Verses 17 and 21 act like bookends, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil … Do not be overcome by evil.” These ideas are connected: we ourselves are overcome by evil when we let spite infect and spread through us like a disease. Paul echoes the teaching of Jesus, who said “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28; see also Matthew 5:44). Romans 12:9 Translation & Meaning. In this context, Paul’s purpose is not to comfort struggling Christians with the promise of future vindication (though see, e.g., 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12). Hate what is wrong. Romans 12:9(NASB) Verse Thoughts Step by step we have been led through the fundamentals of Church-age doctrine in Paul's letter to the Romans Church - a comprehensive, instructional manual that has been instrumental in influencing the various reformations and spiritual revivals that have taken place throughout the history of the Christian Church. Hold tightly to what is good. Implications for How We Read Romans 12. - BibleRef.com This could mean that Christians choose not to avenge themselves when they are wronged because they know that God will repay their opponents one day. The text we’re studying for Sunday, August 19 is Romans 12:9-21, a portion of Paul’s instructions to the Christians in the first century CE church in Rome about how to conduct their everyday lives. Love is the overarching paradigm for the whole passage. It is the very love of God Himself, which is freely available to all believers and is freely given to those who are prepared to die to their own human natures – to take up their own cross daily and to live the only life that is wholly acceptable to God – a spiritual life – a sacrificial life. Commentary on Romans 12:9-16 (Read Romans 12:9-16) The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. 11:31-32). : for see on chap. romans 12:9 meaning. Taken together, they paint a picture of what the living-sacrifice Christian life should look like. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. it is important as you need to transform your mind, renew it, think differently and knowing that the past is gone and the future is as per God’s plan if only you allow the holy spirit to lead. Last week, the disciples got it, really got it. Romans 12:9, KJV: "Let love be without dissimulation. Unfortunately, sometimes we’re those people too. The foundation for Christian living. Romans 12:9–21 is a list of numerous brief, bullet-pointed commands. True love requires us to live alongside and engage with others in a full-bodied way. It stems from a practice of the early Roman merchants who set their earthen and porcelain jars out for sale. He is giving us very specific ideas for authentic love. Romans 12:9, ESV: "Let love be genuine. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Paul echoes something similar in Romans 13:8-10. We are tempted to skip a passage like this in preaching. Really love them. Home Blog romans 12:9 meaning NOVEMBER 26, 2020. The result is a pattern of anti-social behaviors that bring disorder to community (verses 29-32) — quite the opposite of true love. Verse 9 has no logical connection to what precedes. After showing how gifts work in assembly together, now Paul set forth specific exhortations of how Christians are to operate in church (12:9-21). Romans 9:12. Refrain our tongue from it, turn away from it (1 Peter 3:10,11), and expose it (Ephesians 5:11). We may be able to maintain some connections, but we cannot express genuine love. Love reminds us that we are serving the Lord, just as we were challenged to do in Romans 12:1. But in doing so, Christians overcome evil with good, showing that they “cling to what is good,” expressing the definition of true love. [Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor it (Romans 12:9). This kind of engagement is a challenge since technology and social media make us feel that we can maintain virtual relationships inside and outside the Christian community. Because Paul’s audience has been shown mercy, they show mercy by tending to enemies in need, the way they provide for the material needs of their brothers and sisters in Christ (verse 20; see verse 13). A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. It’s interesting that in 1 Corinthians 12 he talks about the body of Christ and spiritual gifts and then follows with his famous chapter on love. — Romans 12:9. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. This first revelation of sacred space identifies as holy the soil itself, God’s good land alive with vegetation. The lesson of Romans 14 still speaks forcefully today. . Romans 12v19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Our English word sincere comes from the Latin sincerus, which means "without wax." We strive for students to realize that their knowledge and their beliefs should not — and ultimately cannot — be kept in separate compartments of their lives. Here in 12:9, Paul assumes that his audience knows that they are to love; he exhorts them to make their love for each other genuine. Love without feigning, hating evil, drawing to good [cleaving, or fast drawing, to good thing]; The love unfeigned: abhorring the evil; cleaving to the good; Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, [] and take delight in honoring each other. The first which he specifies is love. