“Gospel Greetings & Church Meetings” (Romans 16:1-16)

¹I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon^[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. ²I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

Observation #1: Those who embody instruction from Church leadership are to receive honor & help.

–Phoebe was known as a “deacon” or servant, and helper. Apparently she was a wealthy person who helped support Paul’s ministry. Phoebe was highly regarded in the church, and she may have delivered this letter from Corinth to Rome. This provides evidence that women had important roles in the early churh. Cenchreae, the town where Phoebe lived, was the eastern port of Corinth, six miles from the city center.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 16:1-2}

³Greet Priscilla^[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. ⁴They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. ⁵Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. ⁷Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among^[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. ⁹Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. ¹⁰Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. ¹¹Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. ¹²Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. ¹³Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. ¹⁴Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. ¹⁵Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them. ¹⁶Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

Observation #2: The Church is a beautiful tapestry of diversity and quiet service.

–Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple who had become Paul’s close friends. They, along with all other Jews, had been expelled from Rome by the emperor (cf. Acts 18:2-3) and had moved to Corinth. There they met Paul and invited him to live with them. They were Christians before they met Paul and probably told him much about the Roman church. Like Paul, Priscilla and Aquila were missionaries. They helped believers in Ephesus (cf. Acts 18:18-28), in Rome when they were allowed to return, and again at Ephesus (cf. 2 Timothy 4:19).^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 16:3}
–Priscilla and Aquila ministered effectively behind the scenes. Their tools were hospitality, friendship, and person-to-person teaching. They were not public speakers, but private evangelists. For some of the Romans, their home was used for church meetings. Priscilla and Aquila challenge us with what a couple can do together to serve Christ. Do we regard our families and homes as gifts through which God can accomplish his work? How might God want to use your home and family to serve Him?^Ibid
–Paul’s personal greetings went to Romans and Greeks, Jews and Gentiles, men and women, prisoners and prominent citizens. The church’s base was broad, crossing cultural, social, and economic lines. From this list we learn that the Christian community was mobile. Though Paul had not yet ben to Rome, he had met these people in other places on his journeys.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 16:5-27}
–Andronicus and Junia may have been a husband and wife team. The fact that they were “outstanding among the apostles” could mean they had distinguished themselves as apostles. Paul notes that they were “fellow Jews” who at one time had been in prison with him.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 16:7}

Application: Honor & help those who embody instruction from Church leadership, while celebrating the Church’s diversity and quiet service.

===FOOTNOTES===
a–or servant
b–the word deacon refers here to a Christian designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in Phil. 1:1 and 1 Tim. 3:8,12
c–Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
d–or are esteemed by

“Three Keys To Gospel Growth” (Romans 15:22-33)

²²This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you. ²³But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, ²⁴I plan todo so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while.

Observation #1: Christians enjoy fellowship while partnering together in Jesus’ mission. (cf. 1 John 1:7; John 17; Acts 2)

–Paul wanted to visit the church at Rome, but he had delayed his visit because he had heard many good reports about the believers there and he knew they were doing well on their own. It was more important for him to preach in areas that had not yet heard the Good News.^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 15:22}
–Paul was referring to the completion of his work in Corinth, the city from which he most likely wrote this letter. Most of Paul’s three-month stay in Achaia (cf. Acts 20:3) was probably spent in Corinth. He believed that he had accomplished what God wanted him to do there, and he was looking forward to taking the gospel to new lands west of Rome. When Paul eventually went to Rome, however, it was as a prisoner (cf. Acts 28). Tradition says that Paul was released for a time, and that he used this opportunity to go to Spain to preach the Good News. This journey is not mentioned in the book of Acts.^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 15:23-24}

²⁵Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. ²⁶For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. ²⁷They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. ²⁸So after I have completed this task and have made me sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. ²⁹I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

Observation #2: Christians bless monetarily those whom we’ve benefitted from spiritually. (cf. Galatians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:9ff; 1 Timothy 5:18ff)

–If the Gentiles had received the gospel (“spiritual blessings”) originally from Jerusalem, surely they would want to offer financial help (“material blessings”).^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 15:27}
–Paul’s future plan was to go to Spain because Spain was at the very western end of the civilized world. He wanted to extend Christianity there. Also, Spain had many great minds and influential leaders in the Roman world (Lucan, Martial, Hadrian), and perhaps Paul thought Christianity would advance greatly in such an atmosphere.^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 15:28}

