The Epistle to the Romans
Lesson 20
Christian Responsibility to Saved and Unsaved

Reading Assignment: Romans 12

Introduction
Remember that in this lesson and in the remaining lessons of this study, we are looking at Righteousness Applied. In Romans 1-8, we viewed doctrine explained. In Romans 12-16, we saw doctrines applied. We have previously stated that every doctrine has its practical application to the Christian life.
The apostle Paul had a unique and remarkable way of summarizing truths, particularly those truths relating to Christian responsibility. In this lesson, he makes use of numerous short phrases to relate the duties of Christians toward each other and then duties toward those outside the body of Christ.

Importance of this Lesson

• This lesson is of primary importance because it clarifies in short, understandable phrases, for all who sincerely want to know, just how the Christian life is supposed to be lived.
• It is important to note that Doctrines, in these verses, are converted into Duties.

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The Lesson

I. THE DIVISION OF Romans 12:9-21

1. This passage is conveniently divided for us into two easily recognizable sections. In verses 9-16, the apostle Paul, who makes extensive use of the number seven, lists 21 exhortations to Christians regarding their attitude toward and treatment of other Christians.
2. In verses 17-21 Paul lists 7 exhortations to Christians concerning their behavior toward those who are unsaved and outside the family of God.

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD OTHER CHRISTIANS – verses 9-16

1. Verse 9
   1. Let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy) – Christians are not to love in word only “but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). There is no place in the family of God for hypocritical pretence. Our love for God and for all the saints of God should be transparently clean and clear, without any gushing, effusive, insincere expressions of affection. Perhaps nothing is more destructive for Christian influence than pretentious love.
   2. Abhor that which is evil – All Christian anger should be directed at sin and not the sinner. We all should hate what God hates. “for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord” (Zechariah 8:17). Read Ephesians 4:24-32. It is impossible for unbelievers to abhor evil but Christians have the help of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16).
   3. …cleave to that which is good. – Bear in mind that the Bible reveals and contains that which is good. Study it and follow its precepts. To cleave means to cling to or hold fast to. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 2 Timothy 1:13, and Titus 1:9. Thoughts are usually translated into actions. Think constantly about the things that are good and right in the eyes of God. Re-read Philippians 4:8.
2. Verse 10
   1. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love… – The apostle Peter admonishes us to “love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22). Our love for all Christians should not only be free of shame and hypocrisy, it is to be displayed also with kindness, tenderness, fervency and from a pure heart. If we keep our hearts right, we’ll guard against allowing our Christian affection to become carnal.
   2. …in honour preferring one another – This may prove difficult to do when you feel you have more talent and greater ability than the one who is preferred before you. Remember that Jesus insisted on washing His disciples’ feet. Read John 13:12-17. In Philippians 2:3 Paul wrote, “…in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” What a wonderful grace to attain when we can rejoice when we are by-passed and another is honored. Such a spirit destroys pride, jealousy and prejudice.
3. Verse 11
   1. Not slothful in business… – Another has put it, “not lagging in diligence.” Christians are not to be lazy, careless or neglectful in any area of life and particular, as meant here, in their duties toward the family of God. The flesh is weak and prone to negligence in personal devotions of Bible study and prayer. This negligence usually results in indifference to Christian responsibility.
   2. …fervent in spirit… – Not many professing Christians are “on fire” for the Lord. That is exactly what this phrase means. “Fervent in spirit” could be rendered “burning with zeal for the Lord.” What a joy it is to see someone who is truly excited about Christ and his Christian faith. You can test your Christianity by the things that set you ablaze with enthusiasm.
   3. …serving the Lord… – Every believer is a servant of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:24; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Here we are told HOW to serve Him. Not lazily, indifferently or neglectfully but with fervor, zeal and enthusiasm. Get excited about serving the Lord.
4. Verse 12
   1. Rejoicing in hope…; – Remember, “if we suffer with him, we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17). Ours is:
      1. a hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
      2. a hope of resurrection and translation (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
      3. a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
      4. a blessed hope (Titus 2:13).
      5. a purifying hope (1 John 3:3).
      6. a steadfast hope (Hebrews 6:19).
         How can we not rejoice in a hope like this? Of all the people on earth, only the saved have such a hope.
   2. …patient in tribulation… – In Romans 5:3, we learned that “tribulation worketh patience.” That is why James tells us to rejoice in our trials because trials and tests to our faith develop patience (James 1:2-3). Patience is a very desirable Christian characteristic. We are to “follow after patience” (1 Timothy 6:11) and “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
   3. …continuing instant (diligently) in prayer – In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul said, “Pray without ceasing.” In Luke 18:1, Jesus said, “men ought always to pray, and not faint.” Prayer is as vital to the soul as breathing is to the body.
      1. Prayer keeps us in touch with God and makes the Holy Spirit operative in our lives.
      2. Remember that prayer is not simply audible expression, it is heart communication with your Heavenly Father. Pray steadfastly.
5. Verse 13
   1. Distributing to the necessity of saints… – A beautiful illustration of this is found in Acts 4, where, concerning the church it is said, “neither said any of them that ought (any) of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” The result was that “neither was there any among them that lacked.” Within the church family, there are numerous needs and it is the responsibility of the saints to share that which God has given them so as to meet the need. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
   2. …given to hospitality – The word here is strong. Given to actually means to pursue, press on or follow after. The exhortation is stronger than simply being willing to entertain. We are to “pursue” hospitality even toward strangers. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” In reality, I must caution that we are living in an evil and violent age, fraught with dangers. I believe the Holy Spirit will give the trusting saint discernment in this area.
6. Verse 14
   1. Bless them which persecute you… – In Matthew 5:44, Jesus gave the same exhortation. To bless, means to have the right heart attitude even toward those who oppose and persecute us. Read Luke 6:27,28. How easy is it to say, “I love you” to those who persecute us when our hearts are actually full of anger and hatred?
   2. …bless and curse not – In Ephesians 4, Paul wrote, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to use of edifying…Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you…and be ye kind…tenderhearted, forgiving…” (verses 29,31,32). There is no room in the Christian life for cursing!
7. Verse 15
   1. Rejoice with them that do rejoice… – To do this may often be found difficult. Jealousy, prejudice, dislike of certain individuals, hurt feelings, self-pity and pride tend to hinder us from rejoicing in the success and joy of a fellow-believer. Seek earnestly the grace that enables you to sincerely rejoice in another’s joy.
   2. …and weep with them that weep – It is often evident that many Christians who take a firm stand for the truth are lacking in compassion and deep sympathy for sorrowing saints. It is not a sign of weakness to weep over the sorrows of others. The Lord Jesus, our true example, was a man of tears (Luke 19:41; John 11:35). We are to share others’ tears as well as their triumphs.
8. Verse 16
   1. Be of the same mind one toward another – In this regard, read Philippians 2:1-4. Note that we are to be “like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Christians do not always think alike. Opinions vary greatly at times concerning certain points of doctrine. But the idea here has to do with attitude. Regardless of any difference of opinion we may have with another believer, our attitude should be charitable and kindly.
   2. Mind not high things – There is a tendency among many Christians to gravitate toward and hob-nob with those who are rich or who hold places of honor and leadership in the church. The exhortation to remember is “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Christ was criticized for favoring the poor and needy.
   3. …condescend to men of low estate – The cross of Christ is the great leveler of mankind. Both rich and the poor alike all come to this place for cleansing and forgiveness. Of Christ we read “and the common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37). In 1 Corinthians 1:26, we read, “not many mighty, not many noble are called.” Spirit-led and Spirit-filled Christians will always be found ministering to the poor of this world.
   4. Be not wise in your own conceits – There are very few things worse than pride and the worst kind of pride is spiritual pride. God detests pride (Proverbs 8:13). It is a prelude to destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Never think you know all the answers. Remember that “knowledge puffeth up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). We cannot “condescend to men of low estate” or “weep with them that weep” if we are filled with the sense of our own importance!

