IV. DUTIFUL (PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS)--12:1-16:27 (Part I: 12:1-13:14)
A. Service in the Gospel--12:1-13:14
1. Relationship to God--12:1,2
a. Consecration--v. 1
(I) General
statements
(A)
The practical outworking of Romans 6
(B)
God wants us before He wants our service.
(C)
Verses 1 and 2 are the key verses of the section.
(II) The introductory
statements
(A)
"I beseech you"
(1) "What an astonishing word to come from God! From a
God against whom we had sinned, and
under whose judgment we were! What a word
to us, believers,-- a race of sinners so lately at
enmity with God."--Newell, 447
(2) The word is parakaleo which means "to call to one's
side, to call for, to summon" thus to beseech,or
beg, or entreat.
(B)
"Brethren"--the great word for believers
(C)
"The mercies of God"
(1) "By means of the mercies of God"
(2) Refers to the immediate context, i. e., Romans
9-11
(3) Certainly includes the larger context, i. e.
Romans 1-11
(a) God's mercies shown in salvation--3:21-5:11
(b) God's mercies shown in sanctification--5:12-8:39
(c) God's mercies shown in His dealings with
Israel--9:1-11:36
(4) NOTE:. Newell, 448, presents nine such mercies (all of
which are in Romans 3:21-11:36).
(a) Justification
(b) Identification
(c) Under grace, not law
(d) The Spirit indwelling
(e) Help in infirmity
(f) Divine election
(g) Coming glory
(h) No separation possible
(i) Confidence in God's faithfulness
(III) The presentation
(A)
Of our bodies
(1) Cf. Romans 6:12, 13
(2) The verb is in the aorist tense which signifies that this
is a once-for-all presentation.
(3) The presentation is to be made in view of the mercies
of God.
(4) By reason of the fact that "the body is the organ
of practical activity," states some. (Alford, 439;
italics are his.)
(5) Others say it is "an indication that the sanctification
of Christian life is to extend to that part of man’s
nature which is most completely under the bondage of
sin." (Alford, 439)
(6) To this writer, the difference is small; suffice it to say
our bodies are the outward expression of our
inner man.
(B)
A daily, living sacrifice
(1) In contrast with the the Levitical sacrifices of slain
animals
(2) No longer by the shedding of blood, since "our great
sacrifice, the Lord Jesus," has "been slain for
us, and by the shedding of His blood perfect
remission" has "been obtained. (Alford, 440)
(3) A daily aspect
(a) Not in our text as such
(b) Implied in the tense of the verbs in
Romans 6:12,13 on the negative side.
(c) Cf. Luke 9:23
(C)
Holy
(1) Cf. Exodus 29:37--concerning Israel's offerings
(2) Hebrews 12:14
(3) "Set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His"
--Thayer, 7; italics are his.
(D)
"Acceptable to God"
(1) Well-pleasing to God
(2) Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:9
(3) Requires faith--Hebrews 11:6
(E)
"Your reasonable service"
(1) Logikos--rational, agreeable to reason, or even spiritual
(2) Reasonable in the light of the mercies of God
(3) Reasonable and intelligent in contrast with outward religious
services of the Old Testament which
were only shadows of reality, and, therefore,
not rational or intelligent.
(4) Newell, 450, footnote; italics are his.--"It is sad and
terrible to see how professing Christianity has
departed from all this blessed 'intelligent
service’ in the Holy Spirit, back into the darkness of
man-prescribed man-prescribed religion!
Imagine Peter setting up holy days, in the Book of Acts"
"We will either yield ourselves to God, and be
led by the Holy Spirit into the 'intelligent service' that
belongs to this dispensation and to the true
Christian; or we will be hiding away from God in the false
'Christian' forms and ceremonies 'Christendom,'
with its religion, has taken on. "God abhors
'ceremonies,'--since the blessed Holy Ghost has
come, and has brought liberty!"
(5) This is not to say that our worship is formless; it affirms
that the form of worship is flexible.
b. Conformation--v. 2
(I) Negatively
(A)
The words
(1) Sunschematizesthe
(a) A present tense, possibly imperative
(b) Stop being fashioned or be not fashioned
(c) Word means "to conform to another's pattern"
(Cf. Thayer, 608)
(d) Literally."schemed-together-with"
(e) Cf. 1 Corinthians 7:31 for this word
(2) Aion
(a) Not world, but age
(b) However, here it undoubtedly partakes of
the meaning of cosmos, world-order.
(c) This word here has a time connotation.
(B)
The meaning
(1) Separation
(a) From the world's pattern
((I)) 1 John 2:15
((II)) James 4:4
((III)) Material gain and
satisfaction of lust
(b) From the world's pleasures
((I)) Not all pleasure is
worldly.
((II)) Any pleasure is worldly
if it
((A)) Dulls
your spiritual eyes to God
((B)) Makes
you less sensitive to His leading
((C)) Harms
your testimony
(c) From the world's possessions
((I)) Possessions are not
wrong.
((II)) Love of possessions
above love of God is wrong.
((III)) 1 John 2:15 is not
limited to pleasures, but it specifies "things."
