Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Reviewing the outline of Romans: 1. 1:1-17 Greeting 2. 1:18-3:20 All are responsible and guilty of unrighteousness 3. 3:21-4:25 The one who believes in Jesus Christ obtains God s righteousness and is forgiven 4. 5:1-8:39 The benefits of being deemed righteous by God 5. 9:1-11:36 Paul s Israelology 6. 12:1-15:13 Christian living (God s will for our lives as a believer) 7. 15:14-16:27 Salutations We are in point 6 in the Book of Romans. We are over 70% through the letter and here we come to the practical application portion of Paul s Systematic Theology. In the letter to the Romans, Paul provides a systematic theology. But what is usually overlooked is that the doctrinal information concluded, for the most part, in Romans 11. When we consider that 9-11 is Paul s Israelology, some have concluded that we should jump from the end of chapter 8 to chapter 12 in regard to the relevant content. But as we have seen, the doctrinal discussion of Israel and the use of Gentiles in the administration of God are vital for the church to understand in God s plan for the ages. It was necessary for both them and for us to make sure that we do not lose sight of God s full plan as we approach the last days. Because God has chosen the Nation of Israel, we should love them. Because the Nation of Israel has rejected God and the Messiah we need to understand that they are enemies of the Gospel of God. We need to maintain this viewpoint of Israel as we live our lives as believers. This was the reason why I decided to take three weeks to discover the Gospel from the Hebrew Scriptures as well. If we maintain our view of Israel, then we should be able to use the full account of Scripture in order to explain to both Jew and Gentile the plan of God to bring individuals to reconciliation. Remember, Romans 9-11 is not about individual reconciliation but about Israeli restoration. This is why the typical use of the Romans Road is inappropriate. The plan of God for the believer can absolutely be found in Romans, but those who use Romans for this purpose often take the plan of taking a person from
death to life (stage one salvation; initial justification; etc.) far too deep in Romans. Here are some examples: 1:20-21 God is Creator and Judge 3:23 Because of Sin We are Separated from God Everyone Needs Salvation Because All Sinned 3:10-12,23 3:23 All are Sinners 6:23 The Penalty for Sin is Death 5:8 Christ Died for Sinners 5:8 The Penalty for our Sin was paid by Jesus Christ The Consequences of sin is Death 6:23 Jesus Died for our Sins, He Paid the Price for us 5:8 6:23 Penalty of Sin is Death; Gift of God is Eternal Life 10:9-13 Make Jesus Lord and Confess (Call On) Him Openly to Be Saved 10:13 If We Repent of Our Sin, Then Confess and Trust Jesus We Will Be Saved We Receive Salvation and Eternal Life through faith in Jesus Christ 10:9-10,13 Salvation Brings Us into a Relationship of Peace with God 5:1; 8:1; 8:38-39 What is wrong? In the outline, the section that proved the necessary details about how to be deemed right and forgiven of sins (by God) is not in any of the examples. They all use the sections of benefits and Israel for personal salvation. They all add works to salvation by adding confess, make Him Lord, and repent of sin. They miss the fact that the Paul spends just a few verses explaining how to be justified by God. This is why we have provided information to give to unbelievers or to those who need clarification as to the means of obtaining eternal life (Acts 18:24-28) using the Scriptures to explain the way of God more accurately, because of all the confusion about what the offer and plan of God is. It is important to distinguish the various good news sections in the letter to the Romans: 1. 1:18-4:25 The Gospel of Reconciliation unbeliever to believer 2. 5:1-8:39 The Gospel of Provision to the Believer so the believer can understand who they are 3. 9:1-11:36 The Gospel for National Israel so the believer can understand God s faithfulness to Israel 4. 12:1-15:13 The Gospel of Purpose so the believer can understand God s will for their lives This portion of Romans encourages understanding of: the proper role in the church, proper attitude, proper relationships, handling authority, maintaining an eternal perspective, love in not hindering one another. In Romans, there are a few imperatives (commands) in Chapter 6 (12, 13, 19) and Chapter 11 (18, 20). There are a few others when quoting the Hebrew Scriptures and a couple Behold(s). In Chapters 12-16 there are over 35 imperatives. Plus there are three uses of παρακαλέω parakaleō translated urge used in the same
sense as an imperative (12:1, 15:30, 16:17). It is easily discernable that the ought section is in Chapters 12-16. The taught section is Chapters 1-11. This section in Romans will be very urge related, to not rest upon knowledge and faith alone. But we need to put feet to faith; we need to be doers of the word and not hearers only. But we need to keep this one truth in mind. This is not to obtain, maintain, or gain assurance of who we are in Christ. Eternal life is a gift, but God has designed the human experience. If we believe that He has our best interest in mind, then it would be wise to seek what God has to say about this life. These instructions are not to deny joy or pleasure, rather these are to enhance our life on earth, being a good behavioral witness to those around us, and to obtain commendation when we appear before Jesus. Romans 14:10-12 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 15:7-9,13 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:15-16 But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Specifically, in Chapter 12 it is set up very precisely. This chapter has an introductory summary followed by three topics for discussion. Chapters 13-15 continue with additional discussion points, but for now we will only look at chapter 12. 1. 1-2 Introductory Summary These two verses are beloved by many, but do we know how to present our bodies as a sacrifice? Do we know how to be transformed? Do we understand the purpose? 2. 3-8 Conduct within the body in regard to the function of individual believers as it applies to the church. In this section, we will talk about gifts: what they are and what they are not. Do we understand what it means that God has allotted to each a measure of faith? What does it mean to have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us? 3. 9-13 Attitude and function of the believer in general. This speaks to the relational aspect of the believer to other believers but in the attitude and function that everyone should have. In 3-8, the functions are separated so that the needs of the church are met. This section has no distinctions. There are thirteen short phrases in five verses. In this entire paragraph there are no verbs but it s filled with adjectives and participles to communicate the nature of each attitude/function.
