Romans 12:4-5. Romans 12:4-Paul Compares The Christian Community To The Human Body To Emphasize The Importance Of Humility

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1 Romans 12:4-5 Romans 12:4-Paul Compares The Christian Community To The Human Body To Emphasize The Importance Of Humility Next, we continue our study of Romans chapter twelve by noting verse 4 but first by way of review, we have noted the following: In Romans 12:1, the apostle Paul appealed to his Christian readers in Rome on the basis of the merciful acts of the Father on their behalf to offer their bodies as a sacrifice-alive, holy, extremely pleasing to the Father, which is their reasonable service to the Father. Romans 12:1, Therefore, I appeal to each and every one of you spiritual brothers and sisters on the basis of the merciful acts produced by God the Father to offer your bodies as a sacrifice-alive, holy, extremely pleasing and beneficial to God the Father, which is your reasonable service. Then, in Romans 12:2, Paul prohibited his Christian readers in Rome from being conformed to the standards of the cosmic system of Satan. Romans 12:2a, Consequently, do not conform your behavior in accordance with the standards of this age. He then issued a command on the heels of this prohibition to be transformed in their character into the image of Christ by the renewing of their minds. He teaches that this transformation of the believer s character into the image of Christ by renovating their mind accomplishes what the Father intended in that it provides the believer the capacity to discern what the will of God is with regards to any situation. Romans 12:2b, On the contrary, permit yourselves to be transformed by renovating your mind in order that each and every one of you may discern what is, as an eternal spiritual truth, God the Father s will, that which is good as well as extremely pleasing and in addition perfect. In Romans 12:3, Paul forbid his readers from thinking more highly of themselves than they were obligated to think. Romans 12:3a, In fact, by means of the spiritual gift, which was assigned to me for the benefit of myself and others I say for the benefit of each and every person, namely those who are at this particular time living among all of you not to think more highly of oneself than what one is, as an eternal spiritual truth, obligated to think. In contrast to this he commanded that they think properly about themselves, which is accomplished by obeying the command in Romans 12:2 to renovate one s mind. Thinking properly about themselves would be consistent with the objective 2009 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

2 standard that the Father distributed to each believer by which they can accurately and objectively form an opinion of themselves, namely justifying faith. Romans 12:3b, On the contrary, make it a habit to think so that you think properly about yourselves consistent with the objective standard God the Father distributed to each and every person without exception for their benefit, namely justifying faith. Next, we will begin a study of Romans 12:4-5, which teaches that the reason why it is essential that the believer maintain a humble attitude toward self is that like the human body has many members with differing functions so they are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. In Romans 12:4, Paul compares the Christian community to the human body to emphasize the importance of humility. Romans 12:4-5, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. In Romans 12:4-5, the apostle Paul employs the body of Christ metaphor to teach that there is unity as well as diversity in the Christian community. Constable writes, The body of Christ is a unified organism, and its members are diverse personally and in their functions All the members belong to one another; there is mutuality in the church. As members of one another, we cannot work independently effectively. Each member profits from the contribution of every other member too. This realization should help us avoid becoming proud. (Constable, Thomas L.; Romans 2006 Edition; page 130; Published by Sonic Light) Ray Stedman writes, God gives us gifts, but we do not all have the same gifts. We need one another. We are members one with another, not just of this church, but of other churches, other denominations, other groups as well. (Stedman, Ray; Romans: Simple Christianity; page 140; Discovery Publishing, a ministry of Peninsula Bible Church; 1995) This comparison of a social group to the human body was very common among ancient writers. Of course, Paul picked up the metaphor and gave it a theological or spiritual application. Paul uses this illustration in 1 Corinthians 12 and it is further developed in Ephesians and Colossians. He uses the metaphor in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 to deal with arrogance in the Christian community. In 1 Corinthians 12, he uses it to rebuke those in the Corinthian church who prided themselves on possessing certain spiritual gifts, which they erroneously and arrogantly deemed as making them more important than other believers. 1 Corinthians 12, Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray 2009 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2

3 to the mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus is accursed ; and no one can say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body, it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body, it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you ; or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do 2009 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3

