Romans Chapter 12

"I beseech.” Not "I command," or "I direct," but "I beg. The epistles of Paul do contain some commands and directives, but where the consecration of lives to Christ is concerned, Paul writes as he did to Philemon…Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, [9] Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. (Philemon 8-9).

What an amazing word is this from God who, in matchless grace, rescued us from our condemned state and made us His own! He had the full and perfect right to place us, like Israel of old, under the iron hand of the Law but, having saved us by grace, He continues to deal with us in grace.

Surely our reconciliation to Him through Christ was a gift of grace, grace enough to keep us praising Him for all eternity. Yet He continues to deal with us in grace more abundant than that ever shown to any race or class of people.

"By the mercies of God.” What a basis for his appeal! Perhaps we should read the first eleven chapters of Romans all over again to appreciate the force of the

admonition---"Justified from all things," "baptized into Christ," "seated in the heavenlies," "blessed with all spiritual blessings"; these and a thousand other benefits are offered as the basis for his appeal:

"That ye present your bodies.” Does He not want our souls and spirits too? Of course He does (I Thess. 5:23), but the word "present" takes care of that, for if we present our bodies to Him He has the whole man!  

"A living sacrifice."” This, of course, stands in contrast to the slain sacrifices required of Israel. God would have us live a life of sacrifice for Him day by day.

He would have us sacrifice ourselves. Paul could make this appeal for he knew what it was to work tirelessly for Christ. He had suffered "weariness and

painfulness ... hunger and thirst ... cold and nakedness" for His Lord, but discouraged though he must often have become, he could not stop. He said: “The love of Christ constraineth us" (II Cor. 5:14).  

"Holy, acceptable unto God.” The word “holy” means "set apart as sacred." God would have us present ourselves to Him as those whom He has set apart for Himself, His own sacred possession.  Such sacrifice alone is "acceptable" to Him.

“Which is your reasonable service.” The word "service," here, occurs also in Rom. 9:4, where we are told that to Israel belonged "the service of God." The word actually refers to "divine service" (Heb. 9:1), or worship. And the word "reasonable" is that from which our word logic is derived.   

We are transformers because we have been transformed!

Vs. 2… And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”…Paul is not talking about dressing and looking like the unsaved world. He is talking about all the new doctrine he has just finished teaching them. He is advising them not to think with the old information they were used to operating under. Paul is also telling us that doctrine forms our beliefs and our beliefs form our choices, actions and lifestyles. Based on what he has taught them about grace in chapters 1-11 it is now possible for them to be transformed. It will depend on whether they choose to renew their minds in grace or will they choose to live out of the mindset they learned from the world and religion before they were saved

These words “conform” and “transform” are interesting in that they represent two programs at work during this dispensation---law and grace. Both programs produce a result but it is a different result. One (transformed) is an internal process and the other (conformed) is an external process. This was the problem in the Galatian churches: the believers were being conformed to the old system of thinking of religious law. Paul attempts to corrects their thinking about grace in Gal. 4:1-10 by reminding them of who they are in Christ and that they have the same relationship with God that Jesus had with His Father (vs. 6)…And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36) The word Abba appears in the Bible only three times; Paul uses it twice and Jesus once.

Even though Paul warns the Romans about being conformed to the world, do not conclude that being conformed has no place in the life of the grace believer….For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Rom. 8:29) Our position and identity as grace believers is “in Christ” (Rom. 8:1) and “Christ in you” (Col. 1:27). II Cor. 4:5-7 tells us why God has chosen to do that…For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We have a treasure as grace believers and a power that is not of us. Law depends on your power to keep it. Grace is the power of God working in you.

Ephesians 4:17-24 gives us more information about the importance and process of “renewing your mind”… This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, [18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: [19] Who being past feeling (don’t trust your feelings as Gentiles do) have given themselves over unto lasciviousness (lustfulness), to work all uncleanness with greediness.[20] But ye have not so learned Christ; [21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

1. Put off the former conversation the old man (vs. 22). What is wrong with the conversation of the old man? Deceitful lusts! Religion appeals to our lusts and it is particularly deceitful in that it is a mixture of good and evil. It is good in that it emphasizes doing good things for God and people. It is evil in that promotes thinking contrary to God’s program of grace. The forbidden tree in the Garden was the one bearing the knowledge of good and evil.

2. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind (vs. 23). Get busy learning the revelation of the mystery. It is the Word of God that is the believer’s resource that will renew the mind. 

3. Put on the new man which is created (vs. 24). This is something new God is doing. He had to destroy the old man first (Rom. 6:6). When we are ignorant of God’s will in this dispensation we say things like…God works in mysterious ways.

“that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”…Satan’s battle plan is to get us to doubt or not to trust what God says. He approached Eve that way when he said, “Yea hath God said?” As we talk to others about grace they will resort to this same tatic, “How do you know you are right?” or “That is your interpretation”. These questions are designed to get us to have doubts and thereby paralyze us spiritually. Listen to how your Apostle talked: “For this ye know” (Eph. 5:5); “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant” (Rom. 11:25); “For I am persuaded” (Rom. 8:38) Does that sound like a man that was unsure about the word and will of God and content on just doing the best he could? Paul knew the Word and will of God is not mysterious. In fact, he tells us in Eph. 1:9 that God’s will is knowable… Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: According to Rom. 12:2 God’s will is also provable… that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. God’s will has been revealed (written down; not in our emotions)… The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Moses knew there was more information that God would reveal but they were not accountable for it. Their attention should be on God’s current program to them. Moses knew that God’s Word was not complete in his day. God’s Word does the transforming and conforming in our lives. God’s will is that we labor with Him… I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. [9] For we are labourers together with God: (I Cor. 3:6-9)

God revealed His will to Paul in Eph. 3:9-11… And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: [10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: The word purpose means God had an eternal will. That will is for the church, the body of Christ to make known the manifold wisdom of God to the powers in heavenly places.

God has given us the big picture of His will through Paul “before the foundations of the world (Eph. 1:4) and beyond the book of Revelation… That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Eph. 1:10) God ultimately intends to bring heaven and earth under the rightful rule of the Lord Jesus Christ. All the thrones, dominion, principalities and rulers in heaven and earth are going to be brought under the rulership of One---Jesus Christ. This verse is not teaching that God is not going to combine the heaven and earth programs into one program some day in the future.

“will of God”…God’s will centers around what He is doing; our will is centered around what we are doing. We want God to reverse that and get busy helping us in what we are doing. The will of God is found in the Word of God rightly divided. We are called to a walk of faith which is a willingness to believe God’s Word about what He is doing and submitting our hearts to that every day. That is your reasonable service to God.

Vs. 3… For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me”… Paul was given the grace program to instruct those who become a part of the “new creature” (the church, the body of Christ).  

“not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think”… Because of all the blessings of grace that Christ’s blood purchased for the believer at Calvary and that Paul has just explained in the previous chapters, wouldn’t it be likely for grace believers to think more highly than they ought to think? Paul has just finished telling them how “special” they are to God; therefore a word of caution is in order.  The grace program is based on how well you think---not how well you perform. As we think on God’s Word rightly divided we get transformed and conformed to the image of His Son. The first thing to think correctly about is who you are in Christ (Identity). It is possible to think too low of yourself (under law we can never measure up). Listen to the average Sunday morning sermon and you will be told you aren’t praying enough, or giving enough, or helping enough, etc. These messages are based in law and will always cause you to think to low of yourself. The warning here is for thinking too high of yourself (troubles beset even grace beleivers and you have to contend with your carnal nature).  Phil. 4:6-8… Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Right thinking is the key to getting the peace of God; not our “much praying” or allowing our frets and worries to control our minds.

“to think soberly”… ”…  It is our tendency to think about ourselves after we are saved in the same way we thought before our salvation…UNDER THE LAW PROGRAM (a works/performance system also called “the course of this world” Eph. 2:1-2… And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; [2] Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:). We must think of ourselves in light of Romans chapters 1-11. When a person is “drunk” he/she is under the influence of something or someone other than themselves. For a believer to fail to think soberly means he/she is letting something or someone else influence their thinking other than the word of God, rightly divided. Sobriety could be defined as drinking from the Word of God, rightly divided. if a person is not sober it means something else is running their thinking; they have something else influencing their thinking or have given themselves over to something else. Many more people have been drunk on religion than ever have been drunk on alcohol… And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Rev. 14:8)

Paul is going to teach us in this chapter how to apply the doctrines found in chapters 1-11…justification, sanctification, and dispensation. God wants us to see the “big picture” of His plans and purposes, before He shows us the “little picture” of our daily lives.