(2) "The devil will rope you into his 'scheme' unless you surrender
your body to God to be by Him
delivered." (Newell, 451, footnote)
(3) Cf. Titus 2:12
(II) Positively
(A)
"Transformed by means of the renewing of the mind"
(B)
Transformed
(1) Metamorphousthai
(a) Used of Christ--Matthew 17:2
(b) Present passive imperative
(c) To change into another form
(2) Illus: the change of a caterpillar to a
butterfly
(3) Cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18
(C)
By renewing of the mind
(1) Renovation, complete change for the better
(2) A constant renewing
(a) Requires patient waiting on God in prayer--Psalm
27:14
(b) Requires a constant confessing of sin--1
John 1:7, 9
(c) Requires a practising of God's presence
in everyday tasks
(d) Requires study of God's word--2 Timothy
2:15
(3) Renewing of the mind
(a) Nous--the faculties of perceiving
and understanding as well as those of feeling, judging, and
determining.
(b) Includes more than the reasoning faculties;
almost equals soul. However, the reasoning faculties
are primarly in view
(c) Scriptures
((I)) 2 Corinthians 10:5
((II)) Ephesians 4:23
((III)) Philippians 4:8
(d) Also see this writer's web page,
"A Biblical Psychology."
(III) Resultantly
(A)
Proof of what is God's will
(1) "To test"
(2) Not seeking after "victory or blessing" (Newell, 457)
(3) An experiential entering into God's will
(4) Not "acquiring the faculty of proving" but of
"practical proof by experience." (Alford, 440)
(5) Some of the indications that a course of action
is God's will
(a) The Word of God
(b) Circumstances
(c) Peace of mind and heart
(B)
Proof that God's will is
(1) Good
(a) Good for us
(b) Good because it is His
(2) Acceptable
(a) First to God
(b) Then to you and me
(c) Same word as first verse --well-pleasing
(3) Perfect
(a) Teleion
((I)) Brought to an end,
finished
((II)) Thus, "wanting nothing
necessary to completeness, perfect"
((III)) Also has the idea
of full-grown, or mature
(b) Thus God's will is mature and for the
mature
(c) Leads to our perfecting or maturing
(4) Note the progression here from good to acceptable, from
acceptable to perfect
2. Relationship to the gifts of the
Spirit--12:3-8
a. Spiritual gifts should humble us--v.
3.
(I) The introductory
phrase
(A)
For I say--a "mild expression for 'I command'" (Alford, 440)
(B)
Through the grace given unto me--"By means of my apostolic office,
of the grace conferred on me to
guide and exhort the church." (Ibid.)
(C)
To every man that is among you
(1) Every man--every one
(2) Here applies the precept to the individual
(D)
"It is a distinct command of the apostle (emphasized by allusion to
the mighty apostolic charge and
grace given by God to him direct to us) that being surrendered
to God, we come into a sober estimate of
our place,--or our 'measure of faith.'"--Newell, 458
(II) The negative
phrase
(A)
Be not proud
(B)
A play on words
(1) Phronein--to think
(2) Huperphronein--to over-think
(3) Par’ho--beyond what
(4) "Not to be high-minded, above that which he ought to be
minded." (Alford, 441)
(C)
Robertson, 403--"Self-conceit is here treated as a species of
insanity."
(D)
Scriptures
(1) 1 Corinthians.4:6
(2) 2 Timothy 3:4
(3) James 4:6
(E)
"Over-estimation of one's importance among the saints is a fundamental
temptation."--Newell, 458
(III) The positive
phrase
(A)
Be humble
(B)
Again a play on words
(1) Phronein--to think
(2) Sophronein--to be sober-minded
(3) "But to be so minded, as to be sober-minded." (Alford,
441)
(C)
The example of Christ--Philippians 2:5
(D)
Other Scripture
(1) Same verb in 2 Corinthians 5:13
(2) James 4:10
(E)
"Only the one who comes into a personal discernment of God's special
will through surrender to Him,
will come to have a 'sober estimate' of his own place."
(Newell, 458)
(IV) The concluding
phrase
(A)
A measure of faith (metron), not knowledge
(B)
"God has granted to each one of His saints a certain allotment, or
'measure of faith'--that is, of the
ability to lay hold on the mighty operation of the Spirit
of grace."--Newell, 458
(C)
Note that it is a gift of God
(D)
"To each man" is in the emphatic position which emphasizes the diversity
of these gifts.
(E)
The verses to follow (vv. 4-8) further explain this verse.
b. Spiritual gifts should be exercised
in the church--vv. 4-8
(I) The body of
Christ--vv. 4, 5
(A)
This is the first mention of this great doctrine which Paul alone sets
forth.
(B)
The One Body
(1) Compared to the human body
(2) 1 Corinthians 12:12, 13
(3) Ephesians 1:22b, 23a
(4) Ephesians 5:28-32
(5) Colossians 1:24b
(6) "We do not have any right to use the word 'body' of any
but the true, mystical Body of Christ:
those who have been 'by the one Spirit baptized
into One Body.'" . . . . "The Church which is
Christ's Body is the blessed company of all
true believers from Pentecost to its Rapture at Christ's
coming." . . . . "Today the true Church
is not what you see gathering into meetings all about you, but
that company of true believers known to
God, all of whom have been baptized by the Spirit into
One Body, and who also are indwelt by the Spirit.
