well, Dan, I'm going to just throw this out. It's not so much a deep dive of Romans 12, but just thoughts on it. Used https://biblehub.com/interlinear/romans/12.htm for a basis of getting meanings of certain words in original language, and parts taken from there say "Strong's Lexicon". Otherwise, I tried to put any resources with the section it pertains to. Otherwise they are just thoughts on the verse, though seems that new thoughts keep coming to be added. Was originally for a bible study where they go through a chapter a week in study. Otherwise: Pray, study, learn, share.
Romans
12
Quick
breakdown:
I. Based
on the truths learned in the first section of the book, we should
offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God (1-2)
II. We
are to use each of our unique God-given gifts for His glory (3-8)
A.
Because what we have is from God, we ought to be humble (3)
B.
Each member of the body has a different role (4-5)
C.
We are to use our God-give gifts (6)
D.
Use each specific gift to the fullest (6b-8)
III.
Qualities of the complete Christian (verses 9-21)
A.
Love (9-10)
B.
Passion (11)
C.
Heavenly-minded (12)
D.
Hospitable (13)
E.
Forgiving (14)
F.
Encouraging (15)
G.
Others-centered (16)
H.
Upright (17)
I.
Peaceful (18octr
J.
Patient (19
K.
Generous (20)
L.
Victorious (21)
Reference:
(https://studyandobey.com/inductive-bible-study/romans-studies/romans12/)
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Longer
breakdown:
V.
1 (To) Admonish:
advise or urge (someone) earnestly. To call to one's side, to
exhort, to encourage, to comfort, to urge (Strong’s Lexicon)
In
view of
– through, by, because of, for the sake of: It often indicates
causation or reason, such as "because of" or "for the
sake of." In the New Testament, this term frequently appears in
contexts that describe the means by which God accomplishes His
purposes, the agency of Christ in salvation, or the reason for human
actions. (Strong’s Lexicon)
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Thought
this was a good point bout this part of verse from
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/romans-12/
By
the mercies of God reminds
us that we do this because of the mercy shown to us by God (described
well in Romans
1-11),
and that we are only able to
offer ourselves to God as He works His mercy in us. God commanded us
to do this, and He makes it possible for us to do it.
-
Whereas the heathen are prone to sacrifice in order to obtain mercy,
biblical faith teaches that the divine mercy provides the basis of
sacrifice as the fitting response.” (Harrison)
-
Think of all the mercies
of God Paul
has explained to us thus far: Justification from the guilt and
penalty of sin. · Adoption in Jesus and identification with
Christ. · Placed under grace, not law. · Giving the Holy
Spirit to live within. · Promise of help in all affliction.
· Assurance of a standing in God’s election. · Confidence
of coming glory. · Confidence of no separation from the love of
God. · Confidence in God’s continued faithfulness.
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Present
your bodies: our
bodies are both physical and spiritual. We are to give not just what
we do, but who we are, everything. Nothing is held back.
Matthew
7:21-23 21 “Not
everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father
who is in heaven. 22 On
that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy
in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many
mighty works in your name?’ 23 And
then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart
from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
- hence everything must be in line, it's not about what you see, but what you are. You can see one thing or present one "face" but inside it is another, I'm talking from experience. It is a hard truth, you either learn and change or stay that way. Everyday can be a struggle. Give all to GOD or nothing.
Living
sacrifice-
1Cor. 6:20 …” bought with a price… Honor God with your bodies”
1 Peter 2:5-8- Offer spiritual sacrifices
This
is not a one and done thing. It is a continuous
sacrifice.
In the same idea of OT Law, but deeper: there is no abstaining from
cloven animals or mixing woven materials, and etc., as well as
performing outward sacrifices that die. This is a daily sacrifice in
our hearts ex: lust, pride, anger, which manifest outwardly into
adultery/fornication, putting people down or looking down on them,
violence of many kinds, etc.
The
sacrifice must be:
Holy:
Holy, sacred, set apart- It conveys the idea of moral purity,
sanctity, and consecration
(Strong’s
Lexicon)
Pleasing
-
It often conveys the idea of actions, attitudes, or offerings that
align with God's will and are thus approved by Him. This word
emphasizes the importance of living a life that is in harmony with
divine standards and is often associated with moral and spiritual
conduct. (Strong’s Lexicon)
Remember
Nadab and Abihu
(Aaron’s sons, Lev 10: 1-2, foreign incense, killed) and Eli’s
son’s (1Samuel 2:12-18, priests but bad and immoral, died and in
turn Eli died after hearing news)
V2:
“Do
not
conform”:
means
to not conform or shape oneself according to a particular pattern or
model. It implies an external conformity to a standard or example,
often with the nuance of adapting to the surrounding environment or
societal norms. (Strong’s Lexicon)
1Peter
1:14-16: 14 “As obedient children, do not conform to
the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But
just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for
it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a
“Be
transformed”:
In
the New Testament this term in Greek is used to describe both
physical and spiritual transformations. The term implies a change
that is not merely superficial but involves an essential alteration
in nature or character.