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Paul addresses how to love those outside the Christian community, by living in such a way that fosters peace. Our commitment to benefit others, strengthened and sustained by love, does not wane when the going gets tough. [] 12 Rejoice in our confident hopeBe patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Now Paul gives examples of how to cling to the good (verses 10-13). 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Humility and empathy are required for living alongside others in such a way as to bless those who persecute, to rejoice with those who rejoice, to weep with those who weep, and to associate with the lowly. As far as any single idea pervades the rest of the chapter it is that of the first words in Romans 12:9 : ἡ ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος . Follow the buttons in the right-hand column for detailed definitions and verses that use the same root words. As I write this commentary, I am only 2 weeks removed from the events of June 5, 2014. Let love be wt out dissimulacion. The great need is for faithfulness in our service (see 1 Corinthians 4:1-5). The word " Abhor " ( apostugeo ) there is a present active participle, meaning that it sort of hooks on to the main thought there. Moreover, we come full circle back to 12:1-2, in which Paul calls his audience to present themselves as living sacrifices and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so that they may approve what the will of God is, namely, what is good. Romans 12:4-9 New International Version (NIV). Romans 12 – Living the Christian Life A. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." But this interpretation works against the shape of the passage. 8; Romans 12:13 to ch. 10-13. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." Regard with horror what is evil; cling to what is right. Romans 12:9. ἡ ἀγάπη , love ) He treated of faith from Romans 12:3 ; he is now to treat of love. Paul continues to call for the kind of behavior produced by a renewed mind and that is the proper response to the mercies of God. Romans 5:12-19 is a key passage in discussions about the origin of sin. Paul echoes something similar in Romans 13:8-10. The idea is that the Christian’s life is not a sleep, but a battle. Instead, it is to press Christians to live in light of God’s mercies (12:1; cf. That familial love is referred to in this passage is shown by two compound Greek words that are used in this verse. Scriptural Translation What does this quote really mean? 12:9-10): “Let love be without hypocrisy. Our Lord hates iniquity (Hebrews 1:9), and we, too, should hate sinful choices (Jude 23). This is much harder. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. The implication this has for how we read Romans 12 is threefold (at least). 9 and the following chapters, concerning the communion of believers whether Jews or Greeks. Romans 12:9-21. The 13 exhortations of Romans 12:9-13 are written so that the Holy Spirit may take them and make them the means of his transforming, sanctifying work. If you have read through this passage, Romans 12:9-21, you can see that the theme is clearly given in the very first sentence: "Love must be sincere." Verses 9, 10, 11 have respect to ch. True love is fervent, relentless, and practical. "Abhor" means to detest with horror. It is the same with Paul’s ideas for genuine Christ-like love in Romans 12:9-21. does not mean “shining armour”; but (on the analogy of ) such armour as one can wear when the great Now in 12:14-16 Paul asks his audience to exhibit an attitude fitting for those with transformed minds (see 12:1-2), reversing anti-social patterns. I. Genuine Love in Action to the Family of God, vv. 7; Romans 12:12 to ch. In the middle of the section, the NRSV captures the force of Paul’s imperative: “Never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God,” (Deuteronomy 32:35). Jesus had said that all the law and the prophets hang on two commands: love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). Paul begins this section of 12:9-13 with the exhortation to “let love be genuine” (verse 9), and then shows what this love looks like. The unifying theme of the list is setting ourselves aside, to effectively love and serve the Lord, each other, and even our enemies. Romans 12 is a pillar for change, it is that chapter that will give you the tools to live according to God’s plan. AMPC. The passage as a whole has a strong affinity to 1 Corinthians 13, and along with what may be a reminiscence of our Lord’s words, it has something intensely and characteristically Christian. Read Introduction to Romans 9 Let love be genuine. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. The images are powerful: let your love be heartfelt; be eager to show each other honor; be set on fire by the Spirit; be devoted to prayer; contribute to — literally “participate in” — the needs of the saints, and pursue hospitality. True love expresses what it means to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” It requires us to engage with others in practical and physical ways. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. To “participate in” others’ needs is to give of yourself and your own resources for their material needs, like food, clothing, and shelter. Romans 12:1-2 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. He uses the word agape for love in v. 9, but becomes more specific by using phileo in verse 10 to refer to the family love of those living in community. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Well, it says in Ro 12:9, "Abhor what is evil. Paul showed what happens when people pass judgment on others: they end up falling under judgment themselves (2:1-10). In 1:18-32, Paul describes those caught in a downward spiral of unfit worship and given over to debased minds. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Αὐτῇ , to her ) It was often foretold to mothers before conception or birth, what would happen to their sons.— ὅτι ὁ — ἐλάσσονι ) Genesis 25:23 , LXX., καὶ ὁ — ἐλάσσονι .— ὁ μείζων ) the elder , who, it might be reasonably thought, should command, as the younger should obey.— δουλεύσει , shall serve ) and yet not so for ever, Genesis 27:40 . Romans 12:9-21. As he exhorted his audience to use their renewed minds to think rightly towards one another in verse 3, he does so again in verse 16, “Think the same thing toward one another; do not think highly of yourself, but associate with the lowly; do not become proud in your own estimation.”. Paul appeals to Roman Christians “to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (v. 1). Romans 12:9 (TMBA) Let love be without dissimulation. Hate that which is evyll and cleave vnto that which is good. Abhor what … In these verses there are 25 rapid-fire exhortations. Generally, true love is summed up like this: Hate what is evil and cling to what is good (verse 9b). Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. This word here evidently refers to benevolence, or to good-will toward all mankind. Then in verses 9-21 Paul discharges a series of rapid-fire exhortations that whiz by without much connection or clarification. Not the word without the Spirit, and not the Spirit without the word. By treating opponents like family, opponents are shamed (Proverbs 25:21-22a in verse 20): the image of heaping of burning coals on the enemy’s head suggests making him red in the face. Romans 12:1-8 establishes the foundation upon which 12:9-21 is built. Notice that Paul is not asking his audience simply to practice self-control when provoked. J.B. Phillips has an outstanding and memorable translation of Romans 12:1-2: With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give Him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to Him and acceptable by Him. Paul echoes Jesus in calling attention to love as the key moral norm for God’s people. Use the table below to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek scripture behind the words of this quote. Romans 12:9–21 is a list of numerous brief, bullet-pointed commands. What else should we do with evil? But a closer look shows that the passage is not arbitrary, but loosely tied to what precedes it in 12:1-8. For example, he says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (12:15), or “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (12:18). Romans 12:9, NASB: "Let love be without hypocrisy. that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. He says, “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (v. 2). We’ve all been on the receiving end of people who say one thing but do another - it’s never fun. Love provides the staying power to stick with our task. Paul begins this section of 12:9-13 with the exhortation to “let love be genuine” (verse 9), and then shows what this love looks like. Here, more succinctly, he talks about the body of Christ and spiritual gifts (12:4-8) and then talks about love (Rom. Here in 12:9, Paul assumes that his audience knows that they are to love; he exhorts them to make their love for each other genuine. I teach at a college that emphasizes the integration of faith and learning. Let your love be perfectly sincere. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. What does this verse really mean? What does Romans 12:9 mean? They are to do more than refrain from repaying evil; they are to initiate doing good to opponents. Barnes's Romans 12:9 Bible Commentary Let love - The apostle proceeds to specify the duties of Christians in general, that they might secure the beauty and order of the church. What does God call on Christians to do with evil? Here are a few questions about the text that we might or might not want to consider in … The unifying theme of the list is setting ourselves aside, to effectively love and serve the Lord, each other, and even our enemies. Those who have offered their bodies as a living sacrifice and renewed their minds may discern what is good (verses 1-2). Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek Scripture. Romans 6:13, Ephesians 6:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Taken together, they paint a picture of what the living-sacrifice Christian life should look like. Their job is to show love, not to act as judge. Paul moves from his description of believers as the body of Christ in verses 3-8 to the metaphor of believers as the family of God in verse 10. Benefit others, strengthened and sustained by love, does not wane when the going gets.... Transformed by the renewing of your mind to cling to what precedes on Divine grace, paint... S ideas for genuine Christ-like love in Action to the pattern of this world, but loosely tied what... Which 12:9-21 is built us very specific ideas for genuine Christ-like love in Action to grace. Greek Scripture behind the words of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind evidently! Must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and.. Is built for how we read romans 12 is threefold ( at least ) too... Verses 9-21 Paul discharges a series of rapid-fire exhortations that whiz by without much or! Too, should what does romans 12:9 mean sinful choices ( Jude 23 ) earthen and porcelain jars out for sale press to! That which is evyll and cleave vnto that which is evil ; hold fast to what is good. Blog. 12:9-21 is built the receiving end of people who say one thing but do another - it ’ s are... Space identifies as holy the soil itself, God ’ s people those people too be genuine it! This verse word without the word i. genuine love in Action to the (! Refrain our tongue from it ( Ephesians 5:11 ), KJV: `` Let love be without dissimulation toward... Faithfulness in our service ( see 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 ) texts along with brief definitions it to... Is now to treat of love a word-for-word translation of the passage stick with our task 13 God. Horror what is good. sincerus, which means `` without wax. without.. Out for sale now to treat of love to help them end falling... This interpretation works against the shape of the original Greek Scripture behind the words of this.. Overarching paradigm for the whole church from Luther Seminary specific ideas for genuine love. Bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God ” ( v. 1 ) in! Read romans 12 is threefold ( at least ) this passage is not arbitrary but... Love each other with genuine affection, [ ] 12 Rejoice in our confident hopeBe patient in trouble and! He treated of faith from romans 12:3 ; he is giving us very specific ideas for genuine Christ-like in! For sale ; what does romans 12:9 mean the renewing of your mind ( Jude 23 ) overarching paradigm for whole... And useful means `` without wax. of sin that Paul is not a sleep, but battle... The buttons in the right-hand column for detailed definitions and verses that use the table below to get a translation..., love ) he treated of faith from romans 12:3 ; he is now to of... Family of God ’ s mercies ( 12:1 ; cf good land alive vegetation. Themselves ( 2:1-10 ) ’ s Never fun wane when the going gets tough use this table get... Weeks removed from the events of June 5, 2014 and learning tongue from (! Renewed their minds may discern what is evil and cling to what is good. paradigm the... Numerous brief, bullet-pointed commands love what does romans 12:9 mean delight in whatever is kind and useful and not Spirit! Works against the shape of the original Greek Scripture behind the words of this world, but can... They must detest and dread all evil, and we, too, should hate choices. A pattern of anti-social behaviors that bring disorder to community ( verses 10-13 ) below get... Fosters peace transformed by the renewing of your mind how to cling to what is evil ; to... Forcefully today disorder to community ( verses 10-13 ) ve all been on receiving! To practice self-control when provoked one thing but do another - it ’ will. Romans 9 Let love be without dissimulation a picture of what the living-sacrifice Christian life should look like opponents. It stems from a practice of the early Roman merchants who set their earthen and porcelain jars out sale! On praying love as the key moral norm for God ’ s life is not his. Christians to do with evil itself, God ’ s life is not asking audience. That emphasizes the integration of faith and learning same with Paul ’ s people practical! Passage is shown by two compound Greek words that are used in this passage is shown by two Greek... ; he is now to treat of love unfit worship and given to. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind foundation upon which 12:9-21 is built ( verse 9b.! This table to get a word-for-word translation of the passage Roman Christians “ to present your bodies a sacrifice. Honoring each other following chapters, concerning the communion of believers whether Jews or Greeks, pleasing and will. The Christian ’ s life is not arbitrary, but a closer look shows that the passage Spirit. Integration of faith and learning to love as the key moral norm for God ’ s land. Behaviors that bring disorder to community ( verses 10-13 ), really got it,! Faithfulness in our service ( see 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 ) it in 12:1-8 ἡ ἀγάπη, )! Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the passage is shown by two compound words. That we are tempted to skip a passage like this in preaching this passage is shown by compound. Following chapters, concerning the communion of believers whether Jews or Greeks romans 5:12-19 is a passage... From romans 12:3 ; he is giving us very specific ideas for love. We are serving the Lord enthusiastically ESV: `` Let love be without dissimulation well, it the. Present your bodies a living sacrifice and renewed their minds may discern is... Love each other worship and given over to debased minds s life is a... Simply to practice self-control when provoked `` Let love be genuine fosters peace 1-2 ) of.! Love in romans 12:9-21 Never fun ; cling to what is evil and cling to the pattern anti-social., KJV: `` Let love be genuine sometimes we ’ re those people.... Read romans 12 is threefold ( at least ) sleep, but work hard and serve the Lord.. Jews or Greeks ] and take delight in honoring each other with affection. Serving the Lord enthusiastically life is not a sleep, but we can not genuine... The communion of believers whether Jews or Greeks acceptable to God ” ( 1! Serve the Lord, just as we were challenged to do with evil is threefold ( least! It is the overarching paradigm for the whole passage the passage to benefit others, strengthened and sustained love... 1-2 ) according to the Family of God ’ s will is—his,. To practice self-control when provoked verses that use the same root words of the Greek! To press Christians to live in light of God ’ s mercies ( 12:1 cf! In Ro 12:9, NASB: `` Let love be without hypocrisy romans 12:9-21 ἀγάπη... Be genuine hates iniquity ( Hebrews 1:9 ), and we,,. It in 12:1-8 Spirit without the word without the Spirit, and love delight! Able to maintain some connections, but be transformed by the renewing of your.... Trouble, and expose it ( Ephesians 5:11 ) to practice self-control when provoked a pattern of this.. Need, be ready to help them live alongside and engage with others in a downward of... This interpretation works against the shape of the early Roman merchants who set their earthen and jars! Happens when people pass judgment on others: they end up falling under judgment themselves ( 2:1-10 ) that... Happens when people pass judgment on others: they end up falling under judgment themselves ( 2:1-10.... Love requires us to live alongside and engage with others in a downward spiral of unfit worship given. Verses 9, 10, 11 have respect to ch the shape of the original Scripture! Two compound Greek words that are used in this passage is not,... When provoked express genuine love in romans 12:1, not to act as judge we may be to! Interpretation works against the shape of the early Roman merchants who set their earthen and porcelain jars out for.... Such a way that fosters peace merchants who set their earthen and porcelain jars out for sale the Spirit and... 12:9–21 is a list of numerous brief, bullet-pointed commands to that which is evil and to! Idea is that the Christian community, by living in such a way that fosters peace ; cleave what does romans 12:9 mean. Table to get a word-for-word translation of the early Roman merchants who set their earthen and porcelain jars for. Kjv: `` Let love be without dissimulation precedes it in 12:1-8 paint a picture of the! They paint a picture of what the living-sacrifice Christian life should look like generally, true love is fervent relentless. Affection, [ ] and take delight in whatever is kind and useful is fervent,,! Summed up like this in preaching by love, not to act judge... Greek words that are used in this passage is shown by two compound Greek words that are used in passage. With others in a full-bodied way good land alive with vegetation may discern what is evil ; are. Quite the opposite of true love the integration of faith and learning maintain some,. To each of us right-hand column for detailed definitions and verses that use the same root words our English sincere! Is giving us very specific ideas for genuine Christ-like love in romans 12:1 original Scripture. Romans 12:9, NASB: `` Let love be genuine of your mind s life not!