4 they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul uses the body of Christ metaphor to stop arrogance that was already taking place among believers whereas in Romans 12:4-5, he uses the body of Christ metaphor to prevent it from taking place (See Romans 15:14-15). In both instances, Paul discusses the subject of love immediately after discussing spiritual gifts since spiritual gifts can only function when the believer is operating according to the love of God. Just as a car runs on gas so the believer s spiritual gift runs on God s love. In Ephesians 4:1-16, Paul uses the body of Christ metaphor to teach the importance of the four great communications gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11 to the Christian community s spiritual growth. Ephesians 4:1-16, Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN. (Now this expression, He ascended, what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. He uses the metaphor in Ephesians 4:25 when exhorting the Ephesians to conduct that is consistent with their election to privilege William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4

5 Ephesians 4:25, Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE OF YOU WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. Paul employs the metaphor in Ephesians 5:23 and 30 to teach that Christian wives should be subject to their husbands and Christian men are to love their wives. Ephesians 5:22-33, Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. Paul uses the body of Christ metaphor in Colossians 1:18 to teach the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ over the Christian community. Colossians 1:16-18, For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Paul uses the metaphor in relation to his undeserved suffering in relation to his service to the body of Christ. Colossians 1:24, Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. In Colossians 2:19, Paul employs the metaphor to teach the Colossian believers the importance of remaining in fellowship with Christ through adhering to the teaching of the communicators of the Word of God in the Christian community in order to protect themselves from the legalism of the Judaizers William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5

6 Colossians 2:18-19, Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. The apostle Paul uses the body of Christ metaphor in Colossians 3:15 to teach the importance of maintaining unity in the Christian community by believers operating in love towards one another. Colossians 3:12-15, So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Romans 12:4-5, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. For is the causal use of the post-positive conjunction gar (gavr), which introduces a comparative clause that presents the reason why the Roman believers are to obey the command in the adversative clause that appears in Romans 12:3. Paul uses the conjunction gar to introduce a comparative clause that presents the reason why the Roman believers should obey his command to think so that they think properly about themselves by renovating their minds. The comparative clause in Romans 12:4-5 teaches that the Roman believers should obey his command in Romans 12:3 because just as the human body has many members with diverse functions so the Christian community is one body in union and identified with Christ and thus individually members of one another. The implication is that Paul s readers need to maintain a humble attitude about themselves and avoid being arrogant because they need each other to function effectively as a group since they have different functions which benefit the entire group just as the human body has different parts with different functions. Therefore, the implication of this is that maintaining a humble attitude is essential in order to serve the body of Christ. We will translate gar, because. Just as so is composed of the comparative conjunction kathaper (kaqavper) (kath-ap-er), just as and the adverb of manner houtos (ou^tw$) (hoo-tos), so that appears at the beginning of verse 5. Together, these two words form a comparative clause. The comparative conjunction kathaper, just as is used to introduce the protasis of a comparison meaning that to which the main idea is being compared. In Romans 12:4, kathaper 2009 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6

7 functions as an emphatic marker of comparison meaning that it emphatically marks the comparison between the individual members of the human body with diversity of function with that of the individual members of the Christian community who also have diversity of function. We will translate kathaper, in fact, just as. On the other hand, the adverb of manner houtos, so introduces the apodasis of this comparative clause. We will translate houtos, so in the same way. The protasis appears in Romans 12:4: For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function. The apodasis appears in Romans 12:5: So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. This comparative clause in Romans 12:4-5 is comparing the different parts of the human body that have various functions that benefit the body as a whole with the individuals who compose the Christian community that also have various functions that benefit the community as a whole. Romans 12:4-5, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. We have is the first person plural present active indicative form of the verb echo (e&xw) (ekh-o), which means, to possess a particular object that is identified by the expression polla mele, many members. The first person plural form of the verb refers Paul and his fellow Christians in Rome who are all sinners who have been declared justified by God through faith in Jesus Christ. The present tense of the verb is a gnomic present used to make a statement of a general, timeless fact. This indicates that every person s human body possesses as a physiological fact many members such as a hands, legs, feet and eyes. The active voice of the verb in Romans 12:4 is stative emphasizes that the human body exists in the state of possessing many members. The indicative mood is declarative presenting this assertion as an unqualified statement of fact. Therefore, we will translate echo, we, as a physiological fact, possess. Corrected translation thus far of Romans 12:4: Because in fact, just as we, as a physiological fact, possess so in the same way Many members is composed of the accusative neuter plural form of the adjective polus (poluv$) (pol-oos), many and the accusative neuter plural form of the noun melos (mevlo$) (mel-os), members. In Romans 12:4, the adjective polus is used as a positive adjective before the plural noun melos, members and is describing or qualifying the noun and means, many William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7