The so-called church today has no appetite for sound doctrine. They like motivational stories, “how to” sermons and life application. However, God says the saints need doctrine. Why? Because sound doctrine is the “well-spring” from which one draws the information to make daily choices. Everyone has a set of doctrinal beliefs from which they live their daily lives. Paul begins chapter 12 by begging the Roman believers to rely upon the sound doctrine found in chapters 1-11 as the basis of their practical daily living---not the world’s doctrines. Everyone is “conformed” to one or the other. It is your choice to make.

As grace believers, our transformation and conformity to the “image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29) is a result of renewing our mind by studying our only resource---the Word of God, rightly divided. When we do this we are learning to think like God thinks. So, Romans 12:1-2 describes the “grace process”. Please note that there is no law in those verses; there is no threat in those verses; there is no coercion in those verses.

Ephesians 4: 17-24 also corroborates the fact that our minds need to be renewed. If we do not, then here is what our lives will look like… This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, [18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: [19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. [20] But ye have not so learned Christ; [21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: [22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; [23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; [24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Putting on “the new man” is renewing our minds to God’s way of thinking. Grace is the process whereby God creates true righteousness and holiness; law can never accomplish this result. When people say, “Your definition of grace means Christians can just go out and do anything they want to after they are saved!” That comment is proof positive that people “think” that law is the only hope of a “Christian” ever changing his/her life. The mind of both saved and unsaved are perilously addicted to the thought that our only hope is LAW. Take away their “law” and all hope is lost. God’s thinking is GRACE IS YOUR ONLY HOPE of escaping sin’s grasp. It is our privilege to make all men see how grace works and its power to transform and conform them.

“according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”... This phrase is a continuation of the previous phrase “to think soberly”. Without this additional information we could be lead to believe that our thoughts should arise solely from our own thinking as opposed to “according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”. Just like our government is responsible to insure that there is a “just measure” throughout the land… A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. (Prov. 16:11) God does not let us pick and choose the doctrines we desire to live by. He deals to every man the same “measure of faith”. That means that He alone has the exclusive right to define what we are to believe in this dispensation. Paul confirms this in I Cor. 4:17… For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

Now, the “measure of faith” in verse 3 is different than the “proportion of faith” down in verse 6. At the time Paul was writing Romans and I Corinthians the full revelation of the mystery had not been revealed to Paul yet. Therefore, the Holy Spirit put strict limits on believers “adding to” or “going beyond” what had been revealed at that time to Paul. They were to strictly adhere to the “proportion” (amount/percentage) and not get creative with their ministries. This also served to remind them that “spiritual gifts” were temporary in nature. These spiritual gifts would be replaced by the perfect, written Word of God which would contain the completed revelation of the mystery and thus make “gifted men” unnecessary (I Cor. 13:8-11; Eph. 4: 11-13) Despite these warning about misusing a spiritual gift, they were routinely abused. The net result was that the church, the body of Christ was subjected to contradictory “winds of doctrine” and believers remained “children”.

Vs. 4-13… For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. [6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. [9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. [10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; [11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; [12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; [13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

It is important that we separate in our thinking the two subjects that Paul is discussing here in verses 4-13…spiritual gifts and the church, the body of Christ. Because the first generation of the church, the body of Christ did not start out with a completed, written revelation of God’s plans and purposes for this new agency on earth, God chose to give spiritual gifts to “the body” (“us” vs. 6). These “differing gifts” were distributed by the Holy Spirit; not the spiritual leaders of the church… For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (I Cor. 12:8). I have had a lot of teaching on “spiritual gifts” in my former days in the “church”. It was focused on helping me determine my spiritual gift and then guidelines on how to use it. All of it was the invention of well-intentioned men. Notice how the Holy Spirit chooses to talk about the gifts…prophecy, do so within the limits that had been revealed by the Lord at the time; ministry, let us wait; teachers, let them wait; exhorters, let them wait; givers, simplicity (no advice to wait); Why would the “speaking gifts” be told to “wait”? To be sure you knew what you were talking about and until your words were approved by fellow believers with the gift of prophecy… Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. [30] If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. [31] For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. [32] And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. [33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (I Cor. 14:29-33)

