Paul's Epistle to the Romans — page 44

Having the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ as our focus, it clarifies many things about discerning the will of God for our lives. With a renewed mind, we will soon discern (perceive) what the Lord wants us to do for Him in His service. Therefore, Paul adds: “so that you may prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God”. As mentioned, God has a specific plan for the life of every believer, for the glorification of the Lord Jesus. Since no two Christians are alike, no two life plans are identical. This is because we all have a different place to occupy in the body of Christ, as Paul shows in verses 4-8. The main point here is that we all have something to do for Him (Mark 13:34), and the goal is the same for all people – to glorify the Lord Jesus.

Let us note that Paul does not say we should know, but rather that we should “prove” the will of God in our lives. To prove includes knowing, but goes beyond that by engaging in the actual experience of doing His will. And so, we prove by experience that it is indeed “good, acceptable, and perfect”. By experiencing it, we discover that it is as good as God says it is. Indeed, it is a joy to do His will (Ps 40:8). It seems everyone wants to know the will of God, but that may be mere curiosity. God generally does not reveal His will to such people; the knowledge of His will is given first to those who are committed to doing His will. The Lord taught this to His disciples: “If anyone wants to do His will, he will know concerning the doctrine” (John 7:17 – ARA). He did not say: “If anyone wants to know His will...”. Therefore, there must be a predisposition of commitment on our part. When God sees that we are taking it seriously, He will show us His will.

HUMILITY (v. 3)

Having discovered that what we believe is the will of God for our lives in the Lord's service, we need to be careful about something that can unconsciously catch us by surprise – self-importance (pride). Thus, Paul says that “each one” should be careful “not to think more highly than he ought to think”. This shows us that there is a real need for humility in carrying out our service to the Lord. When we consider that God would like to use us to promote the glory of His Son in this world, it should humble us – not exalt us with self-importance. Such is the normal effect of God's grace touching hearts (2 Sam 9:8; Eph 3:8).

As mentioned, humility is very important in the Lord's service. If we are truly humble, we will not want to serve in a way that draws attention to ourselves. We can have inflated ideas about our importance and that will spoil our effectiveness. Pride can deceive us and lead us to imagine that we have been called to do something in the Lord's service for which we have not been called. Paul, therefore, says that we need to think “soberly” [so as to be wise – JND]”. The lesson here is: let us not try to be something we are not. Haughty thoughts about oneself is really worldliness, which we are commanded to shun. We need to have the spirit of David, who said: “LORD, my heart is not lifted up, nor are my eyes raised: I do not exercise myself in great matters, nor in things too high for me” (Ps 131:1). Apparently, this was written after his brother (Eliab) accused him of proudly trying to get involved in the fight against Goliath and the Philistines (1 Sam 17:28).

CONSECRATION (vs. 4-8)

Having discerned what we believe to be the will of God regarding our service to the Lord, this should lead us to dedicate ourselves to that work. This is consecration. Consecration means “to fill the hands” (Ex 32:29 – KJV margin; 1 Kings 13:33). A consecrated Christian is one who has his hands full (who is busy) in the Lord's service.

If our hands are full, we will have no room for other things. This is illustrated in the consecration of the priests in the Old Testament. In Exodus 29, after the sons of Aaron were washed with “water” (v. 4), sprinkled with “blood” (v. 20) and anointed with “oil” (v. 21), Moses filled their hands with ten things that typify Christ in various ways (vs. 22-24). If we could see those priests standing that day with those ten things in their hands, we would immediately understand that they would have no room for anything else in them. That is how it should be with us in the Lord's service! A consecrated Christian simply has no room for strange things in his life.

In verses 4-8, the apostle shows that, just as each part of a human body has a different “operation”, so also each member of the body of Christ. He says: “For just as in one body [human] we have many members [of that human body ], and not all members have the same operation. So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, but individually members one of another”. This shows that we all have a place to occupy and something to do in the body of Christ. God has given a special “grace” to each member of the body to occupy the place in which he was placed (Rom 12:6; Eph 4:7). God has also given “gifts” to the members of the body to help them serve effectively in their place.