³⁰I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. ³¹Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, ³²so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. ³³The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Observation #3: Christians agonize in prayer on each other’s behalf for fruitful ministry. (cf. James 5:16; Romans 10:1; Romans 12:12; 2 Corinthians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 13:7,9; Ephesians 1:16; Ephesians 3:16)

–Too often we see prayer as a time for comfort, reflection, or making requests to God. But here Paul urges believers to join in his struggle by means of prayer. Prayer is a weapon that all believers should use in interceding for others. Many of us know believers should use in interceding for others. Many of us know believers who are living in difficult places in order to communicate the gospel. Sending them funds is part of joining them in their struggles, but prayer is also a crucial way of being with them. Missionaries strongly desire the prayers of those who have sent them out. Do your prayers reflect that struggle on their behalf?^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 15:30}
–This phrase sounds like it should signal the end of the book, and it does pronounce the end of Paul’s teaching. He concludes his letter, then, with personal greetings and remarks.^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 15:33}

Application: Practice fellowship, giving, and prayer to actively partner in advancing the Gospel.

“Accept, Prepare, Declare” (Romans 15:14-21)

¹⁴I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. ¹⁵Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me ¹⁶to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Observation #1: The Gospel makes us acceptable to God, preparing us for service.

¹⁷Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. ¹⁸I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done– ¹⁹by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. ²⁰It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. ²¹Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”^[a]

Observation #2: The Gospel is marked miraculously by God, to be shared with everyone.

–Paul says that he has “ambition.” Ambition can be a difficult topic for Christians because we see so many bad examples of ambitious people who claw their way to the top. But certainly that isn’t the kind of ambition one sees in Paul. Instead of looking out for himself and working hard for personal advancement, he was ambitious to serve God–for Paul that meant “to preach the gospel where Christ was not known.” Are you ambitious for God? Do you want, more than anything else, to please him and to do his will? Ask God for “holy ambition.”^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 15:20}

Application: Receive the Gospel, and trust God to miraculously enable you to share it.

Footnotes:
a–Isaiah 52:15 (see Septuagint)

“Diversity Plus Unity Results In God’s Glory” (Romans 15:1-13)

¹We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ²Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. ³For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”^{[a] 4}For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. ⁵May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, ⁶so that one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation #1: Believing Scripture inspires diversified unity to God’s glory.

–The knowledge of the Scriptures affects our attitude toward the present and the future. The more we know about what God has done in years past, the greater the confidence we have about what he will do in the days ahead. We should read our Bibles diligently to increase our trust that God’s will is best for us.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 15:4}

⁷Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ⁸For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews^[b] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed ⁹and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”^{[c] 10}Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”^{[d] 11}And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”^{[e] 12}And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”^{[f] 13}May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Observation #2: Extending Jesus’ mercy results in diversified unity to God’s glory.

–The Roman church was a diverse community. It was made up of Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free people, rich and poor, strong and weak. So it was difficult for them to accept one another. Accepting means taking people into our homes as well as into our hearts, sharing meals and activities, and avoiding racial and economic discrimination. We must go out of our way to avoid favoritism. Consciously spend time greeting those you don’t normally talk to, minimize differences, and seek common ground for fellowship. In this way you are accepting others as Christ has accepted you, and God is given glory.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 15:5-7}

Application: Extend mercy, as the Scriptures instruct, trusting God to supernaturally produce in you diversified unity, that abounds in hope to His glory.

Footnotes:
a–Psalm 69:9
b–Greek circumcision
c–2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49
d–Deuteronomy 32:43
e–Psalm 117:1
f–Isaiah 11:10 (see Septuagint)

“If You’ve Got It, Don’t Flaunt It” (Romans 14:13-23)

¹³Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. ¹⁴I am convicted, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. ¹⁵If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. ¹⁶Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸becuase someone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

Observation #1: The “Kingdom-Minded” abstain from freedoms when necessary.

