Study of Romans 12 – Verse 12

    Have you noticed that verses 10 through 13 are one sentence and one thought? In studying, reading, and rereading this passage, I have come to realize that we are given the command, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,” and it is followed by nine instructions that, when put into action, will enable us to accomplish that command.      

    We will be kindly affectionate with brotherly love when we give preference to one another (v10), when we do not lag in diligence (v11); when we are fervent in spirit (v11), and when we serve the Lord (v11); when we rejoice in hope (v12), are patient in tribulation (v12), and continue steadfastly in prayer (v12); when we distribute to the needs of the poor (v13), and when we are given to hospitality (v13).

    We have already studied the first four instructions for the command – here’s a quick review:

• When we give preference to one another and consider our brethren before ourselves, we show that we value them – that they are important to us and vital to the work.
• When we do not lag in diligence, our brethren will know they can count on us to work alongside them (Nehemiah 4:6, 2 Corinthians 8:5), and through our stick-to-itiveness, we may be able to encourage less involved brethren to become more active in the work and more dedicated in their service to God and to their brethren (Hebrews 10:24-25).
• When we are fervent in spirit we show that our motivation comes from our unshakeable convictions that God is, and that His way is the best way (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:58); our inevitable growth will be evident to all (1 Timothy 4:12-16) as we cheerfully do our part in the work.
• When we serve the Lord, we prove our love for our brethren (read and think on 1 John 5:2-3). In serving the Lord, we show them that God is worthy of our every effort in obedience, that what He asks of us can be done, that it is always for our good, and that His blessings far outweigh any of our sacrifices. In serving the Lord we prepare ourselves to love our brethren with kindly affection!

    Now, let’s dig into the continuing instructions that will help us to obey the command to be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love:

“…rejoicing in hope. Patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayers…” (Romans 12:12 NKJV)

“…rejoicing in hope…”

    Rejoicing (Strong’s #G5463, ‘chairo’) means be glad, joyful with inner joy and delight. Consider Philippians 4:4.

    Hope (Strong’s #G1680, ‘elpis’) means expectation, trust, confidence, anticipation. Read and think on Psalm 16:8-9, 130: 5-6, and Romans 8:24-25

    So rejoicing in hope is letting your confident anticipation of God’s blessings in this life (and in the one to come, 1 John 3:1-3) fill you with a lasting joy and delight that buoys you in sorrows (Psalm 27:13-14, 34:), anchors you during the storms (Matthew 7:24-27), and overflows when you are with those who also share this hope (Philippians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:3-9).

“…patient in tribulation…”

    Patient (Strong’s #G5278 ‘hupomeno’) means enduring, persevering, remaining steadfast. Literally: remaining under the load, bearing up*. It means that we absolutely persevere through misfortunes and trials because we are holding fast to our faith and clinging to what is good.  

*Note: Take a moment to read Psalm 144:12. It is a stanza in David’s song to the LORD in which he asks to be rescued from enemies so that the sons of his people may grow as plants, and so their daughter’s may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style. It’s a prayer that the girls may grow up to be strong women who are able to bear up with elegance under life’s burdens. Read and think on 1 Peter 3:1-4 also.

    Tribulation (Strong’s #G2347 ‘thlipsis’) means affliction, distress, severe persecution, pressure, or oppression.

    How do you remain patient in tribulations? By practicing and developing patience in the various trials that test us throughout the day and allowing patience to have its perfect work so that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4). We can do this by keeping God and His benefits in our minds (Psalm 68:19, 103:1-2), knowing God is on His throne and is aware of our situation (Psalm 11:3-4, 7, Psalm 34, 1 Peter 2:2:23), knowing our brethren are counting on us to hold the line and not give opportunity to the devil (Psalm 4:4-5, 37:7-8, Ephesians 4:26-27, 6:10-13).