Even though the ministry of spiritual gifts ended when the Word of God was completed around 67 AD, that should not diminish our knowledge, understanding and charity of the “new creature” God established by the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Contrary to popular religious teaching today about the importance of knowing and using your spiritual gift, Paul is not emphasizing the individual gifts in the “body of Christ” here in Rom. 12; he is emphasizing the “body of Christ” and how important it (the body of Christ) is to what God is doing in this dispensation of grace. In other words, don’t get caught up in your gifts and abilities. Everything you do should be out of concern for and faithfulness to adding members to “the church the body of Christ” and instructing members in “the church, the body of Christ”. This is the “new creature” that constitutes God’s training program (sonship/adoption) that is going on right now in  time, so God can use you in the heavenly places in eternity. God gives us some “classified” information about what is out there in the heavenly places and what needs to be done to bring it back under His dominion by using the Church…Job 38: 19-33. Satan has built some pretty formidable “places of darkness” in the heavenlies that will need to be torn down by the Church. He has provided the arsenal of weapons of mass destruction that will be at our disposal.

Vs. 17-21…Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. [18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore 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. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is critical that we understand what these verses are telling us in light of the context:

1. These verses convey what a “renewed mind” (Rom. 12:1-2) looks like as a grace believer lives out the details of life from day to day. Paul is preparing them for physical persecution and how to respond.

2. These verses also inform the grace believer that there is a war going on between God and Satan. Since we are now members of the new creature (the Church, the body of Christ) we are necessarily caught up in this war (Eph. 6). As we go forth to battle as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (II Tim. 2:1-4), we must remember that our battle is a doctrinal one; we have a new message (Romans chapters 1-11); a new motivation (the love of Christ demonstrated at Calvary---not our love for Christ); a new authority structure (Rom. 13); and the first generation of the Church had brand new spiritual gifts with which to serve the Lord and one another (Rom. 12); BUT THEY STILL HAD THEIR OWN CARNAL FLESH TO CONTEND WITH IN ADDITON TO DOCTRINES OF DEVILS. This combination of internal and external enemies was a force to be reckoned with in the life of each grace believer (II Cor. 4:7). God knew that it was not going to be easy to carry such a liberating message of grace to a world of His former enemies now reconciled.

3. At the time Paul penned these verses there was intense physical violence directed at God’s “higher powers” and those who provided leadership to this new program of God on earth…(II Cor. 11:24-28… Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.) Paul wanted grace believers to know how to handle physical persecution directed at God’s messengers of grace. A good summary of verses 17-21 is---your goal is to make your enemies your friends (if possible).

4. Apparently, in view of the persecution of grace believers, they were asking Paul if God really cared about what the lost were doing to them; why couldn’t they defend themselves? Paul reminds them in verse 19 that they are the “dearly beloved” of God and therefore should never think of themselves as victims. Because of the work of Christ on the Cross (II Cor. 5:17-21) the world of lost sinners (God’s enemies are now reconciled). They desperately need to hear this message of reconciliation. As ambassadors of reconciliation we should not see ourselves as conquerors of God’s enemies but “more than conquerors”. What is more than a conqueror? An ambassador of reconciliation… Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

5. In order to obey the instructions of verses 17-21, you must arm yourself with the knowledge of God’s love and purpose on earth in this dispensation rather than “who loves me and is showing it”? You are not going to get a lot of love here on earth from people. When Paul tells them/us to “avenge not yourselves” he goes on to remind them/us that “He will repay” for any bad treatment we receive in His behalf… Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (II Tim 4:14) No one will get away with anything in the end. When seeking revenge on someone it reflects the thinking that the person is accountable to me instead of God. I am sure there were some believers in the early Church who wanted to hurt those who had so terribly treated their Apostle Paul. Paul warns them not to do that.

6. These verses reflect the fact that the very nature of the dispensation of grace is that God is longsuffering. He (God) is not responding to sin with direct judgment as He did in the Old Testament. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Rom. 5:10).Therefore, the saints can expect some bad treatment by God’s enemies now reconciled for a long time because He is longsuffering… And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. [16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting (I Tim. 1:14-16). Paul is a pattern of God’s longsuffering in this dispensation.