–Both strong and weak Christians can cause their brothers and sisters to stumble. The strong but insensitive Christian may flaunt his or her freedom and intentionally offend others’ consciences. The scrupulous but weak Christian may try to fence others in with petty rules and regulations, thus causing dissension. Paul wants his readers to be both strong in the faith and sensitive to others’ needs. Because we are all strong in some areas and weak in others, we need constantly to monitor the effects of our behavior on others.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 14:13}
–Some Christians use an invisible weaker brother to support their own opinions, prejudices, or standards. “You must live by these standards,” they say, “or you will be offending the weaker brother.” In truth, the person would often be offending no one but the speaker. While Paul urges us to be sensitive to those whose faith may be harmed by our actions, we should not sacrifice our liberty in Christ just to satisfy the selfish motives of those who are trying to force their opinions on us. Neither fear them nor criticize them, but follow Christ as closely as you can.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 14:13-23}
–At the Jerusalem council (cf. Acts 15), the Jewish church in Jerusalem asked the Gentile church in Antioch not to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Paul was at the Jerusalem council, and he accepted this request, not because he felt that eating such meat was wrong in itself, but because this practice would deeply offend many Jewish believers. Paul did not think the issue was worth dividing the church over; his desire was to promote unity. So he concludes, “If anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.” Paul’s practice was to honor, as far as possible, the convictions of others. Believers are called to accept one another without judging our varied opinions. However, when the situation has to be faced, how should we deal with those who disagree with us? Paul’s response is that all believers should act in love so as to maintain peace in the church.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 14:14}

¹⁹Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. ²⁰Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. ²¹It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. ²²So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. ²³But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Observation #2: “Kingdom-Service” avoids judgmentalism without flaunting freedoms.

–Sin is not just a private matter. Everything we do affects others, and we have to think of them constantly. God created us to be interdependent, not independent. We who are strong in our faith must, without pride or condescension, treat others with love, patience, and self-restraint.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 14:20-21}
–We try to steer clear of actions forbidden by Scripture, of course, but sometimes Scripture is silent. Then we should follow our consciences. “Everything that does not come from faith is sin” means that to go against a conviction will leave a person with a guilty or uneasy conscience. When God shows us that something is wrong for us, we should avoid it. But we should not look down on other Christians who exercise their freedom in those areas.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 14:23}

Application: To be “Kingdom-Minded” in service to Jesus’ Church, stop asking others to adopt your convictions about non-essential beliefs.

“Minding Our Own Business In Worshipping Jesus” (Romans 14:1-12)

¹Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ²One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Observation #1: There is freedom of conscience in worshipping Jesus together.

–Who is weak in faith and who is strong? We are all weak in some areas and strong in others. Our faith is strong in an area if we can interact with sinful people without falling into their patterns. It is weak in an area if we must avoid certain activities, people, or places in order to protect our spiritual life. It is important to take a self-inventory in order to find out our strengths and weaknesses. Whenever in doubt, we should ask, “Can I do that without sinning? Can I influence others for good, rather than being influenced by them?” In areas of strength, we should not fear being defiled by the world; rather we should go and serve God. In areas of weakness, we need to be cautious. If we have a strong faith but shelter it, we are not doing Christ’s work in the world. If we have a weak faith but expose it, we are being extremely foolish.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 14:1}
–This verse assumes there will be differences of opinion in the church (disputable matters). Paul says we are not to quarrel about issues that are matters of opinion. Differences should not be feared or avoided, but accepted and handled with love. Don’t expect everyone, even in the best possible church, to agree on every subject. Through sharing ideas we can come to a fuller understanding of what the Bible teaches. Accept, listen to, and respect others. Differences of opinion need not cause division. They can be a source of learning and richness in our relationships.^Ibid
–What is weak faith? Paul is speaking about immature faith that has not yet developed the muscle it needs to stand against external pressures. For example, if a person who once worshiped idols were to become a Christian, he might understand perfectly well that Christ saved him through faith and that idols have no real power. Still, because of his past associations, he might be badly shaken if he ate meat that had been used in idol worship. If a person who once worshiped God on the required Jewish holy days were to become a Christian, he might well know that Christ saved him through faith, not through his keeping of the law. Still, when the festival days came, he might feel empty and unfaithful if he didn’t dedicate those days to God. Paul responds to both weak brothers in love. Both are acting according to their consciences, but their honest scruples do not need to be made into rules for the church. Certainly some issues are central to the faith and worth fighting for, but many are based on individual differences and should not be legislated. Our principle should be: In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in everything, love.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 14:1-23}
–Eating “anything” may refer to a strong Christian being free from dietary restrictions, or it may refer to eating meat offered to idols. The person weaker in the faith, however, may only eat vegetables and refuses to eat meat that has been offered to idols. but how would Christians end up eating meat that had been offered to idols? The ancient system of sacrifice was at the center of the religious, social, and domestic life of the Roman world. After a sacrifice was presented to a god in a pagan temple, only part of it was burned. The remainder was often sent to the market to be sold. Thus, a Christian might easily–even unknowingly–buy such meat in the marketplace or eat it at the home of a friend. Should a Christian question the source of his meat? Some thought there was nothing wrong with eating meat that had been offered to idols because idols were worthless and phony. Others carefully checked the source of their meat or gave up meat altogether, in order to avoid a guilty conscience. The problem was especially acute for Christians who had once been idol worshipers. For them, such a strong reminder of their pagan days might weaken their newfound faith.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 14:2}

⁵One person considers a day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. ⁶Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. ⁸If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ⁹For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. ¹⁰You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?^[a] Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.'”^{[b] 12}So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Observation #2: There is no freedom for judgmentalism in worshipping Jesus together.