Some will tell us that they do not have a gift, but that is not true, because the Bible teaches that we all have received a gift (1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Pet. 4:10). Perhaps not all of us have the gift for the public ministry of the Word – and that is probably what people mean when they say they do not have a gift – but we all have some kind of gift. Often it is not apparent what our gift is, and that may be because we do not devote ourselves to the Lord as we should. Mr. Darby said that if there were more devotion (dedication) among the saints, there would be more evident gifts. He was not suggesting that gifts come through devotion, but that when a person dedicates himself seriously to the Lord, his gift will be developed and will become distinctly recognizable.

Different Forms of Service

Vs. 6-8 – Paul goes on to give some examples of the things we may be called to do. He mentions seven services, but it is by no means a complete list. He says: “if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teaches, on teaching; or he that exhorts, on exhortation; he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (ARA). Note: not all of these services belong to the public ministry of the Word; some are private in nature. The first four have to do with the public ministry, while the last three are more private. This shows that the Lord does not call everyone to be preachers or teachers. Regardless of the service we are to do in the body of Christ, Paul's exhortation to each one is: “let us be occupied with the service” (v. 7 – JND). God has given us “faith” (v. 3) and “grace” (v. 6) to enable us to carry out our service.

“Prophecy” is ministering from the Scriptures on certain topics or questions with which the saints may be confronted at a given time. This ministry is prophetic in the sense that it conveys the mind of God for the moment. It is revealing the mind of God on a subject, rather than predicting something that will happen, which is the kind of prophecy the Old Testament prophets brought. Some New Testament prophets also prophesied in that manner (Acts 11:27-30, 20:29-31, 21:10-11, etc.)

The prophecy Paul speaks of here could be oral or written and should be done, as he says, according to the “proportion of faith” (ARA). that the individual has, not according to the desire of others. This shows that we need to be careful when encouraging a person for the ministry of the Word. He may not have faith for it, and that can lead to disaster.

We want to encourage a person who has that gift, but not force him beyond what he has faith to do. Paul defines this kind of prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14:3 as “edification, exhortation and consolation”.

• Edification gives growth to the saints.

• Exhortation awakens the saints.

• Consolation encourages the saints.

“Ministry [service]” is very broad in its application. It would include the public ministry of the Word, but would not be limited to it (Acts 6:4, 13:1-2, 19:22; 1 Pet. 4:11). Any kind of service we do for the Lord in natural or temporal things can be included in it (Matt. 10:41-42; Acts 13:5; 1 Tim. 3:10). It has nothing to do with a man or a woman occupying the man-made position of a clergyman (called pastor or minister) in a Christian congregation.

“Teaching” has to do with expounding the Scripture in its proper scope and meaning – and done in an orderly way so that those who hear it, or read it, understand the truth.

“Exhortation” is a spiritual ministry of the Word of God that emphasizes some great truth in a practical way. It is more specific than the exhortation mentioned in prophecy.

Contributing has to do with whoever is willing to sacrifice his time or money in the Lord's service in some way. The giver should not give in a way that calls attention to what he is doing (Matt. 6:1-3). This avoids stirring up covetousness in people who might be inclined to please the giver (Isa. 1:23). It is to be done in “liberality [simplicity – ARC]” – that is, without hidden motives hoping to get a return from the people to whom the offerings are given (Luke 6:34-35).

Presiding is leading and organizing things in connection with the practical arrangements of the assembly. A leader in this sense is not necessarily gifted to preach or teach. This should be done with “diligence”.

Exercising mercy is a special gift of expressing solidarity and comfort. A person with this gift can be seen making hospital visits and things of that sort. We should all have a heart for the afflicted, but some have a special gift for comforting people who are afflicted. This work should be done with “cheerfulness” because that is exactly what people in affliction need, since they usually feel abandoned.

