Letter to the Romans 1

Paul and the Practice of Paul and the Practice of ChristianityChristianity

Looking at Romans 12

Letter to the Romans 2

Introduction: 12:1,2Introduction: 12:1,2

“Therefore” () having completed the doctrinal section and defended the righteousness of God, Paul seeks to explain the life of faith.

Paul appeals (as in Eph 4:1; 1 Cor 4:16) for “transformity” rather than conformity in the language of Jewish sacrificial worship.

Letter to the Romans 3

12:3-21 Personal ethics (1)12:3-21 Personal ethics (1)

(1) 3-8 The exercise of gifts “by the grace given me” towards mutual interdependence.– Prophecy– Service– Teaching

Letter to the Romans 4

– Exhortation– Giving (in finance)– Giving (in help)– Acts of mercy

Letter to the Romans 5

12:3-21 Personal ethics (2)12:3-21 Personal ethics (2)(2) 9-13 The Law of Love expressed in

various activities– Love (agape) includes the sense of volition and

intellect– It inspires mutual affection (v10)– It “stays on high alert” (v11), never losing its

buzz.– It stays hopeful, endures suffering, perseveres

in prayer, shares the needs of the family

Letter to the Romans 6

12:3-21 Personal ethics (3)12:3-21 Personal ethics (3)

(3) 14-21 looks beyond the Christian family– Reminiscent of Matt 5:44– Sharing joy and sorrow– Living in harmony: “Aspire not to lofty tasks

but follow the stream of lowly duties” (David Smith).

– Peace (18) as much as possible!

Letter to the Romans 7

12:19-21: A word on 12:19-21: A word on VengeanceVengeance

“Leave it to the wrath of God”; this suggests – (1) that we leave the exercise of judgement to

God as in Deut 32:35, or– (2) that we should let the principle of

retribution inherent in the moral universe pursue its course (cf 1:18)

Letter to the Romans 8

Vv20-21 suggest the first. Mercy is the opposite of retaliation, giving a “burning sense of shame”. Paul quotes Prv 25:21f but omits the last bit “and the Lord shall reward you”. Paul develops the meaning: “the best way to get rid of an enemy is to turn him into a friend” (Bruce).