All Rights Reserved. with diligence--with earnest purpose. This is next taken up in detail. by the mercies of God--those mercies, whose free and unmerited nature, glorious Channel, and saving fruits have been opened up at such length. In the East, where such houses are still rare, this duty is regarded as of the most sacred character [HODGE]. 12. The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. For I say--authoritatively through the grace given unto me--as an apostle of Jesus Christ; thus exemplifying his own precept by modestly falling back on that office which both warranted and required such plainness towards all classes. Having then gifts differing according to the grace given to us--Here, let it be observed, all the gifts of believers alike are viewed as communications of mere grace. But we prefer the former. live peaceably--or, "be at peace." he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness--not only without grudging either trouble or pecuniary relief, but feeling it to be "more blessed to give than to receive," and to help than be helped. We shall never find in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves; therefore that must be mortified. 15. When a man's passion is up, and the stream is strong, let it pass off; lest it be made to rage the more against us. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. with them that weep--What a beautiful spirit of sympathy with the joys and sorrows of others is here inculcated! Be not overcome of evil. our ministering--The word here used imports any kind of service, from the dispensing of the word of life ( Acts 6:4 ) to the administering of the temporal affairs of the Church ( Acts 6:1-3 ). (2) As redemption under the Gospel is not by irrational victims, as under the law, but "by the precious blood of Christ" ( 1 Peter 1:18 1 Peter 1:19 ), and, consequently, is not ritual but real, so the sacrifices which believers are now called to offer are all "living sacrifices"; and these--summed up in self-consecration to the service of God--are "holy and acceptable to God," making up together "our rational service" ( Romans 12:1 ). Of the two, however, it is more easy to sympathize with another's sorrows than his joys, because in the one case he needs us; in the other not. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. The death of the one "Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world," has swept all dead victims from off the altar of God, to make room for the redeemed themselves as "living sacrifices" to Him who made "Him to be sin for us"; while every outgoing of their grateful hearts in praise, and every act prompted by the love of Christ, is itself a sacrifice to God of a sweet-smelling savor ( Hebrews 13:15 Hebrews 13:16 ). The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. 6-8. Salem Media Group. What need of a fresh baptism of the Spirit in order to this! to every man that is among you, not to think, &c.--It is impossible to convey in good English the emphatic play, so to speak, which each word here has upon another: "not to be high-minded above what he ought to be minded, but so to be minded as to be sober-minded" [CALVIN, ALFORD]. Those that rejoice in hope, are likely to be patient in tribulation. Nothing is below us, but sin. But just for this reason the latter is the more disinterested, and so the nobler. Or he that exhorteth--Since all preaching, whether by apostles, prophets, or teachers, was followed up by exhortation ( Acts 11:23 , 14:22 , 15:32 , &c.), many think that no specific class is here in view. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. As it is through the body that all the evil that is in the unrenewed heart comes forth into palpable manifestation and action, so it is through the body that all the gracious principles and affections of believers reveal themselves in the outward life. Next follow specific duties, chiefly social; beginning with Humility, the chiefest of all the graces--but here with special reference to spiritual gifts. but overcome evil with good--and then the victory is yours; you have subdued your enemy in the noblest sense. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. Be not wise in your own conceits--This is just the application of the caution against high-mindedness to the estimate we form of our own mental character. (6) Self-sufficiency and lust of power are peculiarly unlovely in the vessels of mercy, whose respective graces and gifts are all a divine trust for the benefit of the common body and of mankind at large ( Romans 12:3 Romans 12:4 ). But it is only one charming phase of the unselfish character which belongs to all living Christianity. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it. of The line of our duty is clearly marked out, and if our enemies are not melted by persevering kindness, we are not to seek vengeance; they will be consumed by the fiery wrath of that God to whom vengeance belongeth. that ye may prove--that is, experimentally. Recompense--"Recompensing," Provide--"Providing" things honest--"honorable" in the sight of all men--The idea (which is from Proverbs 3:4 ) is the care which Christians should take so to demean themselves as to command the respect of all men. in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head--As the heaping of "coals of fire" is in the Old Testament the figurative expression of divine vengeance ( Psalms 140:10 , 11:6 , &c.), the true sense of these words seems to be, "That will be the most effectual vengeance--a vengeance under which he will be fain to bend" (So ALFORD, HODGE, &c.). But as manuscript authority is decidedly against it, so is internal evidence; and comparatively few favor it. according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith--Faith is here viewed as the inlet to all the other graces, and so, as the receptive faculty of the renewed soul--that is, "as God hath given to each his particular capacity to take in the gifts and graces which He designs for the general good.". As this springs from selfish severance of our own interests and objects from those of our brethren, so it is quite incompatible with the spirit inculcated in the preceding clause. (1,2) To be humble, and faithfully to use their spiritual gifts, in their respective stations. He is served, not only by working for him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. The last verse suggests what is not easily understood by the world; that in all strife and contention, those that revenge are conquered, and those that forgive are conquerors. Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. a living sacrifice--in glorious contrast to the legal sacrifices, which, save as they were slain, were no sacrifices at all. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. but be ye transformed--or, "transfigured" (as in Matthew 17:2 ; and 2 Corinthians 3:18 , Greek). Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. If it be possible--that is, If others will let you. (17-21). It is but mock love, which rests in words of kindness, while our brethren need real supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them. In times of persecution, and before the general institution of houses of entertainment, the importance of this precept would be at once felt. Look upon worldly pomp and dignity with holy contempt. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God. He that has this rule over his spirit, is better than the mighty. But as we must not be proud of our talents, so we must take heed lest, under a pretence of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in laying out ourselves for the good of others. Proud member
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