Romans 12

Chapter 12 enters the practical application portion of Romans. In Romans, Paul spends 3/4th of his focus on doctrine and 1/4th on practical application, why do you think he has chosen to focus so long on doctrine and so little on application?

Rom 12:1-2 NASB Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

  • Verse 1:
    • Therefore I urge you, brethren
      • What tone to you sense from Paul?
    • by the mercies of God (or NIV – in view of God\’s mercy)
      • What is the context of what Paul is going to ask?
      • To what mercies of God do you think Paul is referring?
    • to present your bodies
      • (body, soma – an organized whole made up of parts, members and also literally an individual body)
      • what are we presenting and to whom are we presenting it?
    • as a living and holy sacrifice
      • holy, hagios, set apart, sanctified, consecrated, saint, religious awe
      • living – zo, living, lively and constant sacrifice – (as opposed to the intermittent sacrifices of the OT)
      • How is this different from the Old Testament sacrifice?
    • acceptable to God
      • acceptable, evarestos, also pleasing, well-pleasing.
      • Are there any verses that come to mind when you pray about this verse? (Psa 19:14, Heb 11:14, Romans 10:11-13, Mica 6:6-8, Prov 21:3)
    • Worship – latreia, service for hire, devine service or public ministry.
  • Verse 2:
    • Do not be conformed to this world
      • world, aion, or Age
      • What do you think this means – to not be conformed to this age?
      • How does this apply to us today?
    • but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
      • How does this differ from being conformed to this world
      • transformed, metamorphousthe, the verb tense of be transformed is present, passive, perfect – which translates into “keep on being transformed”. What does this tell you about the process we must to through to keep us out of conformity with the world?
      • Why do you think God allows us to continue in this struggle?
    • so that you may prove what the will if God is, that which is good, and acceptable and perfect.
      • prove, dokimazo, the notion of proving a thing whether it is worthy or not. Psalm 34:8
      • in many translations, the end of the sentence is suggested that the characteristics of God’s will are good, acceptable and perfect. The sentence could be translated “That you may find the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
      • What is required for us to know the test what the will of God is?
      • What will our live produce if we are in the will of God?
      • Are we living this today? If yes, then how? If not, what would the world be like if we did?
      • What does it reveal about God’s character that He would have us participate in determining or ascertaining His will?
      • What does it look like if we are transformed and living in God’s will? Gal 5:16-25

Rom 12:3-6 NASB For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. (4) For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, (5) so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (6) Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:

  • What does Paul mean “in through the grace given to me I say?” (Eph 3:8) How does this demonstrate what he is teaching here?
  • What is the measurement that determines the gifts that we exercise?
  • Where does the faith come from? Where do the gifts come from?

Rom 12:6-21 NASB Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; (7) if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; (8) or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (9) Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. (10) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; (11) not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; (12) rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, (13) contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. (14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (16) Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. (17) Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. (18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (19) Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. (20) “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

  • What does it mean to prophecy: (1Cor 14:3).
  • What do you think Paul means by “according to the proportion of faith?”
  • What is Paul’s point in verses 6-8?
  • Verse 9-10: what does this kind of love look like? (brotherly love – philadelphia)
  • Verses 11-21: how do we do all these things?
  • Verse 20: The coals on the head may refer to a ritual in Egypt in which a person showed his repentance by carrying a pan of burning charcoal on his head. Helping rather than cursing an enemy may cause him to be ashamed and penitent. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

THEME

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

APPLICATION

REFERENCES

Psa 19:14 NASB Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Heb 11:4 NASB By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.

Rom 10:11-13 NASB For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; (13) for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

Mic 6:6-8 NASB With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? (7) Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? (8) He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

Pro 21:3 NASB To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.

Psa 34:8 NASB O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Gal 5:16-25 NASB But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (17) For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. (19) Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, (21) envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (24) Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (25) If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

1Co 14:3 NASB But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.

Pro 25:21-22 NASB If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; (22) For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you.