8 In Romans 12:4, the noun melos is used in a literal sense for the different parts of the human body such as the eyes, ears, legs, feet, hands and arms. The word functions as an accusative direct object meaning that it is receiving the action of the verb echo. We will translate the word members. Corrected translation thus far of Romans 12:4: Because in fact, just as we, as a physiological fact, possess many members so in the same way Romans 12:4-5, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. In one body is composed of the preposition en (e)n), in and the dative neuter singular form of the cardinal number heis (ei!$), one and the dative neuter singular form of the noun soma (sw~ma) (so-mah), body. The noun soma refers to the mortal, physical or human bodies that Paul and his readers possess. The cardinal number heis functions as an adjective, modifying the noun soma, body, emphasizing the unity of the human body. The preposition en is a marker of location or place and the noun melos functions as a dative locative of place indicating that the various members that Paul and his fellow believers in Rome possess such as arms, feet, hands and legs are all located in one physical body. We will translate en, in. Corrected translation thus far of Romans 12:4: Because in fact, just as in one body, we, as a physiological fact, possess many members so in the same way Romans 12:4-5, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. And is the adversative use of the post-positive conjunction de (dev) (deh), which is introducing a statement that stands in contrast with the previous statement. In the previous statement Paul presents the physiological fact that there is a unity of the members of the human body. In the statement to follow he presents the physiological fact that there is a diversity of function among the various members of the human body. Therefore, the conjunction de is introducing a statement that presents the physiological fact that there is a diversity of function among the various members of the human body, which stands in contrast to the unity of the members of the human body in that they are all a part of one living organism. Therefore, we will translate de, however William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8

9 Corrected translation thus far of Romans 12:4: Because in fact, just as in one body, we, as a physiological fact, possess many members however so in the same way Romans 12:4-5, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. All the members is composed of the nominative neuter plural form of the adjective pas (pa~$), all and the articular nominative neuter plural form of the noun melos (mevlo$) (mel-os), the members. Once again the noun melos is used in a literal sense for the different parts of the human body such as the eyes, ears, legs, feet, hands and arms. The articular construction of the word is anaphoric indicating that the word was used in the previous statement and retains the same meaning in the adversative clause. It also indicates that the word is functioning as the nominative subject meaning that it is performing the action of the verb echo. The adjective pas is used with the articular plural form of the noun melos, members and means all pertaining to the totality of the human body with emphasis on its individual members. The adjective is in the second predicate position meaning we have an article-noun-adjective construction emphasizing equally the noun and the adjective. We will translate the expression ta mele panta, all the members. Corrected translation thus far of Romans 12:4: Because in fact, just as in one body, we, as a physiological fact, possess many members however all the members so in the same way Romans 12:4-5, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Do not have is composed of the emphatic negative adverb ou (ou)) (oo), not and the third person singular present active indicative form of the verb echo (e&xw) (ekh-o), do have. Once again the verb echo means, to possess a particular object that is identified by the expression ten auten praxin, the same function. The word s meaning is emphatically negated by the emphatic negative adverb ou, which is used to deny the reality of an alleged fact of this occurring. It therefore emphatically negates the idea that the various members of the human body bear the same function. We will translate ou, by no means. The present tense of the verb is a gnomic present used to make a statement of a general, timeless fact. This indicates that the various parts of the human body as a physiological fact by no means possess the same function William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9