All others, no matter however prominent" . . .
"they may be" in the organized church, "are simply
part of the" house of God.--Newell, 459-460,
footnote; italics are his.
(C)
The many members
(1) Compared to the human body
(2) 1 Corinthians 12:27
(3) Ephesians 4:25
(4) Members suffer together--1 Corinthians 12:26
(5) All members needful--1 Corinthians 12:14ff.
(6) "Note carefully that Scripture never speaks of "church
members," as men today do; nor of
"membership" in or of a local assembly
[as needful as this may be]; but only of membership in the
Body of Christ, and of membership
one of another. We are members of the heavenly Head,
Christ, and therefore members one of another
by an operation of the Spirit of God, not by action
of man. In local assemblies [churches],
according to Scripture, we have fellowship, as already
members of Christ and of one another.
The importance of seeing this is immeasurable. For the
great fact that we are one, actually
members of other believers, is made by the Spirit of God
the
basis of our love toward one another!"--Newell,
460; italics are his.
(7) The above statement does not decry or vitiate belong to
a local church. It is trying to prevent
confusing the two, which unfortunately is often
done. Thus it is more correct to say you are members
of our fellowship than to say you are members
of our church.
(8) Acts 2:47b--"And the Lord added to the church daily such
as should be saved"; verse 41b states:
"and the same day there were added unto them
about three thousand souls." The word "them"
would seem to indicate a group--whether called
a "church" or "assembly." It would seem, then, that
some means was used to determine those who had
been saved. Whether or not the reception was
formal or not, the addition was made to "them." To
argue that the word "church" only refers to the
"body of Christ" and not to a local "church"
or "assembly" is basically fallacious because at that point
in church history there was no distinction between
the "body of Christ" and the "local church." It was
THE ONLY LOCAL CHURCH.
(II) The spiritual
gifts--vv. 6-8
(A)
Having gifts differing according to the grace given to us
(1) Gifts of the Spirit are varied and numerous.
(2) Each believer has some particular gift "to be bestowed by
the already indwelling Spirit."--Newell,
461
(3) Gifts are given.
(4) According to grace ( unmerited favor)
(5) Therefore, who can boast in his gift?
(6) Sometimes a rare pastor has either all or most of these
gifts.
(7) The idea here seems to be separate gifts to different
people.
(8) Gift of tongues omitted
(a) Scripture
((I)) 1 Corinthians
12:28-31
((II)) Ephesians 4:7, 11
(b) Strange indeed is this omission in the light
of the overemphasis on tongues in our day.
(9) The purpose of gifts--Ephesians 4:12-16
(B)
The gifts
(1) Prophecy
(a) Forth-telling as much as fore-telling
(b) The prophet probably spoke under immediate
inspiration.
(c) If this be the case, then the prophets
(particularly as to the "fore-telling" aspect) have ceased to
be; this would accord with
1 Corinthians13:8.
(d) However, any one who tells forth the good
news could be considered a prophet
(2) Ministry
(a) Diakonian--those who execute the commands
of others
(b) Can refer to
((I)) Ministers
((II)) Deacons
(c) Can be used of those who wait on
tables
(3) Teaching
(a) Didaskon--one who teaches
(b) We get our English word "didactics" from
it.
(c) "to hold discourse with others in order
to instruct them."--Thayer, 144; italics are his.
(d) The teacher speaks by "working by the secondary
instruments of his will and reason and
rhetorical powers."--Alford,
442
(4) Exhorting
(a) Parakaleo--to call to one's side
(b) It may also be a prophet, but this writer
is inclined to think that he can be separate from a
prophet.
(c) Exhorting here includes comforting and
encouraging.
(5) Giving
(a) Greek--to share anything with anyone
(b) Giving is a gift of God, and a spiritual
gift.
(c) With simplicity--with liberality
(6) Ruling
(a) Greek--He that presides
(b) Question--over what?
((I)) Over the church
((A))
Possible
((B)) This
is objected to on the grounds that it should precede "giving" since giving
is a private
gift as are the others from here to the end.
((II)) Over a man's own
household
((A)) Used
that way in 1 Timothy 3:4, 12
((B)) Certainly
has this idea, but in light of the word diligence, a broader
meaning may be in
view.
((III)) Every employment
where a person may have opportunity to preside
((A)) The
word diligence would certainly apply in this case.
((B)) This
is the best solution to this person.
(c) It thus implies "that he who is by God set
over others, be they members of the Church or of his
own household [Or over one's
state, country, or business], must not allow himself to forget his
responsibility, and take
his duty indolently and easily, but must [rule diligently--he uses the
actual
Greek words], making it a
serious matter of continual diligence."--Alford, 443
(7) Shewing mercy
(a) Greek--He that shows mercy
(b) Certainly "is intended" to apply to "every
private Christian who exercises compassion."--Alford,
Ibid.
(c) The exhortation to do it with "cheerfulness"
may be due to the fact that often it is done as a duty
that arises from obedience to one's conscience.
(Ibid.)
