Romans Part 38 – Romans 12:1-5
Verse 1
• “I beseech you” – This shows we are under grace and not law. Under Law you were commanded to keep the law. Under grace Paul beseeches the Romans to live righteously – 1Cor 1:10, Eph 4:1
• “therefore” – Likely referring back to Rom 8:39 since chapter 9-11 were a digression - Otherwise referring to 11:36.
• “brethren” – Speaking to a group now (Rom 12:3) vs the “thou’s” and “ye’s” of chapter 11
• “by the mercies of God” – Rom 4-8, 11:32, Titus 3:5.
• “that ye present your bodies” – Not soul or spirit, but your body – 1Cor 6:15,19-20. Your body is what performs Gods will – 1Thess 4:3, 5:18, 1Tim 2:4-7, 2Cor 5:20.
• “living sacrifice” – Rom 6:3-4,6,11, 2Cor 13:4 – In Christ.
• “holy, acceptable unto God” – Which can only be done by Christ in you – Gal 2:20, Col 1:27-28
• “which is your reasonable service” - It’s logical – 2Cor 5:14-15 – Would also fit with Paul referring back to Rom 8:39 here.
Verse 2
• “Be not conformed to this world” – The form of the world – Eph 2:2-3, 1John2:16.
• “but be ye transformed” – Transformed to a new man – 2Cor 5:17. Col 3:1-12, Eph 4:22-24.
• “by the renewing of your mind” – 2Cor 2:16, Phil 2:1-8, 19-22.
• “that ye may prove” – Discern, examine.
• “good, acceptable, perfect, will of God” – When we transform by renewing our mind by Gods Word, we can discern and do Gods will in our bodies. The will of God here is having the same mind of Christ to mind the things of others. See vs 3 & 10
• These verses are to “brethren” who are already saved. Not for salvation.
Verse 3
• “For I say, through the grace given unto me” – 1Cor 3:10, Eph 3:2,7
• “to every man that is among you” – Paul is speaking to the body of Christ no longer dealing with Israel and their covenants.
• “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think” – Phil 2:8, Col 3:12 – The mind of Christ
• “but to think soberly” – to have a sound mind, to exercise self control – 9:19,26-27, 2Tim 1:7.
• “according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith” – Two ways to read this.
I. God has given every one the capacity and ability to have faith in His word.
II. The Gospel that God has given in this dispensation for us to believe (we have been given a portion of faith in history) – Rom 10:17, Gal 3:2, Rom 4:19-25, Rom 1:17, 12:6.
Verse 4-5
• One body, many members, different roles within the body. God had given gifts to perform these roles to edify the body and establish the mystery church – Eph 4:11-16
• Paul is dealing with gifts here, this is why he tells them to be humble and not puffed up over their gift – 1Cor 12:14-26.
• “are one body, in Christ” – Not a tree, but a body. Members one of another, which is why we are to have the same mind and to mind the things of others.
• This is the first time in scripture that you find any reference to the church, the mystery body of Christ, a teaching only found in Paul’s epistles, which is telling.
