Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 2 · Chapter 12 · Section 1 – Section 3
1. The text with the diuerse readings.
1. I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present (giuegive vp B. G.) your bodies a liuing sacrifice, holy and acceptable vntounto God, which is your reasonable service (of God. G. ad.)
2 And be ye not fashioned like to this world (fashion not your selues. G.) but be ye transformed. Be Gr. (not reformed. L. or changed. G.) the renewing of your mind (sense. L. rods, minde. Gr.) that ye may prooue what the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God is.
3 For thorough the grace that is giuen vntounto me, I say to euerie one beeing among you, that no man vnderstand (thinke. S. esteeme of himselfe. V.B. be ouerwise. L. Be. foreign, signifieth, to hauehave an ouerweening opinion, as though one knewe more then indeede he knoweth) aboue that which is meere to vnderstand: but that he vnderstand (behaue himselfe discreetly, B.) according to sobrietie, as God hath dealt to eueryevery one the measure of faith.
4 For as in one bodie we hauehave many members, but all members hauehave not the same office, (action, foreign, Gr.)
5 So we beeing many, are one bodie in Christ, and eueryevery one one anothers members.
6 Seeing then that we hauehave (hauing then. Gr.) gifts, according to the grace giuen vntounto vsus, diuerse: whether prophesie, let vsus prophesie, according to the proportion, Be. (portion. G.V. measure. B. reason. L. analogie. Gr.) of faith.
7 Or an office, (or ministrie, Gr.) let vsus be occupied in ministring: or he that teacheth, in teaching.
8 Or he that exhorteth, in exhortation: he that distributeth, let him doe it with singlenes, B. (simplicitie, foreign,) he that ruleth with diligence, he that sheweth merciemercy with chearefulnes.
9 Let louelove be without dissimulation: abhorre (be abhorring or hating. Gr.) euill, and cleaue vntounto good.
10 Be louingly affected with brotherly louelove one toward an other: in giuing of honour goe one before an other.
11 Not slothfull in endeauour: (to doe seruice, G. in busines, B. foreign, in care, studie, endeavour) seruent in the spirit, seruing the Lord,
12 Reioycing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing (instant, L.V. B. but foreign signifieth rather to continue with strength) in prayer,
13 Communicating, Gr. (distributing, G. B.) to the necessities (or vses, Be.) of the Saints: following hospitalitie. (giuen to hospitalitie, G.B.)
14 Blesse them, that persecute you: blesse, I say, and curse not.
15 Reioyce with them that reioyce, and weepe with those that weepe.
16 Be like affectioned: G.B. (thinke the same thing, L.A. foreign is vnderstood here of the affection, rather then of the minde and iudgement: see qu. 25. following.) be not high minded: (thinke not on high matters, Gr.) submitting your selues (consenting, L. A. applying your selues, V. cleauing vntounto, S. making your selues equall, G.B. the word is foreign, which properly signifieth to be caried away together) to them of the lower sort: be not wise in your selues. (arrogant in your selues, V. foreign, Gr.)
17 Recompence to no man euill for euill: prouide (procure, Be. G.B. the word is foreign, prouiding) things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as in you is, hauehave peace (liue in peace, V.B. foreign, be peaceable, Gr.) with all men.
19 Auenge not your selues, dearely beloued, but giuegive place vntounto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine: (doe not iudge iudgement to thy selfe, S.) I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemie hunger, feede him: if he thirst, giuegive him drinke: for in so doing, thou shalt heape coales of fire on his head.
21 Be not ouercome of euill, but ouercome euill with good. (goodnes, B.G.)
2. The Argument, method, and parts.
The Apostle hauing hetherto insisted vponupon the doctrinall points of faith, as concerning iustification, sanctification, predestination, and such other, now commeth to matter of vse and exhortation. And in this chapter he exhorteth 1. generally to the seruice of God: 2. to the right vse of gifts, and administration of Ecclesiasticall offices: 3. to the mutuall duties of charitie.
1. The seruice of God is set forth, 1. affirmatiuely, what we should doe, and why, v. 1. 2. negatiuely, what we should auoid and shunne, and the reason thereof, v. 2.
2. The exercising of the gifts and offices which God hath distributed, is set forth, 1. generally, that no man carrie himselfe proudly in respect of his gifts, v. 3. which is strengthened by these reasons, 1. from the efficient, God is the author. 2. and they are giuen in a certaine measure to eueryevery one, not all to one, v. …. 3. from the ende, they are giuen for the good one of an other: which is set forth by a similitude of the bodie, and the members thereof. 2. particularly he toucheth the Ecclesiasticall offices, which concerne either prophesying, or ministring, v. 6, 7. the propheticall function is exercised either in teaching, v. 7. or exhorting, v. 8. the ministeriall office consisteth in the ordering of the goods of the Church, in ruling, or in taking care for the poore, v. 8.
3. Then followeth the particular exhortation to the seuerall duties of charitie, as of louelove and following of good, v. 9. of brotherly kindnes and ciuilitie, v. 10. of cheerefulnes and zeale in Gods seruice, v. 11. of constancie in tribulation, and continuance in praier, v. 12. of distribution to the poore, v. 13. of blessing persecutors, v. 14. of sympathie and like affection in prosperitie and aduersitie, v. 15. of concord, v. 16. of gentlenes and studie of honestie, v. 17. of the desire of peace, v. 18. of refraining from anger and reuenge, v. 19. of beneficence toward our enemies, v. 20. of strife against euill, v. 21.