“…continuing steadfastly in prayer…”

    Continuing steadfastly (Strong’s #G4342 ‘proskartereo’) means to devote oneself, to persist in, to be strong and enduring towards, to give constant attention to (prayer). See 1 Thessalonians 5:17

    Prayer (Strong’s #G4335 ‘proseuche’) means a prayer (or vow) towards God. Communicating to God through supplication (earnest pleading for what is needed), intercession (asking help for others), thanksgiving, and adoration (praise).

    Communicating with God continually – never giving up on it – is a benefit to our brethren and shows our love for them in that it helps us develop as followers of Christ - so we can better help and serve them – AND it gives us opportunity to pray for each and every one of them; that God may help them reach their full potential.

    Rejoicing in hope will help us to be patient in tribulation (consider Philippians 4:4-8, 11-13) and keep us steadfast in prayer as we stay focused on what is truly important (Colossians 3:1-17). Continuing steadfastly in prayer will also fortify us to be patient in tribulation and it will remind us to rejoice in hope as we consider God, His goodness, and His power. Each part is necessary, each part supports and strengthens the others – and we cannot properly love our brethren without them!

    Are you rejoicing in hope? Are you patient in tribulations? Are you continuing steadfastly in prayer? If one of these is missing in your life it will be a struggle to accomplish the rest, and as a result you will be hard-pressed to love your brethren as you should. Think about these things this week and work at developing each one so that we can flourish in kindly affection and brotherly love for your brothers and sister in Christ!

You can do it! So can I!!  

   

Study of Romans 12 – Verse 11

    How are you doing, spiritually?

    Pause for a moment and consider: in comparison to how you were one year ago, five years ago, how are you doing?

Are you a more willing sacrifice, or are you growing irritated by ‘all you have to give up,’ ‘all you have to do’?

Have you continued to renew your mind through study and obedience, or have other interests got in the way?

Are you transformed (changed for the better - more like the Lord and less like the world), or has conformity kept you from the treasures found only in God and Jesus (Colossians 2:2-3)?

Are you using the abilities you have been blessed with to serve God and the church, or have you buried them to keep others from expecting too much from you?  

Has your love (for God, your brethren, your neighbour) improved, or grown cold (only words and no deeds)?

Are you better able to discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14), or has your abhorrence for what is evil faded to a mild dislike and toleration?

Are you growing stronger in clinging to good, or has your clasp loosened and your attention focused elsewhere?

Has your affection for your brethren deepened, or dissipated? Have you sought out their best interests, or are you only seeking after your own?

    These are questions that are good to ask ourselves, often.  Am I fervent in my spirit in serving the Lord, or am I lagging in diligence?

“…not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord…” (Romans 12:11 NKJV)

“…not lagging in diligence…”

    Lagging (Strong’s Greek #3636 ‘okneros’) means slothful, hesitating, sluggish toward spiritual duties. It is a reluctance and an unwillingness to act promptly or with energy.

    Diligence (Strong’s Greek #4710 ‘spoude’) means earnestness, zeal, and effort in fulfilling a task or duty, earnestness in accomplishing or striving after something. Consider 2 Corinthians 7:11-12 (“what diligence… what vehement desire”), 2 Corinthians 8:7 (“abound in all diligence”), Romans 12:8 (“he who leads, with diligence”), and 2 Peter 1:5-11 (“giving all diligence… be even more diligent”).

 “…fervent in spirit…”

    Fervent (Strong’s Greek #2204 ‘zeo’) means to boil, to be hot, have intense passion, eagerness in one’s faith and spiritual life. Apollos was described as being “fervent in spirit” in Acts 18:25; a man who spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord.

    In spirit (Strong’s Greek #4151 ‘pneuma’) means being motivated in or by our spirit; the vital principle in which the body is animated. In other words: be eager in your motivation, have a readiness to obey God (and to respond to another’s need).

    Where are we not to lag in diligence and where are we to be motivated from the very core of our being to do what is needed? In serving the Lord.

    How do we keep ourselves from lagging in diligence and how are we to remain motivated from the very core of our being to do what is needed?  By serving the Lord.