III. THE CHRISTIAN’S REPSONSIBILITY TOWARD THE UNSAVED

1. Verse 17
   1. Recompense to no man evil for evil – How many professing Christians have said, “I’ll get even with him (or her) if it’s the last thing I do”? Again, our supreme example is our Blessed Lord “Who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not…”
      (1 Peter 2:23). We are not to seek vengeance. That is our Lord’s prerogative (Hebrews 10:30). We are to forgive, “even as God for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
   2. Provide things honest in the sight of all men – We are to conduct our lives with such carefulness that even the unsaved will have to confess that we are honest and honorable. What a sad and reprehensible thing it is when Christian businessmen, for example, are viewed by sinners as being fraudulent, dishonest, and untrustworthy.
2. Verse 18
   If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. – Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). Christians are to “follow peace with all men” (Hebrews 12:14) and to “seek peace, and ensue it” (1 Peter 3:11). While we should be known as a peace-loving people, the thought here is “if at all possible.” Undoubtedly, there are times of turmoil and persecution when Christians must take a firm stand for their faith and the Gospel.
3. Verse 19
   Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath… – This is similar to verse 17 where we are exhorted to not render evil for evil. We must always remember that God is the avenger of all evil and wrong. A great day of wrath is coming (Romans 2:5; Revelation 6:17). Leave the wicked you cannot win to Christ, totally in God’s hands. He will repay!
4. Verse 20
   1. …if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. – This text is commonly misunderstood. It is often interpreted as meaning we should show kindness to our enemies and leave his judgment or vengeance to God who will some day “heap coals of fire upon his head.” Verse 19 of course, tells us that God will someday take vengeance on those who reject Christ.
   2. However, verse 20 does not say that God will heap coals of fire on your enemies’ head. It says you will do it. I never understood this until a man who had been a missionary in Palestine for over 20 years and had studied oriental custom explained it to me years ago. He said Orientals usually had fires in their homes for heating or cooking. Sometimes a neighbor’s fire would burn out at which time the woman, with an empty pot on her head, would come asking for fresh, burning coals to restart her fire. The hospitable Jew or Arab would then heap coals of fire in her pot, which she carried back to her home. It was a great act of kindness.
   3. So, what the Lord is saying here is, be kind to your enemies.
5. Verse 21
   1. Be not overcome of evil… – This is an evil world we live in. Don’t let that evil overwhelm you. Don’t yield to it. Remember, we overcome the devil “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). Resist evil with all your strength and trust God for deliverance (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:9).
   2. …but overcome evil with good. – Do so many good things you have no place or time for evil. Paul says, “hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21,22). Good works are the antidote to evil.

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