(d) With cheerfulness--with hilarity
(e) Though it can be applied to every believer,
a specific gift is in view.
3. Relationship to believers--12:9-16
a. The principle of love--vv. 9,
10
(I) The first and
most important of the principles
(II) Love is to be
genuine.
(A)
Without dissimulation--without hypocrisy, thus genuine
(B)
Cf. 1 John 3:18
(III) Helps you to
hate evil and hold fast the good
(A)
Abhor the evil
(1) "This is impossible to the unregenerate, and only intermittently
possible for the carnal Christian; but to
one who has obeyed the first two verses of
this chapter and surrendered to God, it is a holy
instinct!"--Newell, 469
(2) Cf. Psalm 97:10
(B)
Cleave to the good
(1) Cf. Philippians 4:8
(2) "Trust the anointing which you have received (I John 2:20,
27) for discernment; and trust the study of
the Word of God, to teach you what is really
good."--Newell, 469; italics are his.
(IV) Love for the
brethren
(A)
The text
(1) With brotherly love
(a) Actually first in the sentence, thus
emphatic
(b) Greek--philadelphia
(2) Be kindly affectioned one to another.
(a) Notice the mutuality
(b) Tenderly affectioned--how rare even among
Christians
(c) The mutual love of parents and
children
(d) Ephesians 4:32
(3) In honor preferring one another
(a) What a beautiful grace! (Newell, 469)
(b) Evidence of true humility
(c) "Really to prefer from your heart
other believers before yourself, to be glad when others are
honored above you."--Newell,
469-470; italics are his.
(d) How often this is lacking in churches
today!
(B)
Other Scriptures
(1) John 13:35
(2) 1 Thessalonians 3:12
(3) 1 Peter 1:22
(4) 1 John
(a) 3:14, 23
(b) 4:7, 8, 11, 12, 20, 21
b. The principle of labor--v. 11
(I) Industrious
(A)
Authorized Version has "business" whereas the Greek says "zeal."
(1) Certainly true of business (may have been used in
a broader sense than what is construed as
business today)
(2) But the three things here are spiritual things
(B)
In Spiritual things
(1) Zealous--Ecclesiastes 9:10a
(2) Service to God--1 Corinthians 15:58
(3) slothful-- to hesitate, to be slow
(II) Fervent in
spirit
(A)
Fervent
(1) Opposite--dignified, cold, unemotional
(2) Ardent, or burning
(3) A person can have emotion without jumping up and down and/or
shouting.
(B)
In spirit
(1) Primarily refers to the human spirit
(2) Secondarily it can refer to the Holy Spirit as the one who
"lights this fire within" us. (Alford, 444)
(C)
Cf. Acts 18:25
(D)
Has to do with serving the Lord
a. The principle of hope--v. 12
(I) Causes rejoicing
(A)
"Our hopes are bound up with our Lord's coming, in prospect of which
we should constantly be filled
with exultation."--Newell,
470
(B)
Philippians 4:4--said from prison
(II) Causes patience
(A)
Patience is always the result of tribulation.
(B)
1 Thessalonians 5:14
(III) Causes unceasing
prayer
(A)
The practice of the early church--cf. the Book of Acts
(B)
To be done expectantly and with thanksgiving
(C)
"Ten will attend Bible teaching, and one hundred Sunday preaching, to two
or three who 'in prayer
steadfastly continue': but be thou of that two or three;
for to them Christ reveals Himself; and they
become channels of blessing to countless other."--Newell,
470-471; italics are his.
(D)
1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18
d. The principle of liberality--vv.
13, 14
(I) In giving
(A)
"To the needs of the saints contributing"--Newell, 471; bold
type is his.
(B)
"When you obey this injunction and begin wisely to inquire about the saints'
needs, you will be
astonished at two things: first, at the actual pressing necessities
of many saints all about you; and
second, at the way God will supply your own necessities as you
minister to them."--Newell, 471; italics
are his.
(C)
Cf.
(1) Galatians 6:10
(2) 1 Timothy 6:17-19
(II) In hospitality
(A)
Could be rendered "pursuing hospitality"
(B)
Could almost be rendered "persecute strangers with kindness." (Cf. Newell,
471)
(C)
Hospitality--Greek, "love of strangers"
(D)
It "means far more than being 'willing to entertain' those who call on
you."--Newell, 472
(E)
Rather it means to go after this business of showing kindness to
strangers.
(F)
Note: it is to show love not to friends, but to strangers
(G)
1 Timothy 3:2
(III) In rendering
good for evil
(A)
To render evil for good is beast-like; to render evil for evil is human-like;
to render good for evil is
God-like.
(B)
NOTE: "It is not mere outward blessing that is commanded, but refraining
from inward reservations, or
private expressions, for sometimes we speak sweetly to opposers;
but our after words prove that we
did not allow our hearts to go out in love to those
enemies."--Newell, 472
(C)
Scriptures
(1) Verse 17
(2) Matthew 5:44
(3) Luke 6:27.28
e. The principle of sympathy--v.
15
(I) Rejoice with the
rejoicing
(A)
Relatively easy to do
(B)
We are to be happy when another believer is blessed and finds reason to
rejoice.
