LIVE TO LOVE

ROMANS 12

12:1 Therefore: In light of the great plan of salvation outlined in chs. 1—11, particularly all the mercies (benefits) it brings to us as Christians, let us respond appropriately.

12:2 World is literally “age,” referring to a godless system. We are not to accept the pattern of an age whose god is the Devil (2 Cor. 4:4). On the contrary, we are to be transformed by a renewed mind committed to the ideals of the kingdom of God. Prove means to test and to prove by practice in everyday life that God’s will for us is good and acceptable and perfect.

12:3–8 Transformed kingdom living calls for lives marked by humility and service through giftedness to the body of Christ. In discussing the matter of giftedness, Paul reminds us that just as the physical body is made up of many members, each with a different function, the church is a body of many members, but all closely related and constituting a unity in Christ, with each one having individual functions and responsibilities. We are not to inflate our own position nor to begrudge others their office.

12:3 Paul refers to his own function in the body as an authoritative apostle through the grace given to him. The measure of faith is not saving faith but the faith to receive and to exercise the gifts God apportions to us. The term “measure of faith” is best understood as a synonym for “spiritual gift.”

12:4, 5 Our different gifts and abilities should make us love and depend more on one another, and therefore should make us more united as one body in Christ.

12:6–8 There are basically two interpretative approaches to this passage on gifts: 1) To see them as a category distinct from that of other NT passages, often referred to as the Father’s creational gifts. See note on Eph. 4:8, 11; or 2) to see them as a repeat or overlap of many of those mentioned in either 1 Cor. 12:12–29 or Eph. 4:11.

Ephesians 4:8 Amplified Bible (AMP)

8 Therefore it says,

“When He ascended on high,

He led captivity captive,

And He bestowed gifts on men.”

Ephesians 4:11 Amplified Bible (AMP)

11 And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself appointed some as apostles [special messengers, representatives], some as prophets [who speak a new message from God to the people], some as evangelists [who spread the good news of salvation], and some as pastors and teachers [to shepherd and guide and instruct].

12:6 Prophecy refers either to those whose creation gift from the Father enables them to view all of life with special ongoing prophetic insight, independent of public office or special use by the Spirit in giving public prophecy; or to the manifestation of public prophecy, speaking something that God has spontaneously brought to mind (1 Cor. 12:10). In proportion to our faith likely means that prophecy of any sort is to be exercised in accordance with the biblical maturity God has granted the speaker, recognizing that God is the originator of the gift.

12:7, 8 Ministry suggests either those whose special creation gift enables them to most effectively serve the body in physical ways; or the rendering of any type of service by anyone in the church (1 Cor. 12:5). Teaching refers either to those who are specially gifted to keep an eye on and instruct the revealed truth of God’s Word, regardless of public office; or to those in the public office of teacher (Eph. 4:11). He who exhorts describes either those whose creation gift enables them to best apply God’s truths through encouragement; or to those (such as pastors) who are called to publicly bring encouragement to the church.

12:9–21 Love is to be the guiding principle in Christian relationships not only with fellow believers (vv. 9–13), but with enemies as well (vv. 14–21). Paul mentions many specific Christian duties that are to characterize transformed living, but love is the dominant note in all the exhortations.

-Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy].

-Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.

-Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor.

-Never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord.

-Constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength].

-Contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.

12:13 Hospitality is the fruit of a transformed, Spirit-filled life. It is showing an interest in others and giving ourselves to loving and supporting them, even as God does us (see Phil. 2:4). Leaders are to be front-runners in the practice of hospitality (see 1 Tim. 3:2).

-Overcome evil with good, having love for God and love for others your motive.

12:18 Because some people may remain violently opposed to us, there are times when all efforts toward peace fail. However, the Christian is to make certain that he is not at fault when peace breaks down.

12:19 Instead of taking vengeance ourselves, we should give it over into God’s hands and thereby give place to wrath. God will exact vengeance at the final judgment or even in this life, sometimes through the instrumentality of civil government (13:4), When government officials use force to restrain and punish evil, they are not doing wrong. Rather, they are God’s minister (servant) and are doing good. Therefore, Christians may serve as police officers and soldiers in good conscience.