4. 14-21 The attitude and function of the believer in response to opposition, persecution, being wronged, and evil. The main point is overcome evil with good. In Chapter 12, the verse begins with Therefore οὖν oun is an inferential particle. This continues the thought and provides a logical conclusion to the previous information. We know that this is God, through Paul, providing instruction. But what is often missed is that these instructions are based on the first part of the letter. We must not separate the book into hard divisions. This application must be based on the doctrines which were learned. Application that is not based upon doctrine is humanistic, incomplete, and often wrong. Too many times we place an ought in front of something because it is socially taboo within Christian communities. Sometimes an ought makes sense in regard to health but not is spiritually derived. But when we understand doctrine, believe it to be true, then consider the implication in our individual lives, then the application is right and proper. We must reflect the doctrinal truth in Romans 1-11 for each imperative (or implied imperative) in Romans 12-16. When we understand the why behind the instruction, it makes for better, accurate, and consistent adherence to the Word of God. As alluded to earlier, the word urge is παρακαλέω parakaleō. This word literally means to call alongside. This is a common word used by Paul and it indicates that Paul is begging them to come into alignment with how he is living his life. This is not an ideological call but one that is both possible and exemplified in Paul (1 st Corinthians 4:14-16; 10:31-11:1; Philippians 3:17). To repeat this point, this is not an ideal but one that is achievable and practical. Paul calls them alongside by the mercies of God. The main sentence here is I urge you. The means for this urging are the mercies of God. What he is urging is to present. Here is the question. Is he urging by the mercies of God or is Paul urging the brethren to present by means of the mercies of God (and does it make a difference)? Mercies is οἰκτιρμός oiktirmos and is a word that means the demonstration of pity or compassion. The use of this word is unique in Romans. This is a different word than 9:15. This word is only used, in both the
noun (here) and the adjective, a total of eight times. The word always denotes a pity in response to a need or evil pressures (2 nd Corinthians 1:3-4; Colossians 3:12-13). The supportive phrase always supports the main sentence. Therefore, Paul is urging them by means of the mercies of God. Paul is reflecting to them mercy because of all the many mercies he has received. Is it true that we perform by the mercies? Yes, but that is not the point made here. Paul urges them to present παρίστημι paristēmi Aorist Active Infinitive (denotes purpose, a desired result). The word means to stand beside, exhibit, to be at the hand in regards to the master/servant relationship; the one standing is the one ready to serve (Romans 6:13,16,19). Present the bodies of yours σῶμα sōma this means literally the body. This does not say flesh (sarx). The body often refers to the person (the whole person). The plurality indicates a function of the group as well as that each individual is to function the same way (Romans 15:5-6). Do not look at this as a sacrifice of the flesh but as an act of the whole person. Sacrifice is θυσία thusia and is normally thought of as something that is sacrificed (wasted). My first inclination when I read of the burnt sacrifices is that it was a waste. It took me some time to understand something that most understood right away. The sacrifice made is not a waste but a reflection of an attitude. The attitude that the only reason we have anything (our lives included) is because God is graceful and has demonstrated His grace to us through Jesus Christ. Sacrifice is also (usually) associated with giving something up. This again can denote a sacrifice but it does not immediately indicate giving up your fatted calf or your youngest daughter. Some think that a sacrifice doesn t count unless it hurts (food, physical labor, comfort). In fact, the model for sacrifice is a spiritual act (Philippians 4:15-18 A proper sacrifice increases your account; Hebrews 13:15-16 sacrifice of praise, doing good, sharing). A proper sacrifice is wrought from an understanding that God is the authority and when we are called upon to serve, we do what is necessary. If we see needs in the body of Christ, we will do well to help in those needs (share). When we are in abundance, we do not take the credit for every good thing comes from God; we offer up recognition and praise. When life s circumstances are hard, we recognize that we have an eternal perspective and that glory will outweigh any hardship we face; we offer up recognition and praise to God.
Next, we have both holy and living. ζάω zaō living denotes not dead, but this can also mean active. In this instance, it is an adverbial participle. Could Paul be clarifying that we re not to kill ourselves or is he indicating that our sacrifices are functional, proper, and good. ἅγιος hagios means separate. This does not innately mean moral. When compared to the immoral, it means to separate from the immorality. In this context, there is no moral question. The holy, living sacrifice denotes a person that is set apart. It is acceptable or well pleasing to God. The conviction and the duty is to God, not to man. Through the Word of God, we are to determine the proper, active, set-apart sacrifice that we are to make. We, as a body of believers, can make that decision as a group or it can be a personal decision. The spiritual service of worship This is literally your reasonable (logical) service. Service is λατρεία latreia (lah-tray -ah) and means duties, labor. In the Old Testament, the priests had liturgical duties, specific functions. As believers, we also have a reasonable duty. Why? We need to consider the entire aforementioned section of the Book of Romans. So how do we now understand this verse: 1. Paul exemplifies this imploration 2. Paul does this based upon all the compassions that he has had from God 3. Our sacrifice needs to be understood properly a. Stand ready b. With the whole self c. Attitude of God as the authority d. Active and appropriate e. Setting myself apart for God (In my life always be ready to do God work) f. Praise/thankfulness to God g. Meeting the needs of others h. Sharing i. This is to God j. This is a duty (this is what our lives should be about) k. This is reasonable, logical (consider Romans 1-11)