Romans Chapter 12 can be divided into three distinct parts.
1. Verses 1-2 deal with our personal transformation.
2. Verses 3-8 deal with our service in the church
3. Verses 9-21 deal with our daily conduct
Watch out for those things as you read this chapter.
A Living Sacrifice
Therefore, 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. 2 Do 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.
--We know Paul is coming to the conclusion of an argument because he begins the chapter with the word, "Therefore." So expect a conclusion of what he has been talking about.
-- A lot of people quote Verses 1-2. Let's pick those two scriptures apart. Notice, Paul is continuing to address his audience as "brothers and sisters." That means, they are Christians like he is.
-- "In view of God's mercy" means since God has done so much for you when you didn't deserve it..."
-- "To offer your bodies as a living sacrifice." This is in reference to the Old Testament way of atoning for sin. People offered up animals to be killed on the altar. Since we are no longer under the law, we do not have to sacrifice animals. Instead, Paul suggests that we offer up ourselves, our own bodies as a living sacrifice like the animals were offered up to God. When we do that it will be holy and pleasing to God. That is the least we can do. Paul says it a proper way to worship.
-- After Paul tells us what to do, he then tells us what NOT to do. He says do not do what the people of the world do. We can be changed by having a different mind. Then we God will approve of what we do.
--The last part of the scripture is an aside. We know that by the dash. Those are Paul's words; not words God gave him to give us. Paul gives three levels of pleasing God. It would be God good will, his pleasing will and the highest is his perfect will. We should strive for his perfect will in case we fall short and fall down to his pleasing or good will.
--Notice there is also an aside from Paul in Verse 1.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For 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. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
In the above section, Paul advises believers to not think of yourself more highly than we ought. Instead, we should think of ourselves with sober judgment.
-- Paul compared the organs of one's own body to the members of a local assembly. Everyone has given everyone different gifts, and people are to use those gifts not for one's self but for the entire body of Christ.
--Paul then lists the different gifts that should be in every church. After he lists them, he tells people to use their gifts.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do 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,” says the Lord.
20 On 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.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
--Verse 9-21 seems to be self-explanatory where Paul gives instructions about our daily conduct. Some of his suggestions will be on the upcoming quiz.
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