Paul beseeched the brethren to present their bodies a living sacrifice which is their reasonable service (v.1).
Believers should not be conformed to the world, but be renewed in the spirit of their mind that they may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (v.2).
Everyone should not think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith (v.3).
There are many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so is it true of the church. The brethren, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another (v.4-5).
Having different gifts according to the grace that is given to the brethren, let them use these gifts: if prophecy, prophesy in proportion to their faith; if ministry, use it in their ministering; if teaching; use it in teaching; if exhortation, use it in their exhortation; if generosity, give with liberality; if leadership, lead with diligence; if mercy, show it with cheerfulness (v.6-8).
Love without hypocrisy, abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour give preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality (v.9-13).
Bless those who persecute them and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (v.14-15).
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set their mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in one’s own opinion (v.16).
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men (v.17-18).
Beloved, do not avenge ourselves but rather give place to wrath, for is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing one will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (v.19-21)
COMMENTARY
Paul entreats the brethren, that by the mercies of God, to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is their reasonable service (v.1). It is the mercies of God that the brethren are able to present their bodies a living sacrifice, for they are cleansed by the blood of Christ Jesus and showered with His bounty.
Thus presenting their bodies as living sacrifice is holy, consecrated and acceptable to Him. It is reasonable service because their bodies are purchased by Him and no longer their own (I Cor.6:19-20).
One must not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of the mind to prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Being conformed to the world is to lead lives seeking satisfaction of the lusts of the flesh and lust of the eyes, and also being filled with the pride of this life. It is not a life of abiding in the Spirit.
Such a manner of life shall never enable one to prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. He must be transformed by the renewing of the mind. Then shall he put on the new man which is created after God in true righteousness and holiness (v.2; Rom. 8: 5-8; Eph.4:23-24).
Paul exhorted the brethren in the community of believers to serve God with spiritual gifts. One ought not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think but to think soberly according to the measure of faith which God has dealt to each one.
Having different gifts according to the grace that is given, serve the Lord God with the gift that He has given (v.3-8; I Pet.4:10-11).
Verse 9 to 13 records how believers ought to conduct themselves in the community of brethren in the household of God. Love without hypocrisy. Ananias and Sapphira acted with hypocrisy when they sold off their land and brought the proceeds to Peter to distribute to the poor brethren. They kept some of the proceeds but told Peter a lie that what they had given was all that they obtained from the sale. The judgment of God came upon them instantly.
They both were struck dead (Acts 5:1-11).
Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love; in honour give preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality (v.9-13).
Verse 14 to 16 records that believers should bless and not curse those who persecute them, rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not set their mind on high things but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in their own opinion (v.14-16).
Verse 17-21 records how believers should react to those who harbour ill-intent and do evil against them. Repay no on evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on them, live peaceably with all men. Do not avenge themselves but rather give place to wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay:” says the Lord.
Hence if their enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing, they will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (v.17-21).
TEACHINGS:
Live for Christ. Serve the Lord in our bodies with the gifts which He had given to each of us. Receive not the grace of God in vain (Phil.1:21; Rom. 14:7-8; II Cor.6:1-2).
Do not be conformed to this world but be renewed in the spirit of our mind that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (v.2-3).
In the community of the church, different gifts are given to members. The church is the body of Christ and we are members of the one body. We ought to live peaceably with one another and serve the Lord together. Do not think of oneself more highly than one ought to think but to think soberly as God has dealt to each a measure of faith (v.4-8).
Conduct ourselves with love for one another and cling to what is good, not lagging in diligence, being fervent in spirit and serving the Lord. Rejoice in hope, being patience in tribulation, continue steadfastly in prayer; distribute to the needs of the saints and given to hospitality. That is how we ought to lead lives of faith in the house of God (I Tim.3:15)
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it depends on us, live peaceably with all men. Give way and do not avenge ourselves, for vengeance is God’s who shall repay. Instead do good to those who wronged us. Do not be overcome by evil, but be overcome evil with good (v.17-21).
