Living Sacrifices and Renewed Minds
Study note
In light of God's mercies described in chapters 1 through 11, Paul calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is their true and proper worship. Rather than being conformed to the pattern of this world, they are to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, enabling them to discern and approve God's good, pleasing, and perfect will.
1 I urge you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
One Body with Many Gifts
Study note
Paul calls for sober self-assessment based on the measure of faith God has given. Just as a body has many parts with different functions, believers are one body in Christ with diverse gifts. Whether prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, or showing mercy, each gift is to be exercised faithfully and generously. No one should think too highly of themselves, for each member belongs to and depends on the others.
3 Because of the grace God gave me, I want to tell every one of you: do not think more highly of yourself than you should. Be honest about yourself, and measure yourself by the amount of faith God has given you. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 A human body has many different parts, and they do not all do the same thing. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 That is how it works for us. Even though there are many of us, we are all one body because we belong to Christ. And we each belong to one another. So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 God has given each of us different abilities because of his grace. If your gift is speaking a message from God, use it as much as your faith allows. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 If your gift is helping others, then help. If your gift is teaching, then teach. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 If your gift is lifting people up, then lift them up. If you are a giver, give with an open hand. If you are a leader, lead with energy. If you show kindness to people who are hurting, do it with a smile. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Marks of Genuine Love
Study note
Paul provides a rapid-fire series of exhortations that define authentic Christian character. Love must be genuine, hating evil and clinging to good. Believers are to be devoted to one another, eager in service, joyful in hope, patient in trouble, and constant in prayer. They are to share with those in need, practice hospitality, bless persecutors, rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Rather than repaying evil with evil, they are to overcome evil with good.
9 Make sure your love is the real deal. Turn away from evil and grab hold of what is good. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Care about each other like family. When it comes to showing respect, try to outdo one another. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Do not slack off in what you do. Let your spirit burn with passion. Keep serving the Lord. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Let hope make you joyful. Stay steady when things get tough. Never stop praying. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 When God's people are in need, share what you have with them. Always be ready to welcome others into your home. Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 When people treat you badly, ask God to bless them. Yes, bless them -- do not curse them. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 When someone is celebrating, celebrate with them. When someone is crying, cry with them. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Get along with each other. Do not chase after things that make you look important. Instead, spend time with people others overlook. Do not act like you know it all. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 When someone does something bad to you, do not do something bad back. Think about what everyone would agree is the right thing to do, and do that. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 Do everything you can to live at peace with everyone around you. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dear friends, never try to get even with someone. Leave that in God's hands. The scriptures say, "I am the one who settles scores. I will pay people back," says the Lord. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Instead, the scriptures say, "If the person who hates you is hungry, give them food. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. When you do this, it will be like putting burning coals on their head." Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.