Romans 12

Romans 12:1

Having thus largely represented unto you the exceeding riches of God’s mercy and grace, in the election, justification, sanctification, and other blessings, which are granted to you who are in Christ, let me affectionately and earnestly beseech you by them, and by all the endearments, encouragements, obligations, and assistances, which result from them, solemnly, cordially, and unreservedly, to devote your whole selves, soul and body, not as an atoning, but as a living sacrifice of thankful acknowledgment—that ye are the Lord’s, quickened by his Spirit, and vigorously determined through your whole life to serve and glorify him;—and purified from your sinful lusts, that by faith and evangelical obedience ye may serve him in a spiritual, reasonable, and acceptable manner, answerable to his nature and the obligations ye are under to him

Romans 12:2

And in order to this, beware of forming worldly schemes of happiness, or of complying with, or being moulded into, the spirit and temper, courses and fashions, of carnal and worldly men; but let your chief aims and endeavours be to become more and more inwardly renewed by the Holy Ghost, that ye may be more capable of understanding, practising, and recommending the excellent and important truths of God contained in his word

Romans 12:3

And in order to your understanding this perfect will of God with advantage to yourselves and 4 others, I, as an apostle of Jesus Christ, do, in his name, charge you that no one of you be ruffled up with self-conceit, or contempt of others, by any distinguishing gifts or offices which he hath received in the church, nor entertain an higher opinion of his own gifts, graces, or usefulness, than his spiritual and holy endowments admit of: but that ye be all humble and modest in your thoughts of yourselves, remembering that whatever gifts, graces, or offices ye enjoy, have been freely bestowed upon you by God for the edification of others as well as yourselves. 4, 5. For, as in the human body all the different members are so framed and placed that each may promote the good of the whole body, so we believers, who are united to Christ as his mystical body, and animated by his Spirit, ought all of us, in our different stations and endowments, to consider ourselves as closely knit together by one Spirit under him as our Head, and lay out ourselves to promote the general good of the church and of one another

Romans 12:6-8

Having therefore received spiritual gifts in different forms and degrees, let us, by the assistance of God, faithfully use and improve them for his glory, and the edification of his church, according to our respective offices and stations. If we are called to preach the gospel, and explain the scriptures, let us do it according to the common principles of faith, clearly exhibited in the word of God. If we are called to state, explain, prove, and defend, divine truths, and instruct and establish our hearers in them, let us, by searching the scriptures, and comparing one passage with another, labour to manifest the truth as it is in Jesus with all possible plainness and faithfulness. If we are called to apply the word of God to men’s consciences, in exhortation to duty, reproof for sin, caution against sin or danger, or in comforting men under doubts, fears, discouragements, infirmities, temptations or troubles, let us with tender sympathy and dependence on God’s direction, deal with them in a manner suited to their circumstances.—If we are called to the office of deacons, for collecting, taking care of, and distributing, the church’s stock for the support of the poor, the ministers and ordinances of Christ, let us act with the utmost prudence and faithfulness, frugality, cheerful liberality, impartiality, and diligence, as occasions require. If we are called to the office of ruling elders, for inspecting the manners of the people, admitting them to sealing ordinances, censuring them when scandalous, and directing the circumstances of public worship, let us attend to this work with the greatest application, thoughtfulness, and diligence. And, if we are called to visit the sick and imprisoned, let us attend to it with the utmost kindness and compassion, taking care that none of them want what is needful and convenient for them.—9 As to general duties, incumbent on you as private Christians, be most careful sincerely, ardently, and practically, to love Christ, and God in him, above every thing else, and your fellow Christians and neighbours in an unfeigned, hearty, and operative, manner. Abhor, flee from, and mourn over, every thing sinful, as the very worst and the sum of all evil; but desire, choose, pursue after, adhere to, and practise in heart, speech, and behaviour, whatever is truly honourable to God or useful to yourselves and others

Romans 12:10

Let not only your mutual affection to your brethren be extremely cordial, tender, and ardent, but also respectful; and think and speak more honourably of your brethren’s graces and services than of your own, concealing their weaknesses and faults, instead of magnifying and exposing them; being conscious of your own weakness and sinfulness, though earnestly careful to do the duties of your station

Romans 12:11

Always beware of, and avoid, an indolent and careless temper and behaviour, whether in civil or religious affairs; and engage in every work ye are called to under the influence of the Holy Ghost, and with a fervent love to God, zeal for his glory, and always aiming to serve the Lord Christ, in obedience to his command and for his honour

Romans 12:12

And, to animate you in your work, always cherish the most joyful hopes of complete salvation, as your gracious reward and eternal rest. And, in these views and hopes, be constantly patient, submissive, and resigned, to the will of God in all your present provocations, trials, and afflictions, and sustain them with an abiding and holy courage. And, as nothing can be done without divine direction and help, be earnest, importunate, and persevering in your prayers to God, with faith in the name 132 147* of Christ, for the necessary supplies and aids of his Spirit