10 The active voice of the verb is stative emphasizing that the various parts of the human body by no means exist in the state of possessing the same function. The indicative mood is declarative presenting this assertion as an unqualified statement of fact. Therefore, we will translate echo, as a physiological fact, possess. Corrected translation thus far of Romans 12:4: Because in fact, just as in one body, we, as a physiological fact, possess many members however all the members, as a physiological fact, by no means possess so in the same way Romans 12:4-5, For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. The same function is composed of the articular accusative feminine singular form of the intensive personal pronoun autos (au)tov$) (ow-tos), the same and the accusative feminine singular form of the noun praxis (pra~ci$) (prax-is), function. The noun praxis is related to the verb prasso, which means, to act and which we have seen in our study of Romans (1:32; 2:1-3, 25; 7:15, 19). In classical Greek, praxis was used of a business transaction. It can also refer to moral action or doing either good or evil deeds. The word can refer to a wide variety of actions including military action, or euphemistically sexual intercourse, or an act of revenge or even a lecture or discourse of a philosopher. In the Septuagint, praxis is relegated primarily to apocryphal literature and appears only six times in the Greek New Testament (Matt. 16:27; Lk. 23:51; Acts 19:18; Rom. 8:13; 12:4; Col. 3:9). In Romans 12:4, the noun praxis means function referring to function of the various parts of the human body that contribute to the sustained function of the body. The word functions as an accusative direct object meaning that it is receiving the action of the verb echo. The intensive personal pronoun autos means the same since it functions as an identifying adjective, which is indicated in that it is articular and is modifying the noun praxis in the attributive position. We will translate the expression ten auten praxin, the same function. Completed corrected translation of Romans 12:4: Because in fact, just as in one body, we, as a physiological fact, possess many members however all the members, as a physiological fact, by no means possess the same function William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10

11 Romans 12:5-The Christian Community Is A Corporate Unit In Union With Christ And Thus Members Individually Belonging To One Another The apostle Paul in Romans 12:5 compares the Christian community throughout the world with the human body. He teaches that the Christian community is a corporate unit in union with Christ and thus members individually belonging to one another. Romans 12:5, So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. We are is the first person plural present active indicative form of the verb eimi (ei)miv) (i-mee), which means, to exist. The first person plural form refers to Paul and his fellow Christians in Rome emphasizing that they are a community that is diverse individually from each other but totally and completely dependent upon each other for their proper and effective function as a community towards those of the cosmic system of Satan. It indicates Paul s humility in that he Paul includes himself among his fellow Christians and does not consider himself better than them even though his spiritual gift as an apostle held maximum authority over the church. The word functions as a copula uniting the subject which is the articular form of the adjective polus, the many with the predicate nominative, which is the noun soma, body, which is modified by the cardinal number heis, one. Therefore, the word indicates that the many, i.e. the individual Christians exist as one body, i.e. a unity or a unity. The present tense of the verb is gnomic used to make a statement of a general, timeless fact or in other words, an eternal spiritual truth. It indicates that all Christians as an eternal spiritual truth exist as one body. The active voice is stative emphasizing that all Christians as the subject exist in a state of being one body. The indicative mood is declarative presenting this Pauline assertion as an unqualified statement of Bible doctrine. We will translate eimi, we are, as an eternal spiritual truth. Corrected translation of Romans 12:4-5: Because in fact, just as in one body, we, as a physiological fact, possess many members however all the members, as a physiological fact, by no means possess the same function so in the same way, we are, as an eternal spiritual truth Who many is the articular nominative masculine plural form of the adjective polus (poluv$) (pol-oos), which means the majority referring to Paul and his fellow Christians throughout the world who have been declared justified through faith alone in Christ alone William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11

12 The word identifies the totality of the church without exception or distinction. The definite article preceding the adjective polus functions as a substantiver meaning that it converts the adjective into a substantive. The article also identifies the adjective polus as the nominative subject meaning that it is performing the action of the verb eimi, we are, as an eternal spiritual. The expression hoi polloi, the many emphasizes the diversity of individuals and gifts in the Christian community. The implication is that each believer maintains his or her own individuality and personality, thus excluding uniformity. Corrected translation of Romans 12:4-5: Because in fact, just as in one body, we, as a physiological fact, possess many members however all the members, as a physiological fact, by no means possess the same function so in the same way, we, the many are, as an eternal spiritual truth The first are does not translate a word in the Greek text but was added by the translators to smooth out the translation but this really is not needed. Romans 12:5, So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. One body is composed of the nominative neuter singular form of the cardinal number heis (ei!$), one and the nominative neuter singular form of the noun soma (sw~ma) (so-mah), body. The noun soma, body emphasizes the Christian community throughout the earth as a corporate unit regardless of denomination, race, gender or social status. The word functions as a predicate nominative meaning that it is making the assertion that the many different members of the Christian community composed of the many races, both genders and differing social status is a corporate unit in the viewpoint of God because of what He has done for all of them through the work of His Son and the Spirit. The cardinal number heis, one functions as an adjective modifying the noun soma, body and emphasizes the unity that there is among all believers regardless of denomination, race, gender or social status because all have been declared justified based upon the merits of the object of their faith, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, through the baptism of the Spirit all have been placed in union with Christ the moment they exercised faith in Christ and have been identified with Christ in His crucifixion, His deaths (spiritual and physical), burial, resurrection and session. They are united because all of them have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit the moment they trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior. They are all children of God and sons of God through faith alone in Christ alone. Galatians 3:26-28, For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12

