Chapter 12:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
Romans 12
Verse 1. I exhort you - St. Paul uses to suit his exhortations to the
doctrines he has been delivering. So here the general use from the
whole is contained in the first and second verses. The particular
uses follow, from the third verse to the end of the Epistle. By the
tender mercies of God - The whole sentiment is derived from
Romans. The expression itself is particularly opposed to "the
wrath of God," chap. i, 18. It has a reference here to the entire
gospel, to the whole economy of grace or mercy, delivering us
from "the wrath of God," and exciting us to all duty. To present -
So chap. vi, 13; xvi, 19; now actually to exhibit before God. Your
bodies - That is, yourselves; a part is put for the whole; the rather,
as in the ancient sacrifices of beasts, the body was the whole.
These also are particularly named in opposition to that vile abuse
of their bodies mentioned, chap. i, 24. Several expressions follow,
which have likewise a direct reference to other expressions in the
same chapter. A sacrifice - Dead to sin and living - By that life
which is mentioned, chap. i, 17; vi, 4, &c. Holy - Such as the holy
law requires, chap. vii, 12. Acceptable - chap. viii, 8. Which is
your reasonable service - The worship of the heathens was utterly
unreasonable, chap. i, 18, &c.; so was the glorying of the Jews,
chap. ii, 3, &c. But a Christian acts in all things by the highest
reason, from the mercy of God inferring his own duty.
Verse 2. And be not conformed - Neither in judgment, spirit, nor
behaviour. To this world - Which, neglecting the will of God,
entirely follows its own. That ye may prove - Know by sure trial;
which is easily done by him who has thus presented himself to
God. What is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God -
The will of God is here to be understood of all the preceptive part
of Christianity, which is in itself so excellently good, so
acceptable to God, and so perfective of our natures.
Verse 3. And I say - He now proceeds to show what that will of God is.
Through the grace which is given to me - He modestly adds this,
lest he should seem to forget his own direction. To every one that
is among you - Believers at Rome. Happy, had they always
remembered this! The measure of faith - Treated of in the first and
following chapters, from which all other gifts and graces flow.
Verse 5. So we - All believers. Are one body - Closely connected
together in Christ, and consequently ought to be helpful to each
other.
Verse 6. Having then gifts differing according to the grace which is
given us - Gifts are various: grace is one. Whether it be prophecy
- This, considered as an extraordinary gift, is that whereby
heavenly mysteries are declared to men, or things to come
foretold. But it seems here to mean the ordinary gift of
expounding scripture. Let us prophesy according to the analogy of
faith - St. Peter expresses it, "as the oracles of God;" according to
the general tenor of them; according to that grand scheme of
doctrine which is delivered therein, touching original sin,
justification by faith, and present, inward salvation. There is a
wonderful analogy between all these; and a close and intimate
connection between the chief heads of that faith "which was once
delivered to the saints." Every article therefore concerning which
there is any question should be determined by this rule; every
doubtful scripture interpreted according to the grand truths which
run through the whole.
Verse 7. Ministering - As deacons. He that teacheth - Catechumens; for
whom particular instructers were appointed. He that exhorteth -
Whose peculiar business it was to urge Christians to duty, and to
comfort them in trials.
Verse 8. He that presideth - That hath the care of a flock. He that
showeth mercy - In any instance. With cheerfulness - Rejoicing
that he hath such an opportunity.
Verse 9. Having spoken of faith and its fruit, ver. 3, &c., he comes now
to love. The ninth, tenth, and eleventh verses refer to chapter the
seventh; the twelfth verse to chapter the eighth; the thirteenth
verse, of communicating to the saints, whether Jews or gentiles, to
chapter the ninth, &c. Part of the sixteenth verse is repeated from
chap. xi, 25. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good
- Both inwardly and outwardly, whatever ill-will or danger may
follow.
Verse 10. In honour preferring one another - Which you will do, if you
habitually consider what is good in others, and what is evil in
yourselves.
Verse 11. Whatsoever ye do, do it with your might. In every business
diligently and fervently serving the Lord - Doing all to God, not to
man.
Verse 12. Rejoicing in hope - Of perfect holiness and everlasting
happiness. Hitherto of faith and love; now of hope also, see the
fifth and eighth chapters; afterwards of duties toward others;
saints, ver. 13 persecutors, ver. 14 friends, strangers, enemies, ver.
15, &c.
Verse 13. Communicate to the necessities of the saints - Relieve all
Christians that are in want. It is remarkable, that the apostle,
treating expressly of the duties flowing from the communion of
saints, yet never says one word about the dead. Pursue hospitality
- Not only embracing those that offer, but seeking opportunities to
exercise it.
Verse 14. Curse not - No, not in your heart.
Verse 15. Rejoice - The direct opposite to weeping is laughter; but this
does not so well suit a Christian.
Verse 16. Mind not high things - Desire not riches, honour, or the
company of the great.
Verse 17. Provide - Think beforehand; contrive to give as little offense
as may be to any.
Verse 19. Dearly beloved - So he softens the rugged spirit. Revenge not
yourselves, but leave that to God. Perhaps it might more properly
be rendered, leave room for wrath; that is, the wrath of God, to
whom vengeance properly belongs. Deut. xxxii, 35
Verse 20. Feed him - With your own hand: if it be needful, even put
bread into his mouth. Heap coals of fire upon his head - That part
which is most sensible. "So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By
heaping coals of fire upon its head; In the kind warmth the metal
learns to glow, And pure from dross the silver runs below." Prov.
xxv, 21, &c.
Verse 21. And if you see no present fruit, yet persevere. Be not
overcome with evil - As all are who avenge themselves. But
overcome evil with good. Conquer your enemies by kindness and
patience.
Chapter 12:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Luther
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Acts 1 Corinthians
This version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible is a derivative of an electronic version, Copyright 1997, by Sulu D. Kelley. All rights reserved. Used by permission. It may not be modified or used commercially without permission of Wesleyan Heritage Publishing and Sulu Kelley. A special thanks to Mr. Kelley and Wesleyan Heritage Publishing for permission to create and post this version of Wesley's Notes on the Bible.
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