Note also: each gift is for serving in the sphere of that gift. If a person has a gift for teaching, he should occupy himself with teaching. If a person has a gift for exhorting, he should occupy himself with exhortation, etc. Much confusion can arise from someone trying to serve in a function for which he was not prepared. For example, an evangelist – who may not be known for his precision in doctrine – trying to take on the role of a teacher will certainly bring confusion to a Bible study. We can be warned by what happened to King Uzziah, who exalted himself in pride and self-importance. He was not satisfied with his role in Israel as king; he also wanted to be a priest! But this, as we know, was something for which he had not been called, nor prepared to be – and the Lord struck him with leprosy when he tried to do the work of a priest (2 Chron. 26:16-21).

PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS

TOWARD FELLOW BELIEVERS Chapter 12:9-12

The demonstration of practical righteousness in the believer's life must be seen in his interactions with his brothers and sisters. What follows are fifteen small precepts that should regulate our relations with one another within the Christian community. It is significant that love is placed first, since its influence and activity affect each of the things that follow. Note how many times the gerund suffix is used in these verses – “preferring, serving, rejoicing, persevering, distributing, pursuing, going” (JND) etc. This indicates that these things should be a continual practice in our Christian lives.

LOVE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY (v. 9a) – Love must permeate the fellowship of the saints. It is sad to say that it is possible to feign love, and Paul here warns against it. H. Smith points out that Judas kissed his Master while betraying Him! See also Ezekiel 33:31. That is why Paul's exhortation is necessary, that “love be without hypocrisy” (1 Pet. 1:22).

ABHOR WHAT IS EVIL (v. 9b) – Since this anger against evil is mentioned in contrast to loving one another without hypocrisy, it seems that the aspect of evil that we are exhorted to abhor here is the spirit of hatred against our brothers and sisters.

CLING TO WHAT IS GOOD (v. 9c) – We need to be careful to cling to things that are good and wholesome.

AFFECTIONATELY DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER (v. 10a – TB) – This exhortation shows that there should be not only divine love (agape) among the saints (v. 9a), but also “brotherly love” (phileo) (2 Pet. 1:7). Brotherly love expresses itself affectionately and with a warm feeling. It is not this kind of love that Scripture tells us to have toward the lost. We should love the people of the world with an agape love (1 Thess. 3:12), which is a love based on an established disposition of care and concern for its object. This would lead us to reach them with the gospel. However, we are not told to love the lost with brotherly love (phileo), because we can become emotionally involved in their lives and inadvertently be drawn into their lifestyle, whereby we would compromise principles.

HONOR ONE ANOTHER (v. 10b) – We should be glad to see others honored, rather than desiring honor for ourselves (Phil. 2:3).

ZEAL IN SERVING THE LORD (v. 11) – The King James Version says: “Not slothful in business”, and this has led some to think that Paul was referring to secular business. (The word “business” actually has nothing to do with the verse.) It should be translated: “As to diligent zeal, not slothful; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (JND). This is an exhortation to serve the Lord with commitment and energy, because it is possible to become negligent in the Lord's work. Archippus is an example of this. Paul said: “And say to Archippus: Take heed to the ministry which you received in the Lord, that you fulfill it” (Col. 4:17). Jeremiah warned: “Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord fraudulently” [negligently – JND]” (Jer. 48:10).

REJOICING IN HOPE (v. 12a – ARA) – The next three exhortations are particularly related to the believer's wilderness journey. Our hope (a deferred certainty) of the coming glory should be constantly before us. It will lift us above the trials and discouragements of the present days, and will make us rejoicing Christians.

PATIENT IN TRIBULATION (v. 12b) – Our anticipation of the coming glory will also sustain us on the path of faith and enable us to be patient in trials.

PERSEVERING IN PRAYER (v. 12c) – The trials and difficulties of the path should cast us upon the Lord in dependence. Since the tendency is to give up praying, Paul's exhortation is to persevere firmly in this priestly function.