Verse 18 states that we should not do battle with a contentious spirit---we are to seek peace. The acceptance of grace results in peace. The rejection of grace brings contentions. How do we handle this? He says “as much as lieth in you”; so what lies in you as a grace believer? Is this telling us to try to control your temper? No. What lies within you in grace doctrine; Christ formed in you…My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, (Gal. 4:19). We are never to compromise the truth in order to achieve peace in a relationship. If grace truth creates division, then it is not you creating trouble, it is the person rejecting it that is the troublemaker…I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. (Gal. 5:10) Even though there was trouble wherever Paul went, he was not a troublemaker…And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6)

It is easy to read verses like II Thess. 2:7…But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: and take that as your model of ministry. However, four verses later Paul says he also ministered like a father…As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, (vs. 11). God does not let us pick our preferred method of ministry as an ambassador of reconciliation and grace; both are appropriate in a given situation and prayer is the means to know which one is to be done when. There is a time to talk like a nursing mother and a time to talk like an exhorting father. Paul talked like this at times…Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.[10] For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: [11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (Tit. 1:9-11). For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:20)

Verse 19 advices us to “give place unto wrath” and that “vengeance is mine”. There were two ways that they could see the “vengeance of God” displayed---the “higher powers” were gifted by the Holy Spirit to deal directly with sin in the life of a grace believer. The grace believers were to “give place to wrath”. The proper place for sin to be dealt with was by the “higher powers” (I Cor. 5:1-5). Secondly, God assures them/us that He will deal with these matters once again at the end of this dispensation…In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (II Thess. 1:8-9); and at the judgment seat of Christ (I Cor. 3 & II Cor. 5). So how do grace believers go out and do battle with sin and sinners? We go out remembering what this dispensation is all about---the Cross has made a world of enemies God’s friends. It is not our place to bring vengeance on sinners; it’s the Cross we lift up. Our message is not vengeance.  

7. Paul is comparing the grace mentality about enemies with “kingdom mentality”. Jesus was confrontational in His ministry to Israel…Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
[17] Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? (Matt. 23:16-17). This is not our model and Paul is trying to teach grace believers in Rome that our program is different from the Kingdom program to Israel. Verses 20 is quoted from Proverbs 25:22…For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. I don’t know what this means exactly but it is clear that we are to be willing to do something good for our enemies---give them food and water. Also note that Paul does not quote the last part of Prov. 25:22 to grace believers---apparently there is no reward for feeding hungry people.

In the kingdom program, disciples of Jesus were to sell all they had and give to the poor. Why? Because in the coming kingdom they would not need their possessions. However, the kingdom was temporarily set aside and the kingdom believers who had sold their possessions had all things in common and they soon ran out of provisions. Paul is setting the record straight on how to live in the dispensation of grace…For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.[12] Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. (II Thess. 3:10-12)

Vs. 17-21…Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. [18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore 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. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

It is critical that we understand what these verses are telling us in light of the context:

1. These verses convey what a “renewed mind” (Rom. 12:1-2) looks like as a grace believer lives out the details of life from day to day. Paul is preparing them for physical persecution and how to respond.

2. These verses also inform the grace believer that there is a war going on between God and Satan. Since we are now members of the new creature (the Church, the body of Christ) we are necessarily caught up in this war (Eph. 6). As we go forth to battle as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (II Tim. 2:1-4), we must remember that our battle is a doctrinal one; we have a new message (Romans chapters 1-11); a new motivation (the love of Christ demonstrated at Calvary---not our love for Christ); a new authority structure (Rom. 13); and the first generation of the Church had brand new spiritual gifts with which to serve the Lord and one another (Rom. 12); BUT THEY STILL HAD THEIR OWN CARNAL FLESH TO CONTEND WITH IN ADDITON TO DOCTRINES OF DEVILS. This combination of internal and external enemies was a force to be reckoned with in the life of each grace believer (II Cor. 4:7). God knew that it was not going to be easy to carry such a liberating message of grace to a world of His former enemies now reconciled.

3. At the time Paul penned these verses there was intense physical violence directed at God’s “higher powers” and those who provided leadership to this new program of God on earth…(II Cor. 11:24-28… Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.) Paul wanted grace believers to know how to handle physical persecution directed at God’s messengers of grace. A good summary of verses 17-21 is---your goal is to make your enemies your friends (if possible).