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him… And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for your serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:17, 23-24 NKJV)

    Nothing is as fulfilling as doing what God has given us to do – to be a help to others and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18). These benefit us mentally/emotionally, physically, and, of course, spiritually; it is the most satisfying way to use our time and abilities!

    Are you serving the Lord with a fervent spirit – motivated to do all that is asked of you? What He asks of us is not too much – it is for our good always (Deuteronomy 6:24-25).

    Are you diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15)?

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises…. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil...” (Hebrews 6:11-12, 19 NJKV)

    Look to God for motivation – you will find it! His promises are real – trust Him! His word is glorious, life-changing and life-bettering – look to it daily for instruction and for examples of those who lived and served with diligence and fervent spirits; let these motivate you toward doing your part so that you, too, can be an example to those around you of one who does not lag in diligence, but who is fervent in spirit, serving the Lord!  

You can do it! So can I!!

Study of Romans 12 – Verse 10

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.” (NKJV)

“Be kindly affectionate in one another with brotherly love…”

    Kindly affectionate (Strong’s Greek #5387 ‘philostorgos’) means devoted, loving dearly with a deep, instinctive love one might have for family members. This term is only found in Romans 12:10.

    Brotherly love (Strong’s Greek 5360 ‘philadelphia’) means love like that between siblings with kindness, compassion, and support. Verses where this term is found: 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Hebrews 13:1, 1 Peter 1:22, 2 Peter 1:7

    We are a family in Christ (1 John 3:1-2, Romans 12:5); in Him we are all sons of God through faith (Galatians 3:26). We are to speak to older men in the congregation as fathers, older women as mothers, younger men as brothers, and younger women as sisters, with all purity (1 Timothy 5:1-2).

    We are to be devoted – loving and loyal – to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to care for them as we would a blood relation: as we would immediately reach out our hand to prevent our child, spouse, or parent from falling, so we will willingly do all that you can to keep any one of our brethren from stumbling or falling (ex: Galatians 6:1). We will be determined to support and encourage them in their walk – and they, in obedience to this command, do the same for us.

“…in honour, giving preference to one another.”

    In honour (Strong’s Greek #5092 ‘time’) means that you value and respect the other, that you see them as outranking you and therefore worthy of your esteem.

    Giving preference (Strong’s Greek #4285 ‘progeomai’) means to consider others more important. The Greek word progeomai comes from two words: ‘pro’ that means before, and ‘hegeomai’ that means to consider so, together, they mean to consider others before yourself; to prioritize the needs and well-being of others (in your congregation).

    We need to see our brethren as family members who have great value and are therefore valuable to us. We need to treat them with respect, and be willing to set ourselves aside so that we can give them an attentive listening ear, a reliable helping hand, a sincere heart full of compassionate care, and a mind steadied and readied by God’s word so we are able to encourage and guide them toward not only staying the course but also flourishing in their faith and obedience. 

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.” (NKJV)

    This is all part of being a living sacrifice, a person transformed and renewed – each day choosing God’s way over your own way; over the ways of the world. When you do what God says, and when you happily use the abilities He has given you; your humble, joy-filled obedience will prove to others that His will is good and acceptable and perfect. You will put off your former conduct – abhor what is evil - and put on the new man created according to God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:21-24) – cling to what is good – and you will learn to love others with a sincere heart and hands ready to help (1 John 3:16-19). You will consider others and value others – this should also increase your dedication; wanting to serve God with others who are serving Him. Consider 2 Timothy 2:22 and Hebrews 10:24-25 – and you will choose to be a benefit to your brethren over thinking only of yourself. You will begin to look forward to church services, taking with you a mind that desires to be filled up with God’s word, and a heart that looks around and asks, “What can I do to help my brethren today?”     

Are you ready?

You can do it! So can I!!

Study of Romans 12 – Verse 9

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9 NKJV)

    Three small sentences. Three direct commands. Let’s understand them better so we can obey them better.

“Let love be without hypocrisy.”

    Love, in this verse, is ‘agape’ – the benevolent, selfless love that seeks the best interests of the other person. Agape love is not based on feelings; it is a choice, a determined commitment to the well-being of others. In the Greco-Roman culture, power and self-interest were valued, so this selfless, sacrificial love was something new and quite different.

