with good is to share this Gospel with men and women whose lives are still under Satan’s control.
Note: All Scriptures are quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.