Read the Passage: Romans 12
Listen to The Redeemed Mind Podcast: Romans 12
Living Sacrifices (12:1–2)
Paul’s pattern in all of his epistles is to begin by teaching theology and end by covering ethics. Indeed, this structure is quite logical, for ethics is applied theology. In the book of Romans, chapters 1–11 contains theology—namely, Paul’s exploration of and teaching about salvation—and chapters 12–16 apply this doctrine to the Christian life. In this five-chapter application section of Romans Paul covers general Christian living (cf. Rom. 12), Christians and culture (cf. Rom. 13), and Christians and conscience (cf. Rom. 14), all before disclosing his personal plans and greetings in the final two chapters (cf. Rom. 15–16). The fact that Paul did not deviate from his usual structural pattern of theology and ethics when writing about the doctrine of salvation is significant, for it highlights the fact that sound theology will always lead to practical life change (cf. Prov. 23:7; Matt. 12:34).
Paul begins the application section of this letter by urging his readers to “present your bodies a living sacrifice . . . to God” (Rom. 12:1). In other words, Paul urges his readers to let go of the idea of personal rights and become, like him, “a bondservant of Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:1). While some believers may be called to literally die for Christ, Paul’s exhortation here is to become living sacrifices—that is, to surrender oneself in service to God. Paul writes that this is not only “acceptable to God,” but also, it is “your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). The idea here is that living for Christ is a natural result of accepting the gospel (cf. Matt. 7:15–23). In Rom. 12:2 Paul reveals that the way to be transformed is by renewing the mind. The gospel is not only mental knowledge, but also, it redeems the mind via the transforming power of Scripture (cf. 1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 2:5; 1 Pet. 4:1).
Spiritual Gifts (12:3–8)
The renewed mind that Paul calls for in Rom. 12:2 will necessarily result in practical life change for believers, as well as in Christian service within the church. In view of this transformation, Paul exhorts his readers “not to think of [themselves] more highly than [they] ought” (Rom. 12:3). This is because “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3). While this is true in regard to saving faith (cf. Eph. 2:8–9; Jas. 1:18), in this verse Paul is likely referring to the enabling faith that comes to believers via the Word of God (cf. Rom. 10:17; 1 Thess. 2:13), which entails spiritual gifts. Note that at conversion, God grants to each Christian a spiritual gift(s) (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7; 1 Pet. 4:10). These divine, spiritual gifts are not an unimportant part of the Christian life; rather, they are the primary means through which believers glorify God and serve others within the body of Christ.
Rom. 12:6–8 is one of four New Testament passages that discusses spiritual gifts in some detail—the others being 1 Cor. 12:4–11; Eph. 4:11–12; 1 Pet. 4:10–11. In this passage Paul explains that spiritual gifts differ “according to the grace that is given to us” (Rom. 12:6). In 1 Cor. 12 Paul likens spiritual gifts to parts of the body as he teaches that each gift is important for the functioning of the body of Christ. A comparison of the biblical passages on spiritual gifts reveals that they differ in their listing possible gifts. Yet, some common themes among New Testament teachings on spiritual gifts arise, such as the gifts are a mark of God’s grace, are for the entire Body of Christ, are Spirit empowered, and are to be developed and deployed by each believer. Here in Rom. 12:6–8 Paul lists seven spiritual gifts: prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy.
Christian Behavior (12:9–21)
Rom. 12:9–21 contains a list of thirty exhortations regarding Christian behavior. These acts are related to Paul’s larger discussion in that they each stem from a renewed mind and many are the result of spiritual giftedness. These exhortations can be divided into four broad categories: duties to oneself (cf. Rom. 12:9), duties to one’s church (cf. Rom. 12:10–13), duties to one’s neighbor (cf. Rom. 12:14–16), and duties to one’s enemies (cf. Rom. 12:17–21). Each of these thirty exhortations are challenging for natural man to keep; yet, all of these duties are possible with the renewal of one’s mind and the divine empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Note that in discussing Christians’ duties toward their enemies, Paul appeals to Deut. 32:35 and Prov. 25:21–22. With these quotes Paul shows that his exhortations are not new ideas; rather, they are rooted within the Old Testament.
Application Question:
- How does our knowledge of God (or our theology) relate to our practice of the Christian life (or our ethics)?
- In what ways did accepting the gospel change the way you live your life? Does theology always result in a change of one’s morality?
- How can Christians renew their minds? When the New Testament speaks about having the mind of Christ, what is in view?
- How can Christians discover their spiritual gift(s)? How can believers develop and best utilize their spiritual gift(s)?
- What is the difference between the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit? Have you ever confused or conflated these two biblical concepts?