(II) Weep with the
sorrowing
(A)
To really sympathize with another is very hard to do sometimes.
(B)
When one has lost a person dear to him, he finds it easier to be sympathetic
to others.
(C)
Cf. our Lord at Lazarus' grave
f. The principle of unity--v. 16
(I) "Be of the
same mind one toward another."
(A)
"The harmony which proceeds from a common object. common hopes and common
desires"--Sanday
(quoted by Newell, 473)
(B)
"Actuated by a common and well-understood feeling of mutual allowance
and kindness."--.Alford, 445
(C)
Scriptures
(1) 1 Corinthians 1:10
(2) Ephesians 4:3
(D)
"Reference is not to uniformity of thought, but to charity of
attitude."--Newell, 473
(II) "Mind not high
things, but condescend to men of low estate."
(A)
"Not minding high things, but being carried away along with the
lowly."--Newell, 473; bold type
is his.
(1) The problem is whether the phrase "the lowly" refers to
people or things.
(2) Favoring the idea that it refers to things is the first
phrase, "high things."
(3) In favor of the idea that people are in view is the
first part of the verse, "Be of the same mind one
toward another."
(4) The ambiguity on Paul's part may be deliberate in order
to convey both ideas.
(5) Thus, the rendering "the lowly" without specifying
"things"or"men," may be the best.
(6) However, the whole context deals with people rather than
things, and even the immediately
preceding phrase, being subjective in nature,
implies people.
(B)
Cf. Philippians 2:2-5
(C)
"There frequently forms in the congregation of believers an aristocratic
tendency, every one striving by
means of the Christian brotherhood to associate with those
who, by their gifts or fortune, occupy a
higher position. . . ." The apostle "recommends the members
of the church to attach themselves to all
alike, and if they will yield to a preference, to show
it rather for the humble."--Godet (quoted by
Newell, 473-474).
(D)
Well does Newell warn, "Beware always of any 'religious' movement
cultivating the rich!" (page 474)
(III) "Be not wise
in your own conceits."
(A)
A following of the principle of unity will lead to humility.
(B)
This expression occurs seven times in Scripture; five times in the Old Testament
and twice in Romans
(cf. 11:25) .
(1) Proverbs 3:7
(2) Proverbs 26:5, 12, 16
(3) Proverbs 28:11
(C)
The self-conceited will not be among those who weep with the sorrowing.
4. Relationship to unbelievers--12:17-21
a. Be honest--v. 17
(I) "Render to no
man evil for evil."
(A)
Greek--"Give back to no man evil against evil."
(B)
Notice that this exhortation is given to Christians.
(C)
Scriptures
(1) Matthew 5:39
(2) 1 Corinthians 13:5, 6
(3) 1 Thessalonians 5:15
(D)
"Satan and the world hate God's saints who walk with Him; and will do them
all permitted evil. Now
do not lay it up against the doer, if evil has been done
you. Alas, some real believers are thoughtless;
some jealous, some envious, some possibly even spiteful. Put
far away the expectation of' 'getting even'
with anybody."--Newell, 474-475
(II) "Provide things
honest in the sight of all men."
(A)
Greek--"Taking care by forethought for comely things before all men."
(B)
The meaning here is "to take careful forethought for such a course of
Christian behavior ('honorable
things') as will commend itself to all." "We forget, most
of us, thus to view our lives as a whole, day by
day , detecting and rejecting whatever in ourselves others might
criticize as not honorable."--Newell,
475
(III) 2 Corinthians
8:21
b. Be Peaceable--v. 18
(I) Berkeley--"If
possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
(II) NOTE:
(A)
You have peace with God--Romans 5:1.
(B)
You can have the peace of God--Philippians 4:7.
(C)
You are to demonstrate this peace to others.
(III) "Paul himself
did cause trouble everywhere, as did our Lord, who said, 'Think not that
I came to send
peace
on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.' But neither Paul
nor his Lord was ever the
selfish
cause of trouble. It is not always possible for a Christian to
be at peace with all men, but he can be
a
peace-lover ; a peace-liver; and often a peace-maker among men."--Newell,
475
c. Be overcomers--vv. 19-21
(I) Negatively
(A)
The passage generally
(1) Verse 17--recompense not
(2) Verse 19--avenge not
(3) Verse 21--be not overcomed
(B)
Avenge not
(1) Means to exact justice
(2) Cf. Luke 18:5 for a good use of this word
(C)
"Be not overcome of evil"
(1) Greek--"Stop being conquered by the evil."
(2) Paul is virtually saying, "If you suffered yourselves
to be provoked to revenge, you would be yielding
to the enemy."--Alford, 446
(II) Positively
(A)
The passage generally
(1) Verse 18 --peaceable
(2) Verse 19--God is your avenger.
(3) Verses 20, 21--Give good for evil.
(B)
"Give place unto wrath"
(1) Wrath of man does not work righteousness--James
1:20.
(2) The idea is to "'give room for the (. . .) wrath' of God
instead of taking vengeance in your own
hands."--Robertson, 406
(C)
God is the Avenger--v. 19
(1) Quoting Deuteronomy 32:35
(2) A day of judgment is coming in which God will justly
repay the wrong doing of others.
