Romans 12
Contents
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.
Closing
- What can we learn from the church of Corinth?