13 This expression hen soma, one body emphasizes that there is unity though there is diversity with the implication of interdependency. Therefore, no believer is self-sufficient. We will translate the expression hen soma, as one body. Corrected translation of Romans 12:4-5: Because in fact, just as in one body, we, as a physiological fact, possess many members however all the members, as a physiological fact, by no means possess the same function so in the same way, we, the many are, as an eternal spiritual truth, one body Romans 12:5, So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. In Christ is composed of the preposition en (e)n), in and the dative masculine singular form of the proper name Christos (xristov$), Christ. This is the fourth time in the Roman epistle that Paul uses the prepositional phrase for the justified sinner s union and identification with Christ. The first time that we saw this prepositional phrase it was used in relation to the Christian s union and identification with Christ in Romans 6:11. Romans 6:11, In the same way, also, on the one hand, all of you without exception make it your habit to regard yourselves as dead ones with respect to the sin nature while on the other hand those who are, as an eternal spiritual truth, alive with respect to God the Father, in union with Christ, who is Jesus. Romans 8:1, Therefore, there is now, as an eternal spiritual truth, never any condemnation, none whatsoever for the benefit of those in union with Christ who is Jesus. Romans 8:38-39, Because I am of the firm conviction that neither physical death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor present events and circumstances, nor future events and circumstances, nor political powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate any one of us from God the Father s love, which is because of our union with Christ, who is Jesus, who is our Lord. In Romans 12:5, as in these other passages, the proper name Christos is a technical word designating the humanity of our Lord as the promised Savior for all mankind who is unique as the incarnate Son of God and totally and completely guided and empowered by the Spirit as the Servant of the Father. The word denotes the Messiahship of Jesus of Nazareth, thus He is the Deliverer of the human race in three areas through His death, resurrection, ascension and session: (1) Satan (2) Cosmic System (3) Old Sin Nature. The word Christos also signifies the uniqueness of Jesus of Nazareth who is the God-Man and signifies His three-fold office: (1) Prophet (2) Priest (3) King. The Lord s Messiahship has a four-fold significance: (1) Separation unto God. (2) Authorization from God. (3) Divine enablement. (4) The coming Deliverer William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13

