George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Romans 12:16
Condescending to the humble, in the spirit of charity and sweetness. See Luke ii. 48. (Witham) read more
Condescending to the humble, in the spirit of charity and sweetness. See Luke ii. 48. (Witham) read more
9-16 The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their children; which is more tender and natural than any other; unforced,... read more
Romans 12 THUS Romans 11.0 ends very much as Romans 8.0 ended. In both we have the purpose of God and His electing mercy. Small wonder then that chapter 12 opens with an appeal based upon the mercies of God. In this way we commence the hortatory and practical section of the epistle. There is only one thing to do in response to the abounding compassion which has reached us in the Gospel we present our bodies to God as a sacrifice livingly devoted to Him. This is reasonable, or intelligent,... read more
The Christian's conduct in his personal relations: v. 9. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. v. 10. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another; v. 11. not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; v. 12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; v. 13. distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. v. 14. Bless them... read more
Second Section.—The proper conduct of Christians in all their personal relations: to the brethren; in their own life; to the needy; to guests; to every body, even toward enemies.Romans 12:9-219Let love be without dissimulation [your love be unfeigned]. Abhor26 that 10which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love [In brotherly love27 be affectionate one to another, literally, be as blood relatives]; in honour preferring one another; 11Not... read more
Romans STILL ANOTHER TRIPLET Rom_12:16 . We have here again the same triple arrangement which has prevailed through a considerable portion of the context. These three exhortations are linked together by a verbal resemblance which can scarcely be preserved in translation. In the two former the same verb is employed: and in the third the word for ‘wise’ is cognate with the verb found in the other two clauses. If we are to seek for any closer connection of thought we may find it first in... read more
Living as a Christian Romans 12:9-21 In this section the Apostle shows how the great principle of consecration must affect the details of conduct. It is most necessary to insist on these practical issues. At some impressive religious convention, where the vision of a surrendered and transfigured life is presented, sensitive souls are led to make the vows and claim the plane of life which have been presented; but on their return to the commonplaces, there is no perceptible improvement in... read more
The word "therefore" links all that is now to be said with everything that has gone before. Because of the grace of God, the believer is called to certain attitudes and actions. The very first of these is personal abandonment to God. In what sense is it possible to present the body to God? The true ideal is to use it in all its powers according to the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The spirit is evidently God's. The body, therefore, is presented to God. The mind is thus renewed... read more
A MUCH-NEEDED PRECEPT‘Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly.’ Romans 12:16 (R.V.) I. Here, in the text, is one of those precepts which, rightly understood, is one of the most practical we can set ourselves to master (in the formation of Christian character). The wording is taken advisedly from our New Version, which is nearer to the original than that of the Authorised Version, but nevertheless fails to convey its full meaning. ‘Set not your mind on high... read more
Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Romans 12:6-18
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) Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; (8) Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (9) Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (10) Be kindly... read more