–Each person is accountable to Christ, not to others. While the church must be uncompromising in its stand against activities that are expressly forbidden by Scripture (adultery, homosexual activity, murder, theft), it should not create additional rules and regulations and give them equal standing with God’s law. Many times Christians base their moral judgments on opinion, personal dislikes, or cultural bias rather than on the Word of God. When they do this, they show that their own faith is weak–they do not think that God is powerful enough to guide his children. When we stand before God and give a personal account of our life, we won’t be worried about what our Christian neighbor has done (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10)^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 14:10-12}

Application: Repent of judgmentalism as sin, preparing instead to give an account of your own behavior to God.

Footnotes:
a—The Greek word for “brother or sister” (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verses 13, 15 and 21.
b—Isaiah 45:23

“Why God Wants You In Debt” (Romans 13:8-14)

⁸Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. ⁹The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”^[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[b] 10}Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Observation #1: We owe everyone an ongoing love-debt.

–The NASB translation, “Owe nothing to anyone,” is misleading, because it contradicts Jesus’ teaching to loan to (“give”; “do not turn away from”) those who “want(s) to borrow from you (Matt. 5:43; Luke 6:35; cf. Exod. 22:25; Ps. 37:26). He implied that borrowing is not always wrong. The New Testament does not forbid borrowing, only the practice of charging exorbitant interest on loans and failing to pay debts (Matt. 25:27; Luke 19:23). There are two kinds of debts: those with the lender’s consent and those without his consent. It is the second type to which Paul apparently referred to here. The NIV’s “Let no debt remain outstanding” avoids the problem and gives the correct interpretation.^{“Dr. Constable’s Notes”, Dr. Thomas Constable, p. 191}
–Why is love for others a debt? We are permanently in debt to Christ for the lavish love he has poured out on us. The only way we can even begin to repay this debt is by fulfilling our obligation to love others in turn. Because Christ’s love will always be infinitely greater than ours, we will always have the obligation to love our neighbors^{Life Application Bible notes, Romans 13:8}
–Somehow many of us have gotten the idea that self-love is wrong. But if this were the case, it would be pointless to love our neighbors as ourselves. But Paul explains what he means by self-love. Even if you have low self-esteem, you probably don’t willingly let yourself go hungry. You take care of your body and may even exercise. You clothe yourself reasonably well. You make sure there’s a roof over your head. You try not to let yourself be cheated or injured. And you get angry if someone tries to ruin your marriage. This is the kind of love we need to have for our neighbors. Do we see that others are fed, clothed, and housed as well as they can be? Are we concerned about issues of social justice? Loving others as ourselves means actively working to see that their needs are met. Interestingly, people who focus on others rather than on themselves rarely suffer from low self-esteem.^{Life Application Bible notes, Romans 13:9}
–Christians must obey the law of love, which supersedes both religious and civil laws. How easy it is to excuse our indifference to others merely because we have no legal obligation to help them, and even to justify harming them if our actions are technically legal! But Jesus does not leave loopholes in the law of love. Whenever love demands it, we are to go beyond human legal requirements and imitate the God of love (cf. James 2:8-9; James 4:11; Peter 2:16-17)^{Life Application Bible notes, Romans 13:10}

¹¹And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. ¹²The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ¹³Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealously. ¹⁴Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.^[c]

Observation #2: We should pay this love-debt continually because Jesus is returning.

–The “night” refers to the present evil time. The “day” refers to the time of Christ’s return. Some people are surprised that Paul lists dissension and jealousy with the gross and obvious sins of drunkenness and sexual promiscuity. Like Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Paul considers attitudes as important as actions. Just as hatred leads to murder, so jealously leads to strife and lust to adultery. When Christ returns, he wants to find his people clean on the inside as well as on the outside.^{Life Application Bible notes, Romans 13:12-14}
–How do we “clothe” ourselves “with the Lord Jesus Christ”? First, we identify with Christ by being baptized (cf. Galatians 3:27). This shows our solidarity with other Christians and with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Second, we exemplify the qualities Jesus showed while he was here on earth (love, humility, truth, service). In a sense, we role-play what Jesus would do in our situation (cf. Ephesians 4:24-32; Colossians 3:10-17). We also must avoid those situations that open the door to gratifying sinful desires.^{Life Application Bible notes, Romans 13:14}

Application: Continually pay the love-debt which God has commanded, to everyone, because Jesus is returning.

