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Scott's Reference Library
Romans 12:1 through Romans 12:8 (NIV)
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual
act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer 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.
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 measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has
one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the
others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s
gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is
serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging,
let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give
generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing
mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 1-2
The apostle having closed the part of his epistle wherein he argues and proves
various doctrines which are practically applied, here urges important duties
from gospel principles. He entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by
the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This
is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his
mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and
after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to
God: a reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and
which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind;
a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress
of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more
and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory.
The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of
forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which
soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts
of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins
in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and
conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God,
in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up
ourselves to God.
VERSES 3-8
Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it.
All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Head of the body, and the
common Centre of their unity. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and
called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. We are to do all
the good we can, one to another, and for the common benefit. If we duly thought
about the powers we have, and how far we fail properly to improve them, it would
humble us. But as we must not be proud of our talents, so we must take heed
lest, under a pretence of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in laying
out ourselves for the good of others. We must not say, I am nothing, therefore I
will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I
will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ.
Whatever our gifts or situations may be, let us try to employ ourselves humbly,
diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not seeking our own credit or profit,
but the good of many, for this world and that which is to come.