Rom. 12 Rom. 12:1–3 Paul exhorteth to holiness and conformity to God’s will; and to think soberly of the gifts allotted every man respectively. Rom. 12:4–5 We are all members of one body in Christ, Rom. 12:6–8 and should diligently exercise our several gifts for the common benefit. Rom.

Hitherto the apostle hath discoursed of matters of faith; in this and the following chapters he sets down precepts of holy life. By the mercies of God: he useth the word in the plural number, to amplify and set forth the manifold mercies of God, in election, justification, adoption, &c.: q.d.

Be not conformed to this world; do not fashion or accommodate yourselves to the corrupt principles, customs, or courses of worldly and wicked men; and what they are, you will find in Rom. 13:13, Eph. 4:18–19, 1 Pet. 4:3. You have somewhat the like counsel, Ex. 23:2, 1 Pet. 1:14.

Before he exhorted to a holy life in general, now he comes to more particular exhortations. I say; i.e. I enjoin and command; see Gal. 5:16. I do not only beseech you, as Rom. 12:1, but I also require you, as one that hath authority. Through the grace given unto me:. (see Rom.

These verses are a reason against arrogancy. All Christians are members of one and the same body; therefore, they should not pride themselves in their gifts, but employ them for the common good.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us; or, seeing we have different gifts and offices, according as the grace of God hath bestowed them upon us, let us use them aright.

Ministry; under this word are comprehended all ordinary ecclesiastical functions, which afterwards divideth into two sorts; the first relating to the word; the second, to other pious works. Let us wait on our ministering: the words, let us wait, are not in the text, but fitly supplied: q.d.

Exhortation: see the notes on the foregoing verse. He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; i.e. he that hath the office of collecting and distributing the church alms, (which was the deacons’ work or charge, Acts 6:1;c.), let him discharge it with simplicity, or with singleness of heart; (…

The former exhortations respect church officers in particular; those that follow concern all Christians in general. He begins with love, because that is a radical grace; other graces, and gracious actions, do spring from it, and must be accompanied with it.

Be kindly affectioned one to another; Christians ought to have such affection one to another, as parents have to their children, and as all creatures have to their young: so much the word here used imports. In honour preferring one another: this clause is expounded by Phil. 2:3.

Not slothful in business; this clause may be expounded by Eccles. 9:10; q.d. In all the duties of thy particular and general calling, in every thing that respects the glory of God, thine own or neighbours’ good, take heed of slothfulness: see Matt. 25:26–27, Heb. 6:12.

Rejoicing in hope; i.e. in hope of deliverance here in due time, and of eternal salvation hereafter: See Poole on “Rom. 5:2”. Continuing instant in prayer; be instant and constant in the duty. A metaphor from hounds, that give not over the game till they have got it: see Luke 18:1, Eph. 6:18, Col.

Necessity; the word signifies uses. The saints must be succoured in things useful, as well as necessary. This apostle, in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians, spends two whole chapters about this sort of charity, in relieving the poor saints; viz. 2 Cor. 8—9, Gal. 6:10, Heb. 13:16.

Bless them which persecute you; i.e. pray for them, and wish well to them. This is borrowed from Matt. 5:44, Luke 6:28; see the like in 1 Pet. 3:9. This is commended to us by the example of Christ himself, Isa. 53:12, Luke 23:34, 1 Pet.

i.e. Be touched with your neighbour’s good or evil, as if it were your own. The reason of this sympathy, or fellow feeling, is rendered by the apostle, 1 Cor.

Be of the same mind one toward another: this exhortation respects not so much unity in judgment, as in affection: q.d. Bear the same good respect to others, as others bear to thee; let there be a mutual agreement in your desires and good wishes one for another: see Rom. 15:5, Phil. 2:2, 1 Pet. 3:8.

Recompense to no man evil for evil; our Saviour teacheth the same doctrine in other words, Matt. 5:39–40; see parallel places in Prov. 20:22, 1 Thess. 5:15, 1 Pet. 3:9. See more against retaliating injuries and private revenge in the three last verses of this chapter.

The duty to which he exhorts in this verse, is a peaceable and quiet behaviour towards all men, as well infidels as Christians; those who are bad, as well as those who are good. The like exhortations we have, Heb. 12:14.

Dearly beloved; he useth this friendly compellation, the better to persuade to the following duty, which is so hard to flesh and blood. Avenge not yourselves: you had an exhortation to this purpose, Rom.

If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: q.d. Instead of rendering evil for evil to thine adversary, do him good for evil: see following verse. Thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head; i.e. either make him relent, or bring down the greater vengeance from God upon him.

This verse is a Divine aphorism: therein the apostle anticipates an objection. Some might be ready to say, If we should follow this advice we should be counted cowards and dastards, &c. To this he answers, that it is the ready way to be triumphers and conquerors.