14 Christos signifies that Jesus of Nazareth served God the Father exclusively and this was manifested by His execution of the Father s salvation plan which was accomplished by His voluntary substitutionary spiritual and physical deaths on the Cross. The word also signifies that Jesus of Nazareth has been given authority by God the Father to forgive sins, give eternal life, and authority over all creation and every creature as a result of His execution of the Father s salvation plan. Furthermore, it signifies that Jesus of Nazareth was perpetually guided and empowered by God the Holy Spirit during His First Advent. Lastly, Christos signifies that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised deliverer of the human race from the bondage of Satan, his cosmic system and the old Adamic sin nature. The preposition en is a marker of close personal association and means, in union with. Therefore, the proper name Christos functions as a dative association indicating that the Christian is in union with or in a close personal relationship with the Christ, who is Jesus. Thus, we will translate the preposition en, in union with and the proper name Christos, Christ. The prepositional phrase en Christo, in union with Christ denotes that the sinner has been entered into union with Jesus Christ through the baptism of the Spirit the moment he was declared justified by the Father as a result of exercising faith in His Son Jesus Christ as their Savior. This union is indivisible and eternal in the viewpoint of God as a result of the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit identifying the justified sinner with Christ in His physical death. In the Greek New Testament, there are at least eight different analogies that express the justified sinner s union with Christ: (1) The last Adam and the New Creation (1 Cor. 15:45; 2 Cor. 5:17a). (2) The Head and the Body (Col. 1:18a). (3) The Great Shepherd and the Sheep (Heb. 13:20). (4) The True Vine and the Branches (John 15:5a). (5) The Chief Cornerstone and the Stones in the building (Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:5-6). (6) The Great High Priest and members of the Royal Priesthood (Heb. 4:14a; 1 Pet. 2:9a). (7) The Groom and the Bride. (Our wedding occurs at the Second Advent) (Rev. 19:7). (8) The King of Kings and the Royal Family of God (Rev. 19:14-16). The prepositional phrases in Christ, in Christ Jesus, in the Lord, in Him, in Whom are in some way or another reference to the Christian s union with the Christ. In Christ : Rom. 8:1; 12:5; 16:3, 7-10; 1 Cor. 3:1; 4:10, 15, 17; 15:18-19; 2 Cor. 2:14, 17; 3:14; 5:17, 19; 12:2, 19; Gal. 1:22, Eph. 1:3, 10, 12, 20; Eph. 2:10, 13; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 4:16; Philemon 8; 1 Pet. 3:16; 5:14. In Christ Jesus : 1 Cor. 1:2, 30; 15:31; 16:24; Gal. 2:4; Gal. 3:26, 28; Phil. 1:1, 13; 2:1, 5; 3:3, 14; 4:21; Eph. 1:1; 2:6; Eph. 2:10, 13; 3:6, 11; Col. 1:4, 28; 1 Thess. 2:14; 5:18; 1 Tim. 1:14; 3:13; 2 Tim. 1:1, 9, 13; 2:1, 10; 3:12, 15; Philemon William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14

15 In Him : 1 Cor. 5:21; 2 Cor. 13:4; Eph. 1:4; Phil. 3:9; Col. 2:7, 10. In the Lord : Rom. 16:11-13, 22; 1 Cor. 1:31; 4:17; 7:39; 9:1-2; 11:11; 15:58; 16:19; 2 Cor. 10:17; Eph. 2:21; 4:17; 5:8; 6:1, 10, 21; Phil. 1:14; 3:1; 4:1-2, 4, 10; Col. 4:7, 17; 1 Thess. 3:8; 5:12; 2 Thess. 3:4, 12; Philemon 16, 20. In Whom : Eph. 1:11; Col. 2:3, 11. The prepositional phrase en Christo, in union with Christ means that the Christian is identified with with Christ. This means that at the moment of salvation, the omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit causes the believer to become identical and united with Christ and also ascribes to the believer the qualities and characteristics of Christ. This prepositional phrase denotes what God has done for the church age believer and His viewpoint of the church age believer. He views the believer as He views His Son and does not view the believer according to his sins and transgressions and former manner of life prior to salvation. This is because the justified sinner is now under the headship of Christ rather than Adam s headship. Therefore, this prepositional phrase denotes the believer under the headship of Christ. The prepositional phrase en Christo, in union with Christ is a reminder to the Christians as to what God has done for them through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and it denotes His viewpoint of the church age believer. It summarizes the doctrine of positional truth and the justified sinner s union and identification with Christ in His crucifixion, His spiritual and physical deaths and His resurrection, which underlies Paul s teaching in Romans 6:1-10. Therefore, this prepositional phrase denotes the believer s intimate, eternally secure position because of his union and identification with Christ. Your position in Christ refers to the fact that at the moment you believed in Christ, the omnipotence of the Spirit caused you to become identical and united with Christ in His crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and session, and which ministry of the Spirit is called in Scripture, the baptism of the Spirit. This means that when Christ was crucified, God crucified you with Him and when Christ died and was buried, God considers you to have died and been buried with Christ. It also means that when Christ was raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father (the session of Christ), God raised and seated you with Him. Your position in Christ also refers to the fact that through the Spirit s ministry of regeneration, the qualities and characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ were ascribed to you by giving you the nature of Christ. Galatians 3:27, For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with the nature of Christ. The church age believer s spiritual wealth and prosperity resides in His union and identification with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection and session William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15

