Romans 12:3

II. THE CYCLE OF CHRISTIAN DUTIES, SPRINGING FROM THIS FAITH.

1. Duties as to the unity of the Church are the following two , Romans 12:3-16 :

1. A Tempered Filling each one’s Official or Charismatic Place in the Church Unity , Romans 12:3-8 .

3. I say The apostle’s frequent phrase of apostolic authority in this epistle.

Through the grace Of inspired apostleship, the highest position, both official and charismatic, in the young Church.

Every man Official or unofficial. He considers the official first, and the both classes together in 9-21.

More highly To the peace and unity of every Church nothing is more hostile than the over self-esteem by which individuals become arrogant, assuming, and contentions for personal opinions and rank. The special charisms or gifts of the apostolic age did not secure the very possessors of them from these disturbing qualities. Hence the apostle’s striking comparison of even the charismatic Church to a living body where every limb spontaneously and contentedly performs its own part for the corporate interest. The apostle’s play upon the Greek words φρονειν and σωφρονειν can perhaps be no better rendered into English than by Alford, as follows: “Not to be high minded above that which he ought to be minded, but to be so minded as to be sober minded.” Doubtless the unique word methods of Paul were adopted for the purpose of arresting the attention and impressing the memory.

Measure of faith The measure of endowing and qualifying faith.