Romans 12:1-21: The Christian’s Responsibilities to God, the Church, and the World

 This chapter begins the practical application section of the book of Romans for the Christian, based on all the doctrines taught in chapters 1-11. Chapter 12 begins with a "therefore," signaling the author draws a conclusion from what chapters 1-11 revealed. Based on who they are in Christ and because of the great doctrines surrounding the gospel of God, he has just made clear, Paul now explains the believer’s responsibilities to God, other Christians, and the unbelieving world in Romans 12.

I.   The believer has many responsibilities before God. This follows and strengthens his/her relationship with God. vs. 1-2

A. The responsibility of consecration (choosing a godly lifestyle). vs. 1

1. Holy living is a serious responsibility.

2. Holy living is a reasonable responsibility. “Therefore,” because of God’s amazing grace extended to us, we have these responsibilities. First, Paul tells us who we are before he tells us how to obey. The relationship precedes the rules. Belonging is taught before behavior alteration.

3. Holy living is a clearly stated responsibility.

a. Dedicate your body to God’s service.

b. Become a living sacrifice, holy, separated from sin, which is our part in the sanctification process.

c. Our desire for holy living is pleasing to God, being acceptable in our worship before God alone.

B. The responsibility for the transformation of our minds. vs. 2

1. The negative command: “Stop conforming yourself to this age.” (Psalm 1)

2. The positive command: “Instead, undergo a continual transformation of your mind” by the Word of God.

3. The result or purpose of these commands is: You will discover God’s will for your life. You will never know God’s will until you are dedicated to and practicing holy living and continual mind transformation by the Word of God.

II. The believer has many responsibilities to other believers. vs. 3-13

A. Pursuing humility of mind and heart vs. 3

B. Promoting unity and serving in the local church. vs. 4-8

1. There is a unity and diversity of member-to-member ministry mentioned. A body has interdependent unity and diversity at the same time.

2. There is a list that displays the unity and diversity of spiritual gifts. These are motivational gifts: teaching, mercy, exhortation, service, leadership, giving, and prophecy.

C. Loving other believers well in the local assembly and community vs. 9-13

1. Love other believers sincerely and genuinely. (Rom 5:5, 8, 8:28, 35, 39)

2. Despise the things that are evil. (Rom 3:12)

3. Cling to what is good and godly. (Rom 2:7, 10, 7:12, 16)

4. Be devoted to one another with mutual love.

5. Honor one another above yourselves.

6. Don’t be lazy; be diligent, hardworking.

7. Serve the Lord with spiritual fervor.

8. Rejoice in the Lord with a know-so-hope. (Rom 4:18, 5:2, 4, 5, 8:24-25)

9. Patient, persevering/enduring through tribulation. (Rom 5:3-4, 8:25, 35)

10. Persistent in prayer. (Rom 10:1)

11. Sharing/contributing to the needs of God’s holy people. (Rom 1:7, 8:27)

12. Seek to show hospitality in your homes.

III.    The believer has many responsibilities to those outside the assembly. vs. 14-21

A. Pray and ask God’s blessings on those who persecute you. Don’t curse them or wish evil to fall on them. vs. 14 (Matt 5:44; Luke 6:28, 23:34; John 5:20; 1 Cor 4:12-13)

B. Rejoice with joy rather than being envious, covetous, or jealous. vs. 15

C. Weep with those who are grieving and weeping. vs. 15

D. Live in harmony with those around you. vs. 16 (1 Cor 13:5)

E. Don’t proudly think you are better than others. vs.16 (Prov 3:7)

F. Associate with people who have no cultural status. vs. 16

G. Don’t be conceited and overestimate your wisdom. You don’t know everything. vs. 16

H.  Don’t respond with evil to pay back someone who does evil to you. vs. 17

I. Let your actions be honorable and ethical in the estimation of every reasonable person. vs. 17

J. Cultivate peace with others. vs. 18

K. Don’t attempt to get revenge for yourself. vs. 19

L. Leave revenge and pay back to the Lord. vs. 19

M. Meet your enemy’s need for food and water when you can. vs. 20 (Prov 25:21-22). The metaphor ‘coals of fire’ could refer to the practice of giving someone live coals carried on a mortarboard on their head to start a fire for warmth and cooking. [Matches had not been invented yet.] Alternatively, it could be symbolic of the shameful, guilty, and humbling feelings one has when receiving kindness while in need from someone they have abused. This could result in their repentance before God and man and be used to soften a hard heart.

N. Do not let evil defeat or conquer you. vs. 21

O. Overcome evil with good. vs. 21

[Modified from class notes from Richard P. Belcher, Sr.]