Romans 12:13

Yea, that there may be no defect in your Christian love to others, always make conscience of readily communicating your property for the relief of your fellow professors, and of laying out yourselves kindly to entertain and lodge in your houses poor strangers, or persecuted ministers and Christians

Romans 12:14

And, if ye be maliciously abused and persecuted for righteousness’ sake, instead of returning the injuries done you, speak civilly to and as well of your persecutors as truth will permit; heartily wish, pray for, and study to promote, their real happiness, temporal, spiritual, and eternal: and supplicate God to convince, forgive, and reform them

Romans 12:15

Always study a most affectionate and sympathizing temper towards your neighbours and fellow Christians, as being of the same nature or spirit with them. Instead of envying any their happiness, temporal or spiritual, rejoice with them in it, after the example of God. If any be afflicted, labour, by compassionate sympathy to soften and mitigate their distress; and do all that is in your power, by prayer, counsel, and otherwise, to comfort and assist them; for ye might have been, or soon may be, in such distressed circumstances yourselves

Romans 12:16

Whatever differences there may be among you as to less important opinions, outward circumstances, or inward attainments, study to live harmoniously, affectionately, and charitably, with one another. Never affect pre-eminence over others, but treat inferiors with the most condescending kindness. Never aspire after great things in this world, but rather look on them with an holy indifference and disdain. If providence bring you into straits, labour to bring down your minds to them. If it raise you up to temporal wealth or dignity, never act your heart upon, or be puffed up with, it. Always carry yourselves with the greatest affability, courteousness, and freedom, to persons of the lowest rank; and never be ashamed of any proper office of brotherly kindness to the most poor or despicable saint on earth. And whatever honours or endowments God may grant you, never think yourselves wiser than others or capable of managing your affairs without the direction or counsels of God or men

Romans 12:17

If any shall injure you, never imitate their evil example nor make yourselves partakers of their guilt, by revengefully doing any thing passionate, unjust, or hurtful, to them; but always labour to contrive and pursue such methods, or procure such things, as are manifestly good, generous, and honourable, not only in the sight of God, but of all the unprejudiced part of mankind, that the worst of your enemies may never be able to uphold you with doing any thing unworthy or indecent

Romans 12:18

And, however difficult it may be in some cases, labour, as far as is consistent with truth and faithfulness, honour and conscience, to cultivate a peaceable and quiet temper and carriage in all your dealings with persons of all ranks, professions, and characters, since on this the beauty, order, and happiness, of society, civil or sacred, your own comfort, and the credit of religion, so much depend

Romans 12:19

And, since it is the supreme right and prerogative of God himself to inflict just punishments on such as deserve them, either by his own immediate judgments, or by the equitable laws of civil government, never take any private revenge for yourselves upon such as have injured you, nor even prosecute them at law, from a litigious and resentful temper of spirit; but rather endeavour to turn away their wrath by soft answers and a yielding conduct, or retire out of the way of their violence; and, if they will continue their rage against you, calmly leave them to the righteous judgment of God

Romans 12:20

Yea, if any, who have injured, abused, and persecuted you, be reduced to afflicted and necessitous circumstances, carefully seize the opportunity, and assist and relieve them to the utmost of your power; for by such kind and merciful conduct you will either mollify their spirit, and render them your penitent and fast friends; or, if they remain obstinately ungrateful and perverse, they will but aggravate their guilt, and bring upon themselves the most lasting, terrible, and destructive judgments of God

Romans 12:21

Upon the whole, let no ill treatment discompose your spirit, inflame your angry, malicious, and impatient, passions, and so enslave your mind and give your adversaries opportunity of triumphing over you; but labour, by the grace of God, to exercise all meekness, kindness, and forbearance, under the highest provoc- 12 K tions, and thus overcome your enemies and your own resentments, by returning good for evil

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XII.—God’s endearing mercies should powerfully promote our grateful dedication of ourselves to him and his service. And it becomes professed Christians to have their hearts weaned from the profits, pleasures, and cares of this present world, and from its sinful practices and customs, and to labour after a thorough conformity to the image of God, and an experimental, practical, and approving, acquaintance with every thing good. It is very honourable when, amidst great gifts, graces, and services, we keep up humble thoughts of ourselves and an high esteem of others, and account whatever we have as freely bestowed on us for the good of the church. Great is the kindness of Christ in so plentifully providing gifts, graces, offices, and officers, for the edification of souls. And it is delightful when all, with integrity, diligence, and cheerfulness, are employed for that end. O what undissembled and ardent love to God and men; what hatred of every thing evil; what diligence in our callings; what joyful hope of eternal happiness; what patient resignation; what fervent and persevering prayer; what cheerful liberality; what profound humility; what cordial sympathy; what harmonious concord and peacefulness; what disinterested returning of good for evil; is necessary to enter into the character of a Christian! and great is the grace and power of God which is necessary to work all these in our heart and life