(3) The word "repay" or "recompense" means to pay back personally
and accurately. Only God can do
that.
(4) Cf. Hebrews 10:30 where the passage is quoted in connection
with God's coming judgment
(5) "'Forestall not God's wrath,' says Meyer, 'by personal revenge,
but let it have its course and its
sway. The morality of this precept
is based on the holiness of God. Hence, so far as wrath
and
love are the two poles of holiness. it
does not exclude the blessing of our adversaries and
intercession for them.’” (Quoted by
Newell, 476; uncertain whether italics are his or Meyer's)
(D)
Our attitude towards enemies--v. 20
(1) Possibly quoting Proverbs 25:21f.
(2) Possibly refering to such passages as Psalm 11:6; Psalm
140:10
(3) Feed your hungry enemy; give drink to your thirsty enemy.
(4) Result: "Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his
head."
(a) "Of course, as always. when the literal
statements of God's judgment are made, we are apt to
shrink in timidity and unbelief,
and seek to evade the actualities."--Newell, 477
(b) Both Alford and Robertson do this.
((I)) Alford, 446; italics
are his.--"I understand the words, 'For in this doing , you will be
taking
the most effectual vengeance [This is apparently his rendering of the
Greek];' as
effectual
as if you heaped coals of fire on his head."
((II)) Robertson, 406--"It
is a metaphor for keen anguish."
((III)) It should be obvious
that Alford, though not strictly literal, is more so than Robertson.
(c) However, as Newell reminds us, "But remember,
exactly what we are dealing with: we are
asked to step aside from
self-avenging, and 'give place' to God's coming vengeance and
recompense." (page 477)
(d) Two things to keep in mind
((I)) "The knowledge .and
constant remembrance by the saints of the coming literal doom of
the
wicked, is
both a deep incentive to a holy walk, and a strong motive for loving and
praying for
them."--Ibid.
((II)) "Let us not forget
that the more we are a 'sweet savor of Christ unto God' as we preach
the
gospel, the
more we become a 'savor from death unto death in them that are perishing,'"
"It is
a fearful
thought that in our kindness to enemies--enemies of our Lord and of
ourselves for
the gospel's
sake, we may be increasing their doom: but the responsibility is theirs;
the
obedient kindness,
ours!"--Newell, 477-478
(E)
Be overcomers rather than overcomed--v. 21.
(1) The word "evil" here is directly connected with v. 20--
the hatefulness of us believers for the Gospel
sake.
(2) Greek--”Keep on conquering the evil in the good."
(3) Notice that it is not just stop doing something, but there
is also the positive emphasis.
(4) Newell, 478; italics are his.--"Merely to stop doing wrong
things will finally make a monk out of
you; doing good, will put you in Paul's company.
No one is 'overcoming' in the sense of Romans
12:12 [21?] save those whose time is filled
with good: praise, prayer, and thanksgiving towards
God; and loving ministry towards men!"
5. Relationship to government--13:1-7
a. The duty to the state--vv. 1, 2
(I) General
(A)
Be in subjection
(B)
Subjection in all things except in matters pertaining to God.
(C)
Cf. Matthew 22:21
(D)
Cf. 1 Peter 2:13-17
(II) The subjection--v.
1a
(A)
"Let every soul be in subjection to the authorities in power."
(B)
"Every soul" refers to every person, but particularly to the believer.
(C)
This lesson is very important, for "Lawlessness--contempt for authority--is
upon us like a flood."--
Newell, 481
(III) The authority--v.
1b
(A)
All authority is ultimately from God, that is, by God--God is the Author
of order, not anarchy.
(B)
"Paul is not arguing for the divine right of kings or for any special
form of government [including
democracy], but for government and order. Nor does he
oppose here revolution for a change of
government, but he does oppose all lawlessness and
disorder."--Robertson, 407
(C)
Paul has in view here "an established power, be it what it may.
It, in all matters lawful, we are bound
to obey. But even the parental power does not extend
to things unlawful. If the civil power commands
us to violate the law of God, we must obey God before
man. If it commands us to disobey the
common laws of humanity , or the sacred institutions of
our country, our obedience is due to the higher
and more general law.”--Alford, 447; italics are his.
(D)
"To obtain, by lawful means, the removal or alteration of an unjust
or unreasonable law, is another part
of this duty: for all authorities among men must be in
accord with the highest authority, the moral sense.
But even where law is hard and unreasonable, not
disobedience, but legitimate protest, is the duty of
the Christian."--Alford, 447; italics are his.
(IV) The resisting
of authority--v. 2
(A)
To resist--line oneself up against
(B)
One who resists authority "has taken his stand against" God's ordinance.
(C)
Newell, 484--"It is only in spiritual matters--'things that are God's'--
that to obey God rather than men'
is our path. The things pertaining to God are those that
concern our obedience to our confession of the
faith of our Lord Jesus Christ." "But, as to our
persons and our property and our lives, that is, as
regards earthly things, we are subject to the powers that God
has put in place."
(D)
When one resists he brings on himself guilt and Divine chastening.