Footnotes:
a – Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17-19,21
b – Leviticus 19:18
c – in contexts like this, the Greek word for “flesh” (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.

“The Trademark Of Temperance” (Romans 13:1-7)

–Christians understand Romans 13 in different ways. All Christians agree that we are to live at peace with the state as long as the state allows us to live by our religious convictions. For hundreds of years, however, there have been at least three interpretations of how we are to do this: 1) Some Christians believe that the state is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with it as possible. Although they should be good citizens as long as they can do so without compromising their beliefs, they shoudl not work for the government, vote in elections, or serve in the military. 2) Others believe that God has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in others. Christians can be loyal to both and can work for either. They should not, however, confuse the two. In this view, church and state are concerned with two totally different spheres–the spiritual and the physical–and thus complement each other but do not work together. 3) Still others believe that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better. They can do this politically, by electing Christian or other high-principled leaders. They can also do this morally, by serving as an influence for good in society. In this view, church and state ideally work together for the good of all. None of these views advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey the government’s laws or regulations unless those laws clearly require you to violate the moral standards revealed by God. Wherever we find ourselves, we must be responsible citizens, as well as responsible Christians.^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 13:1-14}

¹Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ²Conequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Observation #1: God’s ultimately grants authority to governemnts. Typically, submitting to them is submitting to God’s ordinance, preventing judgement.

–Are there times when we should not obey the government? We should never allow government to force us to disobey God. Jesus and his apostles never disobeyed the governemnt for personal reasons; when they disobeyed, it was in order to follow God’s higher law. Their disobedience was not cheap: They were threatened, beaten, thrown into jail, tortured, or executed for their convictions. Like them, if we are compelled to disobey, we must be ready to accept the consequences.^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 13:1}

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reah out for him and find him, through he is not far from any one of us. (Acts 17:26-27)

³For rulers hold no terror for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. ⁴For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Observation #2: We should predominantly submit to government’s authority, which typically commends good conduct and punishes evil.

–Willingly or unwittingly, people in authority are God’s servants. They are allowed their positions in order to do good. When authorities are unjust, however, upright people are afraid. When authorities are just, people who are doing right have nothing to fear. This provides our principal motivation to pray for our leaders. Praying for those in authority over us will also mean that we will watch them closely. If we pray diligently for our leaders, we will be functioning as God’s sentinels.^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 13:3-4}

For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:19-21)

⁵Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. ⁶This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Observation #3: We should demonstrate our submission outwardly by paying taxes and inwardly by paying respect and honor.

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. (2 Timothy 2:3-4)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. (Titus 3:1-2)

Application: Temper all moral objections against government by believing God’s sovereign instructions about, and intentions for it.

“Accept No Substitutes” (Romans 12:9-21)

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Observation #1: Authentic love: Activates enthusiastic, self-sacrificing goodness toward one another.

–Most of us have learned how to pretend to love others–how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of others’ needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice. But God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money, and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ in your town does. Look for people who need your love, and look for ways you and your fellow believers can love your community for Christ.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:9, 10}
–We can honor others in one of two ways. One involves ulterior motives. We honor our bosses so they will reward us, our employees so they will work harder, the wealthy so they will contribute to our cause, the powerful so they will use theri power for us and not against us. God’s other way involve love. As Christians, we honor people because they have been created in God’s image, because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and because they have a unique contribution to make to Christ’s church. Does God’s way of honoring others sound too difficult for your competitive nature? Why not try to outdo one another in showing honor? Put others first!^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:10}
–Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host–the home must be spotless; the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and good-natured. Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guests. Their needs–whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance–are the primary concern. Hospitality can happen in a messy home. It can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is canned soup. It can even happen while the host and the guest are doing chores together. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are too tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:13}

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. ¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^{[a] says the Lord. 20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[b] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.}

Observation #2: Authentic love: Responds to challenging people and situations with humility, understanding, and generosity.