    This sacrificial, benevolent love is to be without hypocrisy.

    The phrase without hypocrisy comes from a single word in the Greek language: ‘anupokritos’ (Strong’s Greek #505). The ‘a’ at the beginning of the word means ‘not’ and the remainder of the word (‘nupokritos’) means ‘actor or hypocrite,’ so without hypocrisy means ‘not an actor.’ An actor is someone who wears a mask and deceives; making us believe they are something other than what they truly are.

    Our love is to be without hypocrisy. We are not to say we love and then do the opposite – consider 1 John 3:18 – we are to show our love through sincere, caring deeds.

    Our love for God needs to be sincere. We say we love Him, then we show that we love Him: by holding fast to Him (Deuteronomy 13:4), by always going to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:17), by listening to His commands (in His word, James 1:21-27), and by doing what He says (John 14:15, 21, 1 John 5:2-3); we will also praise Him (Psalm 92:1-2, 1 Peter 2:9) glorify Him (Matthew 5:16, John 15:5-8).

    Our love for our brethren (and all others) needs to be sincere. When we say we will visit them, pray for them, call/message/text them, we need to do it. We help bear the burden of difficulties (Galatians 6:2) by being there for them. We each do our part (Ephesians 4:16), we prove ourselves to be reliable and trustworthy through our conduct. We see a need and we do what we can to fill it (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). Another way to show love for our brethren (and others) is to commit ourselves to God and do what He says, so that we can be a good example (1 Timothy 4:12-13), a wise counsel (James 3:13-17), and a true help to them (1 John 5:2-3).

    We need to back up our words with sincere, careful conduct. Actions always speak louder than words. Does your conduct back up your words, or are you playing the hypocrite? Are you acting a part for the sake of politeness or habit, then forget what you've said as soon as the moment passes? I know that I’ve been guilty of this very thing, maybe you have been too. Let’s determine to work on this so our love can be sincere.

“Abhor what is evil.”

    Abhor means to detest, to utterly hate, to loath, to be repulsed by. We need to utterly hate what is evil; we are to reject sin and any form of unrighteousness, wholly and completely.

    The evil that we are to detest is anything bad, wicked, or malicious. This includes both actions and intentions that are morally wrong or harmful, anything that goes against God’s commands.

    Again, in the Greco-Roman culture, anyone who created chaos or disorder in society was considered ‘evil,’ but to Christians it was anyone/anything that was in opposition to God’s will and His righteousness.

    We need to be careful that we do not call evil good and good evil (see Isaiah 5:20-21). We need to study God’s word and do what it says so that we can learn to accurately discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14).

    Are you willing to utterly hate evil?

“Cling to what is good.”

    Cling means to join, to cleave, to unite, to adhere. It comes from a word that means to glue together.

    When Romans 12:9 states that we are to cling to what is good, God, through the apostle Paul, is commanding us to give ourselves entirely to good, to labour for it, to be joined and fastened firmly together with good.

    Consider the relationship of a husband and wife (Matthew 19:4-6) – they are to be joined together, they cling to one another, they labour for one another and selflessly love one another for their lifetime because they are united before God in marriage. We understand what kind of bond that is in God’s eyes, so when He tells us that we are to cling to what is good, we are not to let go of good (or of doing good); we are to join ourselves to the commitment of doing what is good for the rest of our lives.

    Three small sentences. Three direct commands. How can our love be without hypocrisy? God, in His wisdom, gave us the answer: by abhorring what is evil and clinging to what is good! The more we cling to good the more we will come to abhor evil; the more we cling to good and abhor evil the more sincere our hearts will become! We will grow to love – in deed and in truth – from a sincere heart!  

    Be sincere in your love for God – let your love for Him be without hypocrisy by abhorring what is evil and clinging to what is good! Be sincere in your love for your brethren and all others by abhorring what is evil and clinging to what is good.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

You can do it! So can I!!