(E)
It is obvious that Alford and Newell are not in complete agreement on this
matter. This writer agrees
that in "earthly things," we are to be subject to government.
On the other hand, particularly in this
country (USA), we have the right of "legitimate protest."
The line between the two is a fine line; legitimate
protest does not have to lead to civil disobedience which--if
this writer's understanding in correct--is a
case of disobeying rightful authority.
b. The authority of the state--vv.
3, 4
(I) Already seen that
it is derived from or by God--cf. v. 1
(II) The purpose is
to punish evil doers.
(A)
The general rule is given here: "Keep practicing the good, then you
need not fear."
(1) "Of course, Satan will stir up special trouble against those
who are proclaiming the gospel which he
desperately hates; as he stirred up unjust accusation
and persecution against the apostles and the
Lord Himself."--Newell, 485
(2) We should keep in mind that some will suffer for well-doing--cf.
1 Peter 3:17.
(B)
We should practise the right, and then we shall have praise for it.
(C)
The authority is the servant of God.
(III) Capital
punishment
(A)
For evil doers--"for not in vain does it bear the sword."
(B)
The sword has always been a symbol of a ruler's right to punish by
death.
(C)
Notice God's covenant with Noah-- Genesis 9:5. 6
(D)
"Those who decry 'capital punishment,' are themselves withstanding the Word
of God as to the very
foundation of human government."--Newell, 485-486
c. The duties of citizenship--vv.
5-7
(I) Be subject--v.
5
(A)
Paul sets forth a higher reason for obeying the government, namely, conscience's
sake.
(B)
In other words, we should be subject not only to avoid trouble, but in order
to have a good conscience
toward God in that we are doing the right.
(C)
Cf. 1 Peter 2:13, 14
(II) Pay your taxes--v.
6
(A)
Taxes are for the support of authorities who are God's servants against
evil doers.
(B)
Be honest in your tax returns, but as a good steward of the Lord be
sure to take all lawful deductions.
(III) Honor your
Leaders--v. 7
(A)
Render to all their dues, that which is owed them.
(B)
Again, be reminded to pay your taxes.
(C)
Don't complain when the custom officers go through your luggage to find what
you owe after coming
home from traveling abroad.
(1) Tribute "is generally a tax paid by subjects to a ruling
nation."--Newell, 488
(2) Custom "is a tax on us, or duty on our goods, by our own
nation."--Ibid.
(D)
Render fear to whom fear is due.
(1) Fear here does not denote terror, but rather "regard for
and awe of men in whose hands God has
placed governmental authority,--whether police,
magistrates, judges, governors, presidents, or
kings."--Newell, 489
(2) NOTE: "This ideal of the apostle neither confounds
church and state, nor places them in antagonism,
but properly co-ordinates them in Christian
ethics."--Schaff and Riddle (quoted in Newell, 489,
footnote)
(3) One might say here that "Romanism subordinates the state
to the church." "[as today Fascism and
Communism--R. W. N] subordinates the church to
the state, usually confounding them."--Ibid.
(4) Furthermore, "we may add that the Reformation did not fully
escape, in this respect, from
Romanism. . . . Calvin established a theocratic
state at Geneva, holding fast to civil powers in
religious things, which led to the burning of
Servetus! . . . We may further add that in our own day
the perpetual meddling with governmental affairs
carried on at various government centres by church
lobbies reveals that ignorance of the Church's
heavenly calling, and that vain hope to 'mend' this
present world, which so darkens the counsels
of government itself, and increases daily that
deep-seated resentment by the powers that be against
those who claim spiritual directive authority
over government."--Newell, 489, footnote; italics
are his.
(5) Though basically agreeing with Newell, this writer must
state that in the United States of America
we have the legitimate right of protest
in order to protect our rights. If Newell were alive today
(2005), he might modify his statement somewhat.
As a church we are not trying to "mend this
present world", but we do need to defend our
liberty (particularly from non-government groups such
as the ACLU that are trying get rid of God
and the Bible out of our country), otherwise we will not
be free to give even a tract to someone (Already
believers are being threatened with loss of their
jobs for even speaking of anything pertaining
to God.). It may well come to that (and if jailed, so be
it); in the mean while we need to stand up for
the rights granted us under the Constitution of the
United States.
(E)
Honor should be rendered to whom honor is due.
(1) Honor should be our attitude to those in authority. (There
is an old saying: "I respect you because of
your position; this is sometimes hard to do when
you have some in authority who are morally
corrupt.).
(2) "Honor is the attitude of reverence for the persons
of those who have authority over us."--Newell,
489
(3) Cf. 1 Peter 2:17
(4) Should include not only "law-officers, but those men to
whom God has committed wealth, or
outstanding ability; or who have risen
honorably among their fellows."-- Ibid.; italics are this
writer's.
6. Relationship to neighbor--13:8-14
a. The principle of love--vv. 8-10
(I) The debt of
love--v. 8a
(A)
The word owe here is the same root word as dues in verse 7.
(B)
"Owe no man anything" is paramount to saying "pay all your debts."
(C)
The only constant obligation that one should have is "to love one another."
(II) The fulfilling
of the Law--vv. 8b-10
(A)
Plainly says that it, loving the other man, namely one's neighbor, is the
fulfilling of the law.