In the book of Romans the Holy Spirit gives power in preaching the gospel and in working miracles (15:19), dwells in all who belong to Christ (8:9–11), and gives us life (8:11). He also makes us progressively more holy in daily life, empowering us to obey God and overcome sin (2:29; 7:6; 8:2, 13; 15:13, 16), giving us a pattern of holiness to follow (8:4), guiding us in it (8:14), and purifying our consciences to bear true witness (9:1). The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts (5:5; 15:30), along with joy, peace, and hope by His power (14:17; 15:13). He enables us to pray rightly (8:26) and to call God our Father, thereby giving inward spiritual assurance that we are God’s children (8:16). We are to set our minds on the things of the Spirit if we wish to be pleasing to God (8:5, 6). Though Paul discusses spiritual gifts briefly in Romans (12:3–8), he makes no explicit mention of the Holy Spirit in connection with these gifts, except to refer to them as “spiritual” (or “of the Spirit”) in 1:11. The present work of the Holy Spirit in us is only a foretaste of His future heavenly work in us (8:23).

In the book of Philippians the Spirit’s work in three areas is mentioned in the letter. First, Paul declares that the Spirit of Jesus Christ will direct the accomplishment of God’s purpose in his own experience (1:19). The Holy Spirit also promotes unity and fellowship in the body of Christ (2:1). Common participation in Him breeds singleness of purpose and maintains a community of love. Then, in contrast to the lifeless ritual observance of formalists, the Holy Spirit inspires and directs the worship of true believers (3:3).

Direct references to the Holy Spirit in 1 Timothy are rare, but He was at work from the inception of the church at Ephesus (see Acts 19:1–7). The “intercessions” (2:1) are prayers that involve the Holy Spirit’s assistance (Rom. 8:26, 27). The statement that “the Spirit expressly says” (4:1) underscores the continuing activity of the Holy Spirit and Paul’s sensitivity to His promptings. In 4:14 Paul reminds Timothy of “the gift” that was given to him “by prophecy,” a special ability for ministry given as a charisma of the Spirit when hands were laid on him. Further, “a good testimony” (3:7) would also include a leader’s being “full of the Holy Spirit” as with the first appointment of leaders (Acts 6:3).

In the book of 1 Corinthians (12:13) Paul states the basis for the principle of unity within diversity. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the common life of Christians and a greater dynamic than all human distinctives. The Greek grammar in this statement parallels other passages that speak of being “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (see Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16). While Spirit baptism describes a primary spiritual reality for all believers, Paul still pleads for a Spirit-filled experience (Eph. 5:18) that includes the manifestations listed here.

1 Cor. 12:8–11 These nine gifts specify the varied distribution necessary for a full manifestation of the Spirit: The word of wisdom is a spiritual utterance at a given moment through the Spirit, supernaturally disclosing the mind, purpose, and will of God as applied to a specific situation. The word of knowledge is a supernatural revelation of information pertaining to a person or an event, given for a specific purpose, usually having to do with an immediate need. The gift of faith is a unique form of faith that goes beyond natural faith and saving faith. It supernaturally trusts and does not doubt with reference to the specific matters involved. Gifts of healings are those healings that God performs supernaturally by the Spirit. The plural suggests that as there are many sicknesses and diseases, the gift is related to healings of many disorders. The working of miracles is a manifestation of power beyond the ordinary course of natural law. It is a divine enablement to do something that could not be done naturally. Prophecy is a divine disclosure on behalf of the Spirit, an edifying revelation of the Spirit for the moment (14:3), a sudden insight of the Spirit, prompting exhortation or comfort (14:3, 30). Discerning of spirits is the ability to discern the spirit world, and especially to detect the true source of circumstances or motives of people. Different kinds of tongues is the gift of speaking supernaturally in a language not known to the individual. The plural allows different forms, possibly harmonizing the known spoken languages of Acts 2:4–6 and the unknown trans-rational utterances in Corinthians, designed particularly for praying and singing in the Spirit, mostly for private worship (14:14–19). The interpretation of tongues is the gift of rendering the trans-rational (but not irrational) message of the Spirit meaningful to others when exercised in public. It is not the translation of a foreign language. Note: None of the gifts require a “public” setting, although each may and should be welcomed in corporate gatherings.

1 Cor. 12:12–26 In comparing the church to the human body, Paul shows how the wide diversity of gifts assures unity in the church. Each gift contributes something necessary to the common life and growth of the whole.

1 Cor. 12:27–30 Members individually: The lessons from the human body are now practically applied to individuals. No one has all the gifts. Any order of ranking would contradict the context, which is a mix of the gifts, ministries, and activities of the Trinity, illustrating how variety and diversity operate in different people (12:4–6). Helps describes all forms of loving service and support, a manifestation of the Spirit often overlooked. Administrations is another of the less honorable, that is, less noticeable ministries (v. 23), giving guidance and assistance behind the scenes. 
~Bits and Pieces of NSFB