The Epistle to the Romans
Lesson 20
Special English Version

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 particular and noteworthy way of summing up truths, especially those truths that teach Christian responsibility. In this lesson, he uses many short phrases to teach us 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 the highest importance because it clarifies how we should live the Christian life. Paul does this in short, understandable phrases.
• It is important to note that Paul changes Doctrines in these verses into Duties.

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The Lesson

I. THE DIVISION OF ROMANS 12:9-21

1. Paul divides this passage into two sections for us. We can easily recognize each section. In verses 9-16, the apostle Paul uses the number seven a great many times. He lists 21 appeals to Christians about their attitude (how they feel) toward other Christians and also about how they should treat other Christians.
2. In verses 17-21 Paul makes 7 appeals 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 must not love in word only “but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). There is no place in the family of God for deceit and dishonesty. Everyone should be able to see our love for God and for all the believers clearly, without any insincere expressions. Insincere love perhaps destroys the influence of a Christian more than anything else.
   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 hate evil but the Holy Spirit helps Christians to hate evil (Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16).
   3. …cleave to that which is good. – Remember that the Bible shows us that which is good. Study it and follow its teachings. To cleave means to cling to or hold fast to. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 2 Timothy 1:13, and Titus 1:9. Thoughts usually become actions. Think constantly about the things that are good and right in the eyes of God. Read Philippians 4:8 again.
2. Verse 10
   1. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love… – The apostle Peter advises us to “love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22). Our love for all Christians should be free of shame and dishonesty. We should show our love with kindness, tenderness, enthusiasm and from a pure heart. If we keep our hearts right with God, we will not allow our Christian love to become sinful.
   2. …in honour preferring one another – This may be difficult to do when you think you have more talent and greater ability than the person people chose before they chose 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.” We reach a wonderful state of grace when we rejoice the honor another receives and we are by-passed. Such a spirit destroys pride and jealousy.
3. Verse 11
   1. Not slothful in business… – Another has put it, “not slowing down in enthusiasm.” Christians must not be lazy. They must not be careless or neglectful in any area of life. In this verse it speaks about our duties toward the family of God. The flesh is weak and inclined to neglect personal devotions, Bible study and prayer. We often neglect these duties when we do not care about our 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” means “burning with zeal for the Lord.” It is a great joy to see someone who is truly excited about Christ and his Christian faith. You can test your Christianity by the things about which you are excited.
   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. We must not be lazy. We must not be cold toward God. We must not neglect God’s work. We must have enthusiasm, and willingness to do the work. We must 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).
      We have:
      1. a hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
      2. a hope of resurrection and translation of our bodies (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 fail to rejoice in a hope like this? Of all the people on earth, only the saved people 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 (in working hard) 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 necessary to the soul as breathing is to the body.
      1. Prayer keeps us in touch with God and makes the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.
      2. Remember that prayer is not only talking out loud, it is the heart talking 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. Here the Bible talks about the church and says, “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 many people who need things. It is the responsibility of the believers to share that which God has given them. Believers must meet the need of those who do not have things. Read 1Timothy 6:17-19.
   2. …given to hospitality – The word here is strong. Given to actually means to pursue, press on or follow after. It means more than only a willingness to entertain somebody in your house. We must “chase after” 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, there are many dangers. I believe the Holy Spirit will give the trusting believer insight in this matter.
6. Verse 14
   1. Bless them which persecute you… – In Matthew 5:44, Jesus gave the same advice. To bless, means to have the right feeling in your heart even toward those who oppose us and persecute us. Read Luke 6:27,28. It is very easy 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 the use of edifying…Let all bitterness, and anger, and tumult, 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… – It may often be difficult to do this. Some of the things that hinder us from rejoicing in the success and happiness of another believer are, jealousy, impatience, dislike of certain individuals, hurt feelings, feeling sorry for yourself and pride. We must sincerely try to be gracious because that enables you to honestly rejoice in another person’s happiness.
   2. …and weep with them that weep – Many Christians who take a firm stand for the truth are often lacking in love and deep sympathy for sorrowing believers. 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 other people’s tears as well as their victories.
8. Verse 16
   1. Be of the same mind one toward another – In this connection, 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 differ greatly at times concerning certain points of doctrine. But the idea here has to do with your feeling toward other believers. Even if we have a difference of opinion with another believer, we should treat them kindly and with love.
   2. Mind not high things – Many Christians like to be in the company of rich people. They like to be with people who hold an important office in the church. In such a case, remember this advice, “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 puts all people on the same level. Both rich and the poor have to come to Christ for cleansing and forgiveness. We read about Christ, “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.” The Holy Spirit will always lead believers whom He fills to serve the poor of this world.
   4. Be not wise in your own conceits – There are very few things worse than pride. The worst kind of pride is spiritual pride. God detests pride (Proverbs 8:13). Pride comes before 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 feel we are more important than they are!

III. THE CHRISTIAN’S REPSONSIBILITY TOWARD THE UNSAVED

1. Verse 17
   1. Recompense to no man evil for evil – Many Christians have said, “I’ll get even with him (or her) if it’s the last thing I do”. Again, our greatest example is our Blessed Lord “Who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not…” (1 Peter 2:23). We must not seek revenge. That right belongs to our Lord (Hebrews 10:30). We must 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 must live so carefully that even the unsaved will know that we are honest and upright. It is sad when unbelievers see Christian businessmen as deceitful, dishonest, and untrustworthy. Such businessmen certainly deserve blame for destroying the testimony of Christ.
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). People must know us as those who love peace, but the idea here is “if at all possible.” Undoubtedly, there are times of disorder 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. That verse advises us that we must not return evil for evil. We must always remember that God revenges all evil and wrongs. A great day of God’s anger is coming (Romans 2:5; Revelation 6:17). Leave the wicked you cannot win to Christ, completely 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 usually misunderstood. Many people interpreted this to mean that we should show kindness to our enemies and leave their judgment to God. Someday God will “heap coals of fire upon his head.” Verse 19 of course, tells us that God will someday judge those people 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… – We live in an evil world. Don’t let that evil defeat you. Don’t surrender to it. Remember, we win over 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 things. Paul says, “hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21,22). Good works are the cure for evil.

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