16 Ephesians 3:8, To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ. Infinite spiritual wealth resides in the believer s union and identification with Christ. Ephesians 1:3-14, Worthy of praise and glorification is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the One who has blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in the Person of Christ. When He elected us to privilege in Him before the foundation of the world for the purpose of being holy and blameless before Him. By means of divine love He has predestined us for the purpose of adoption for Himself according to grace purpose of His will. For the praise of the glory of His grace by means of which (grace) He has graced us out in the Person of the Beloved. In whom (the Beloved) we have the redemption through His blood (Christ s substitutionary spiritual death), the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace. From which (riches of His grace) He has directed infinite wealth toward all of us by means of all wisdom and perfect judgment. When He made known to all of us the mystery of His will according to His grace purpose, which He (the Father) purposed in Him (Christ). With respect to the dispensation of the fulness of the times to unite all things in the Person of Christ those in heaven and those on earth by means of Him (Christ). In whom also we have obtained an inheritance when we were predestined according to the purpose of the One who works all things according to the counsel of His will. For the purpose of us being for the praise of His glory, those of us who have confidently placed their trust in the Person of Christ. In whom (the Person of Christ) you have confidently placed your trust after hearing the word of truth, namely, the gospel of your salvation, in the Person of whom (Christ), in fact, when you had trusted, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit who is the Promise who (the Holy Spirit) is the guarantee of our inheritance until the deliverance of the purchase possession (church) for the praise of His glory. Paul prayed that the Ephesian believers would receive enlightenment and insight into the riches of the glory of God s inheritance in the saints, which is the result of their union and identification with Christ in His death, resurrection and session. Ephesians 1:18-23, I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might, which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every 2009 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 16

17 name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Paul taught the Ephesian believers that the surpassing riches of God s grace are manifested to the believer through his union and identification with Christ in His death, resurrection and session. Ephesians 2:1-10, And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Paul taught the Colossian believers that the indwelling Christ is a mystery doctrine for the church age and is the riches of God s glory. Colossians 1:24-29, Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Charles Hodge commenting on the Christian s union with Christ, writes, 1. They are in Him federally, as all men were in Adam (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21-see notes). 2. They are in Him vitally, as the branch is in the vine (John 15:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) or, as the head and members of the body are in vital union (1Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:23-note). This union 2009 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 17

18 arises from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13; 6:15, 19). 3. They are in him by faith (Ephesians 3:17-note; Galatians 3:26, 27). It is not in virtue of any one of these unions exclusively, but in virtue of them all (so far as adults are concerned) that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. It follows from the nature of this union that it must transform the character of those who are its subjects. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; see also John 15:4; Philippians 3:20-note; Colossians 2:6-note; 1John 2:5; 3:6). As the union includes the bodies of believers as well as their souls (1 Corinthians 6:15, 16, 17, 18, 19), so this transforming power will ultimately extend to the former as well as to the latter (Ro 8:10, 11-note). (Hodge, C. Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, 1835) William Newell writes, The words in Christ Jesus express that glorious place God has given the believer. The question is not at all now one of justification, but one of position, in Christ Risen, where condemnation is not, and cannot be. There cannot be degrees here: men either are in Christ, or not in Him. There is no Condemnation-Those in Christ Jesus have more than justification from all things by His blood. They have "justification of life, which means that they share His risen life. No condemnation-means, no condemnatory judgment. (Romans: Verse by Verse, page 202; MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library; Grand Rapids, Michigan). Paul s statement in Romans 12:5 that the entire Christian community throughout the earth is a corporate unit in union with Christ refers to the Christian s justification as well since the believer was placed in union with Christ, the moment he was declared justified by the Father as a result of exercising faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Justification is a judicial act of God whereby He declares a person to be righteous as a result of crediting or imputing to that person His righteousness the moment they exercised faith in His Son Jesus Christ. Consequently, God accepts that person and enters that person into a relationship with Himself since they now possess His righteousness. The mechanics of justification are as follows: (1) God condemns the sinner, which qualifies them to receive His grace. (2) The sinner believes in Jesus Christ as His Savior. (3) God imputes or credits Christ s righteousness to the believer. (4) God declares that person as righteous as a result of acknowledging His Son s righteousness in that person. Justification is God declaring a person to be righteous as a result of acknowledging or recognizing His righteousness in that person, and which righteousness He imputed to that person as a result of their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. It is a once and for all declaration, which never changes or can be rescinded 2009 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 18