–Many people use their contracts and relationships for selfish ambition. They select those people who will help them climb the social ladder. Christ demonstrated and taught that we should treat all people with respect–those of a different race, the handicapped, the poor, young and old, male and female. We must never consider others as being beneath us. Paul says we need to live in harmony with others and not be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. Are you able to do humble tasks with others? Do you welcome conversation with unattractive, non-prestigious people? Are you willing to befriend newcomers and entry-level people? Or do you relate only to those who will help you get ahead?^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:16}
–These verses summarize the core of Christian living. If we love someone the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive. If we have experienced God’s grace, we will want to pass it on to others. And remember, grace is undeserved favor. By giving an enemy a drink, we’re not excusing his misdeeds. We’re recognizing him, forgiving him, and loving him in spite of his sins–just as Christ did for us.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:17-21}
–In this day of constant lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, Paul’s command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him. Why does Paul tell us to forgive our enemies? 1) Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation. 2) It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways. 3) By contrast, repaying evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy. Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:19-21}
–Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiving toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions. If appropriate, tell this person that you would like to heal your relationship. Lend a helping hand. Send him or her a gift. Smile at him or her. Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.^Ibid
–What does it mean to “heap burning coals” on someone’s head? This may refer to an Egyptian tradition of carrying a pan of burning charcoal on one’s head as a public act of repentance. By referring to this proverb, Paul was saying that we should treat our enemies with kindness so that they will become ashamed and turn from their sins. The best way to get rid of enemies is to turn them into friends.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:20}

Application: We before me for He.

===FOOTNOTES===
a–Deuteronomy 32:35
b–Proverbs 25:21,22

“What Is Genuine Worship?” (Romans 12:1-8)

¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Observation #1: We should continually be exchanging our thoughts for God’s.

–When sacrifiing an animal according to God’s law, a priest would kill the animal, cu it in pieces, and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear the obedience from the heart was much more important (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6; Amos 5:21-24). God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals, as living sacrifices–daily laying aside our own desires to follow him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him to guide us. We do this out of gratitude that our sins have been forgiven.^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 12:1}
–God has good, pleasing and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey him. Because he wants only what is best for us, and because he gave his Son to make our new life possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for his service.^{Life Application Bible study notes; Romans 12:1-2}
–Paul warned Christians, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world,” which is selfish and corrupting. Many Christians wisely decide that a large portion of the world’s behavior is off-limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world, however must go even deeper than just behavior and customs–it must be firmly planted in the values rooted in our mind: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our mind are we truly transformed.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:2}

³For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Observation #2: We should operate within our gifting to maximize our usefulness to God.

–Healthy self-esteem is important because some of us think too little of ourselves; on the other hand, some of us overestimate ourselves. The key to an honest and accurate self-evaluation is knowing the basis of our self-worth–our identity in Christ. Apart from him, we aren’t capable of very much by eternal standards; in him, we are valuable and capable of worthy service. Evaluating yourself by the worldly standards of success and achievement can cause you to think too much about your worth in the eyes of others and thus miss your true value in God’s eyes.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:3}
–Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach how Christians should live and work together. Just as the parts of the body function under the direction of the brain, so Christians are to work together under the command and authority of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:1-16)^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:4-5}
–God gives us gifts so we can build up his church. To use them effectively, we must 1) realize that all gifts and abilities come from God; 2) understand that not everyone has the same gifts; 3) know who we are and what we do best; 4) dedicate our gifts to God’s service and not to our personal success; 5) be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from God’s service. God’s gifts differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to his wisdom and graciousness, not according to our faith. Our role is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Christ has given us.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:6}
–Prophesying in Scripture is not always predicting the future. Often, it means preaching God’s messages (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:1-3)^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:6}
–Look at this list and imagine the kinds of people who would have each gift. Prophets are often bold and articulate. Servers (those in ministry) are faithful and loyal. Teachers are clear thinkers. Encouragers know how to motivate others. Givers are generous and trusting. Leaders are good organizers and managers. Those who show mercy are caring people who are happy to give their time to others. It would be difficult for one person to embody all these gifts. An assertive prophet would not usually make a good counselor, and a generous giver might fail as a leader. When you identify your own gifts (and this list is far from complete), ask how you can use them to build up God’s family. At the same time, realize that your gifts can’t do the work of the church all alone. Be thankful for people whose gifts are completely different from yours. Let your strengths balance their weaknesses, and be grateful that their abilities make up for your deficiencies. Together you can build Christ’s church.^{Life Application Bible study notes, Romans 12:6-8}

Application: Daily exchange your will for God’s in accordance with your giftedness.

===FOOTNOTES===
a–or the
b–or to provide for others