4. Apparently, in view of the persecution of grace believers, they were asking Paul if God really cared about what the lost were doing to them; why couldn’t they defend themselves? Paul reminds them in verse 19 that they are the “dearly beloved” of God and therefore should never think of themselves as victims. Because of the work of Christ on the Cross (II Cor. 5:17-21) the world of lost sinners (God’s enemies are now reconciled). They desperately need to hear this message of reconciliation. As ambassadors of reconciliation we should not see ourselves as conquerors of God’s enemies but “more than conquerors”. What is more than a conqueror? An ambassador of reconciliation… Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

5. In order to obey the instructions of verses 17-21, you must arm yourself with the knowledge of God’s love and purpose on earth in this dispensation rather than “who loves me and is showing it”? You are not going to get a lot of love here on earth from people. When Paul tells them/us to “avenge not yourselves” he goes on to remind them/us that “He will repay” for any bad treatment we receive in His behalf… Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (II Tim 4:14) No one will get away with anything in the end. When seeking revenge on someone it reflects the thinking that the person is accountable to me instead of God. I am sure there were some believers in the early Church who wanted to hurt those who had so terribly treated their Apostle Paul. Paul warns them not to do that.

6. These verses reflect the fact that the very nature of the dispensation of grace is that God is longsuffering. He (God) is not responding to sin with direct judgment as He did in the Old Testament. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Rom. 5:10).Therefore, the saints can expect some bad treatment by God’s enemies now reconciled for a long time because He is longsuffering… And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. [16] Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting (I Tim. 1:14-16). Paul is a pattern of God’s longsuffering in this dispensation.

Verse 18 states that we should not do battle with a contentious spirit---we are to seek peace. The acceptance of grace results in peace. The rejection of grace brings contentions. How do we handle this? He says “as much as lieth in you”; so what lies in you as a grace believer? Is this telling us to try to control your temper? No. What lies within you in grace doctrine; Christ formed in you…My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, (Gal. 4:19). We are never to compromise the truth in order to achieve peace in a relationship. If grace truth creates division, then it is not you creating trouble, it is the person rejecting it that is the troublemaker…I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. (Gal. 5:10) Even though there was trouble wherever Paul went, he was not a troublemaker…And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6)

It is easy to read verses like II Thess. 2:7…But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: and take that as your model of ministry. However, four verses later Paul says he also ministered like a father…As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, (vs. 11). God does not let us pick our preferred method of ministry as an ambassador of reconciliation and grace; both are appropriate in a given situation and prayer is the means to know which one is to be done when. There is a time to talk like a nursing mother and a time to talk like an exhorting father. Paul talked like this at times…Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
[10] For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
[11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. (Tit. 1:9-11). For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph. 6:20)

Verse 19 advices us to “give place unto wrath” and that “vengeance is mine”. There were two ways that they could see the “vengeance of God” displayed---the “higher powers” were gifted by the Holy Spirit to deal directly with sin in the life of a grace believer. The grace believers were to “give place to wrath”. The proper place for sin to be dealt with was by the “higher powers” (I Cor. 5:1-5). Secondly, God assures them/us that He will deal with these matters once again at the end of this dispensation…In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (II Thess. 1:8-9); and at the judgment seat of Christ (I Cor. 3 & II Cor. 5). So how do grace believers go out and do battle with sin and sinners? We go out remembering what this dispensation is all about---the Cross has made a world of enemies God’s friends. It is not our place to bring vengeance on sinners; it’s the Cross we lift up. Our message is not vengeance.  

7. Paul is comparing the grace mentality about enemies with “kingdom mentality”. Jesus was confrontational in His ministry to Israel…Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
[17] Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? (Matt. 23:16-17). This is not our model and Paul is trying to teach grace believers in Rome that our program is different from the Kingdom program to Israel. Verses 20 is quoted from Proverbs 25:22…For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. I don’t know what this means exactly but it is clear that we are to be willing to do something good for our enemies---give them food and water. Also note that Paul does not quote the last part of Prov. 25:22 to grace believers---apparently there is no reward for feeding hungry people.

In the kingdom program, disciples of Jesus were to sell all they had and give to the poor. Why? Because in the coming kingdom they would not need their possessions. However, the kingdom was temporarily set aside and the kingdom believers who had sold their possessions had all things in common and they soon ran out of provisions. Paul is setting the record straight on how to live in the dispensation of grace…For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.[12] Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. (II Thess. 3:10-12)