(B)
NOTE: In this day when the word "love" is so misused, we must understand
what is meant here is that
highest form of love (agape) which is the attribute
of God, Who is love.
(C)
Examples from the Ten Commandments
(1) All these have to do with relationship of man to
man.
(2) "And if there be any other commandment."
(a) Paul indicates that the list is not
complete.
(b) Includes any law which one may propose.
(3) Its summary is the second and great commandment given by
the Lord.
(4) NOTE: The inclusion of these commandments here
in no wise infers that law-keeping is necessary
for salvation or for Christian growth, for notice
"that it is love, and not law-doing which is the fulness
(. . .) of law."--Newell, 490
(5) The word "fulfilled," though accurate enough, is somewhat
an unfortunate translation; the word is
"fulness", thus making love the complement of
the law, or that which fills up the law.
(D)
The reason love is the fulness of the Law
(1) Love does not work any ill or evil to one's neighbor.
(2) "He who practices love, the higher duty, has, even
before he does this, fulfilled the law, the lower."
(De Wette as quoted by A1ford, 448; italics are
De Wette's.)
(3) Cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1ff.
b. The principle of the new day--vv.
11-14
(I) The imminency
of our Lord's return--vv. 11,12a
(A)
The tendency is for us to fall asleep.
(1) 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
(2) Matthew 25:1-13--by application illustrates this
(B)
Salvation is nearer.
(1) This salvation has to do with the body--cf. Romans 8:23.
(2) Doubtlessly includes the completing of our
redemption.
(C)
The day is at hand
(1) Certainly more so than when Paul wrote these words
(2) The whole tenor of the New Testament "speaks of the
coming of the Lord as rapidly approaching."
--Alford, 449; italics are his.
(3) Keep in mind that the Apostles, as well as we, did not know
the day or the hour of His appearing.
"On the certainty of the event,
our faith is grounded: by the uncertainty of the time
our hope is
stimulated, and our watchfulness aroused.
"--Ibid.; italics are his.
(II) Exhortations
in the light of that return--vv. 12b-14
(A)
"Cast off . . . Put On"--v. 12b
(1) The negative --"Cast off the works of
darkness"
(a) Cf. Ephesians 5:1-11
(b) Colossians 3:8, 9
(c) Hebrews 12:1
(2) The positive--"Put on the armor of light"
(a) Cf. Luke 11:33-36
(b) Ephesians 5:8-14
(c) Cf. 1 John 1:5-7
(B)
The decent walk--v. 13
(1) A person's character can often be told by the way he
walks.
(2) We are children of the Day and therefore should so
walk.--cf. Colossians 2:6
(3) "Not in riotings and drunkennesses"
(a) Both of these are on the increase in
America.
(b) These nocturnal revelries which characterized
Rome in Paul's day, and, unfortunately ours, was
part of the downfall
of Rome. (A paraphrase from Newell, 493)
(4) "Not in chamberings and wantonness"
(a) Almost invariably connected with the two
preceding ones
(b) The word "chamberings" has to do with "various
forms of secret vice" (Schaff and Riddle as
quoted by Newell, 494)
(c) "Wantonness" points to "abandoned sensuality."
(Ibid.)
(5) "Not in strife and jealousy”
(a) Often these go together with the preceding
especially drunkenness.
(b) Whereas the other sins in this list
are not generally found among real Christians today, these two
too often are.
(c) See
((I)) 1 Corinthians 3:3
((II)) 1 Corinthians 5:8
((III)) Colossians 3:8
(C)
"Put on the Lord Jesus Christ"--v. 14a
(1) Earlier we were exhorted to cast off the works of
darkness.
(2) Here is the reclothing.
(3) The Lord Jesus Christ is His full title.
(4) "All true believers have put on Christ (. . .) for He is
their life."--Newell, 494-495
(a) 2 Corinthians 13:5
(b) Galatians 3:27
(5) A major passage--Colossians 3:3, 5, 8, 10, 12ff.
(6) Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ is to be clothed and armed
by the Lord Himself.
(7) Bishop Moule states: "It is by living our life in
the flesh by faith in the Son of God, that is, to say , in
effect, by personally making use of the
crucified and living Savior, Lord, Deliverer, our Peace and
Power, amidst all the dark hosts of evil
can do against us." (Newell, 496, footnote)
(D)
"Make no provision for the flesh to fulfil its desires."
(1) The word "provision" is "forethought."
(2) The flesh has endless desires (This list is basically from
Newell, 496)
(a) Self-esteem
(b) "Sensitiveness"
(c) Love of praise
(d) Man-fearing
(e) Fleshly amiability
(f) Flattery of others for selfish ends
(NOTE: This is not the same of genuine praise of a person.)
(g) Pride
(h) "Dignity"
(i) Impatience of non-recognition by
others
(j) Empty conceit
(k) As well as the lower lusts
(3) Only by putting on the Lord Jesus Christ can we not make
provision for the flesh.
(E)
It should be noted that none of this is possible if a person
has not received Jesus Christ as one's
personal Savior; likewise, this is, in the final analysis, depends
on Romans 12:1, 2.