(Strong’s
Lexicon)
“By
the Renewing”:
The
Greek term "anakainósis" refers to the process of renewal
or transformation, particularly in a spiritual or moral sense. It
implies restoration to a former state or an improvement to a new and
better condition. In the New Testament, it is used to describe the
spiritual renewal that occurs in a believer's life through the work
of the Holy Spirit. (Strong’s Lexicon)
It
is not a one-time renewing. This
is a state of renewing. Like a battery, it is charged/renewed over
and over. We sin, we need to repent and restart again. The blood of
Jesus cleanses us and we are brand new. The Holy Spirit guides us
and helps us as well as using scripture and prayer.
“Then
you will be able to test and approve”:
In
the New Testament, the Greek term used here is used metaphorically to
refer to the testing of individuals, doctrines, or spiritual truths
to discern their authenticity and value. (Strong’s Lexicon)
“GOD’s
will”
= good, perfect, and pleasing- there
is no flaw and is the best and the most fulfilling
V3
Sober judgement:
to
exercise self-control; to put a moderate estimate upon oneself,
think of oneself soberly (Strong’s Lexicon):1Cor. 15:10, Eph.
3:7-13, 4:7-8, 1Peter 4:10
God’s
grace should humble us, should instill in use a mind of lowliness,
not that we are worthless, but that we are not the most important
person or being in all the world
V4-8
We,
as a body, are many parts. Use each gift to the fullest. No gift is
worthless.
Just
because we are not a preacher or teacher, or have some high
visibility gift does not make it less (look back at V3 )
V9-11
Sincere
Love:
Sincere, genuine, without hypocrisy- without pretense or deceit;
with integrity and truthfulness (Strong’s Lexicon)
Hate
Evil:
To abhor, to detest, to utterly hate- the Greek uses the (word)
“apostugeo” - The verb conveys a strong sense of aversion or
repulsion. It is used to describe an intense dislike or hatred
towards something, often with a moral or ethical connotation. In the
New Testament, it is used to express a believer's attitude towards
evil, emphasizing a complete and utter rejection of sin and
unrighteousness. (Strong’s Lexicon)
Devotion
to each other:
Like a family, looking out for each other, discussing differences
with each other, “we may sometimes fight each other back, but we
got each other’s back.”
Honor
others above self:
value others above yourself
Zeal,
Fervor:
In the Greek, this term conveys a sense of intense passion or
eagerness, often in relation to one's faith or spiritual life.
(Strong’s Lexicon)
V12-13
Joyful
Hope:
There should be excitement in what we hope! Not moping or sadness.
Hope for no more pain, Sorrow, if that’s not enough we get to see
and speak and be with GOD.
Patient
in Affliction:
Patience is not just about waiting, it goes hand in hand in faith,
it helps us see further. Afflictions come both physically and
mentally, but it is temporary and many times we can learn in/from
them.
:.
This is not “I pray for what I want at times”; It is to pray
consistently and with the faith/belief/trust/acceptance that it is
“Your will be done” in all things. (Matthew 26: 39 &42)
Practice
Hospitality:
not “try sometimes”, just DO IT. How do we get better at things,
if we don’t practice? This must be a conscious effort, not when
it’s easy, but when it’s hard, when we don’t want to, over and
over again.
V14
Bless
the ones against you: do not ignore, do not just walk off or turn
back. Be a blessing to those who are against you.
Keep
the negative from things: we want to get back, or hope/curse them to
pain. … NO… DO NOT DO THAT
V15
Eccl.
3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for
every activity under the heavens”
It’s
ok to express emotion with others, Jesus wept, felt sad, felt happy.
Jesus did not just ignore the trials of others.
V16
You
are not above others. Rich, poor, college educated, barely passed
high school, or not. We can all learn from each other and must be
united with each other in CHRIST. Jesus associated with anyone
under the sun, if you think you know better than Jesus ... you
better “check yourself, before you wreck yourself.”
V17
Putting
God first leads to us doing right to mankind.
2
Corinthians 8:21 “For
we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the
Lord but also in the eyes of man.”
We
look to do right, so even in the eyes of people, they know (even if
they don’t confess it) it is good. This is not about adjusting
what we do so men see their version of good.
V18
To
be at peace, to live in peace, to keep peace
It
will not always be possible, but you do your best to keep peace
V19
We
do not take revenge. The part here of us taking revenge actually
means: To
avenge, to vindicate, to execute justice.
The part Where God takes control means: Vengeance,
retribution, justice, punishment
Who’s
way is better and righteous? Ours or God’s?
Also,
when we try and prove ourselves right is against pretty much most
things of God. God will prove what is right, it is not in our hands
here, we are just to speak the Truth.
V20
Stay
away from revenge so much that you do the opposite; showing love and
mercy
The
Greek word here "anthrax" refers to a piece of burning
coal or charcoal. In the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to
describe the act of heaping "burning coals" on someone's
head, which is a figure of speech for causing someone to feel
remorse or shame that leads to repentance.
V21
This
ties in to What Jesus did: always giving, healing, and dying for
mankind; though people were trying to trap him, turn against him,
betray him, deny him, and kill him.
It’s
also harder to do the right thing, because it’s usually easier to
just do something wrong to get your point across.
Doing
right is sometimes, heck many times, taken as weakness because it’s
not making the person doing the wrong pay for it. Again, who has the
righteous and better way? Not me for sure.
“Two
wrongs don’t make a right”, evil will be destroyed in the end.
Goodness will conquer and may lead others from evil.
