Objectives

Opening

How might we break down the book of Romans?

Christ paid for sin, chapters 1-4.
The Spirit guides behavior, chapters 5-8.
God is just in his dealings with his people, chapters 9-11.
A proper response to the Gospel, chapters 12-16

So Romans 12 is a response to the Gospel, not prerequisite for the Gospel. As we study Romans 12 we need to make sure that we recognize that this is not legalism but rather a call for a proper response to the good news of Jesus.

Main Body

Romans 12:1-2

Verse 1

Here we see an overall theme for Romans 12-16.
The verses do not begin with an imperative but it still has imperatival force.
The word therefore, (ουν) refers the reader back to the entire book which has come before.
The use of sacrificial language is purposeful and would have been familiar to his readers as a reminder of the OT sacrificial system.
In verse 1 the ESV writes "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" In the greek the terms living, holy, and acceptable are all placed together and carry the same weight. That is, the sacrifice is living, the sacrifice is holy, the sacrifice is acceptable. There is a standard that the Christian is called to live to and that standard is acceptable to God.
The idea of reasonable service is the idea of logical or the rational conclusion of what God has done for us. That is this is something that logically follows from what God has done for us.

Verse 2

The difference between conformed and transformed is probably more stylistic than theological. Some have made a big deal of outward verse inward transformation but Cranfield argues that the difference is probably more stylistic.
The ESV says that "discern the will of God". The Greek word δοκιμάζειν carries the idea of examination but the goal of this examination is to put something to the test. In other words when we are transformed we demonstrate God's will.

Romans 12:3-6

Verse 3

The infinitive (not to think) is an infinitive with imperatival force.
The notion of God apportioning a measure of faith is significant.
- Throughout the book of Romans Faith has been the response that we should have to God. Sow we each should consider ourselves through the lens of faith.
- We should consider who we are through the revelation of the righteousness of God by which we are saved. None of us has earned a single part of this.

Verse 4

This verse explains the application of verse 3.

Verse 5

We are not just members in but members of one another. There is both a unity and interconnectedness that is important here.

Verse 6

We see a whole bunch of participles (ing words). The significance of the participle here is that they continue the discourse from before and piggy back on the mood of the previous phrases.
There are several lists of Spiritual Gifts found in the Bible (Eph. 4, 1 Cor 12. 1 Pet. 4) and none of them are identical. Therefore, it is possible that we do not have an exhaustive list of all the Spirit does in a believer.
The term for prophecy often causes confusion here. Certainly there are cases in the NT where prophecy represent future prediction but characteristically prophecy seems to be more of a specific challenge or exhortation to people to live for God.

Aside on Gifts

The point here seems to be that if you have a particular gift then you need to use it. The body has multiple members and we are to fully and completely exercise the gifts we have been gives toward one another.

Romans 12:9-15

Verse 9

There are imperatival participles. i.e. you should...

Verse 10

This is an image of family affection and an image of deference to others.

Verse 11

Is the Spirit the Holy Spirit (HS) or the Human Spirit?
- In Romans, the Spirit is pretty consistently the HS. To the idea is that the HS naturally energizes us.

Verse 12

These are just some commands worth doing

Verse 13

We again get to more on one another

Verse 14

In this context, to bless others means that we seek God's goodness on others.

Verse 15

Empathy matters

Romans 12:16-21

Verse 16

See Philippians 2 where we see that our relationship to Christ allows this.

Verse 17

This is not the social gospel but rather a command to be concerned about the gospel.

Verse 18

This should be broadly applied and not just confined to the Church. However, this is also done in light of the Gospel. Sin should still be called sin.

Verse 19

We need to allow God to work. (Citation Deut. 32:35)

Verse 20

Burning coals are not a punishment but rather a picture of the individuals who shamefully comes and asks the person he wrongs for help.

Verse 21

This is a summary verse for the whole chapter.

Closing

Remember these are not prerequisites for salvation but results of salvation. Are we living a life that demonstrates the results of salvation?

Romans 12

Contents