GENEROUS (v. 13a) – The next two exhortations concern the needs of the Lord's people. Thus, we are exhorted to be liberal with our possessions, giving to the needy (Acts 20:34). This is a good way to show people that we truly care about them.

HOSPITABLE (v. 13b) – Paul says: “given [pursue] hospitality” (JND). The word for “given” in Greek can be translated as “pursue”. This means that we should actively look for opportunities to show hospitality to our brothers and sisters. Small homes are sometimes used as an excuse for not receiving visitors into our houses, but this should not prevent us from doing this service (Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9).

DO NOT CURSE (v. 14) – We must endure persecution and repay all animosity against us with courtesy and love (Luke 6:28). We must be careful not to curse. The Lord taught that in all these circumstances we should “turn the other cheek” and be careful not to curse (Matt. 5:39).

HAVE EMPATHY (v. 15) – God wants us to enter into the joys and sorrows of His people, and to feel what they feel. Attending a wedding would be an example of “Rejoice with those who rejoice”. Attending a funeral would be an example of “weep with those who weep”.

IMPARTIALITY (v. 16a) – We should have the same respect for a poor brother as we would have for a rich person of high social standing. We should be glad to “accommodate ourselves to the humble”.

HUMILITY (v. 16b) – We should judge all tendencies toward self-importance. Paul says: “do not be wise in your own estimation”. Behaving with an air of self-importance will certainly affect the fellowship of Christians negatively. Humility is the secret of happy fellowship, but seeking a high place among the brothers and sisters stirs up rivalry that divides the saints.

PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS

TOWARD THOSE OUTSIDE THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

Ch. 12:17-21 – Paul's exhortations expand in the last part of the chapter, focusing on our interactions with those who are outside the Christian profession.

1. 17 – As Christians, we should be careful to maintain a good

testimony before “those who are outside” (Mark 4:11; Col. 4:5; 1 Tim. 3:7). This is not easy because the world opposes Christianity and those of the world are inclined to criticize Christians. Since persecution is inevitable (John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12), the believer will feel the weight of the world's animosity and may be tempted to retaliate. But Paul says: “Repay no one evil for evil”. If we retaliate, we will certainly offend in some way, and the ministry will be censured (2 Cor. 6:3).

Furthermore, we should be careful in our secular matters so that our business may be “honest in the sight of all men”. If the world finds a stain on our clothes,” so to speak (Eccl. 9:8)

• that is, some failure or fault that they can criticize, they will use it to

justify their unbelief.

Vs. 18-21 – Therefore, Paul says: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men”. This shows that we should go quietly about our Christian life. We should pray to that end – “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1 Tim. 2:2). As far as possible – that is, without compromising principles – we should live in “peace with all” in this world. If the people of the world direct their animosity against us, we should resist the tendency to retaliate. Naturally, we would like to avenge a wrong done to us, but the Lord has not charged us with this. Our place is to maintain a Christian spirit and wait for the Lord to work with that person. Paul quotes Psalm 94:1 to show that vengeance belongs to the Lord and, therefore, we should leave with Him the injustices done to us, which He will deal with in His time and in His way.

Instead of retaliating, we should try to dispel animosity through acts of kindness. Paul says: “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink”. He says: “for in doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head”. This is figurative language taken from Proverbs 25:21-22. “Fire” is a symbol of judgment – in this case, self-judgment. The “head” is the place of a person's thoughts. Thus, repeated acts of kindness toward those who do not like us will eventually reach their hearts and consciences, and they will change their minds about us. This shows that practical Christianity goes beyond non-resistance to active benevolence.

Paul warns us “Do not be overcome by evil”, which is to allow ourselves to be affected by those who mistreat us and to deal with it in the flesh. J. G. Bellett said: “If my bad temper puts you in a bad temper, you have been overcome by evil” (Present Testimony, vol. 15, p. 66; Notes from Meditations on Luke, p. 42). Instead, Paul says: “but overcome evil with good” – with acts of kindness.

PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS