Romans 12:1-8

Romans 12:1-8

Reading the Text:

NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
The Blue Letter Bible . KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.

Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:

Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit
- "Self-Sacrifice"
- "Separation from the World"
Commandment 2, Commandment X.2, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
Chapter XIII, Apology for the Christians, Athenagoras of Athens. (c 177)
V.XX.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
Exegetical Fragments. (XXXVII), Irenaeus (c 180).
III.12, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
II.9, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
II.13, On The Apparel of Women, Tertullian (c. 202)
Chapter XLVII, On the Resurrection of the Flesh, Tertullian (c. 211)
Chapter VIII, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
Epistle LXXVI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 255)
"The Fruits of Faith," Romans 12:1-5, Martin Luther, c. 1522.
From Martin Luther's Bible Commentary (1545).
From the Geneva Notes.
- "The fourth part of this epistle, which after the finishing of the principal points of Christian doctrine, consists in the declaring of precepts of the Christian life. And first of all he gives general precepts and grounds: the principal of which is this, that every man consecrate himself wholly to the spiritual service of God, and do as it were sacrifice himself, trusting the grace of God."
From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
- "We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings?"
From Wesley's Notes.
- "Gifts are various: grace is one."
From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- "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.""
From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- "But a new order of sacrifice has come in. We should give ourselves."

Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:

	Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf) Commentary, Romans 12:1-8, Mary Hinkle Shore,, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011. " To be enslaved to sin is to have one's body commandeered every bit as much as one's soul." Commentary, Romans 12:1-8, Mark Reasoner, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008. "Paul's main point about spiritual gifts, mentioned in verse 6, is that God has given us these as members of the body of Christ. So we are to use the particular gift God has given us to help the body function, not to promote ourselves or show how we as one body part are better than others who are another body part."
	"First Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 10, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia. "When we are free from the obsession with establishing our own importance we can then see ourselves for who we are."
	Commentary, Romans 12:1-2, John E. Guns, The African American Lectionary, 2008. "This text calls us to yield ourselves completely to God through Jesus Christ, living a life of meaningful service."
	"Positively Maladjusted: Martin Luther King and 'Transformed Nonconformity,'" The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008. "Paul is clear about the general direction of the journey with Jesus: transformed non-conformity."
	"A New Vision of Righteousness: Paul's Exhortations in Romans 12-15," Peter L. Samuelson, Word & World, 1990.
	"Sacrifice in Romans 12-15," Calvin J. Roetzel, Word & World, 1986.
	"Life in God's Service," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
	"Life in Christian Community," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2008.
	"Gifts of New Music," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Singing Our Lives," Christian Reflection, The* Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006.*
	"Heavenly Hunger," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Food and Hunger," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
	"The Road to Renewal (Romans 12:1-2)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation. "Paul’s words here not only compare the Christian’s commitment to serve God to the Old Testament sacrifices, they contrast it with their former lifestyle."
	"Thinking Straight About Spiritual Gifts (Romans 12:3-8)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation. "Gifts are given and received in various ways."
	"The Meekness, Membership, and Ministry of the Believer (Romans 12:3-8)," by Hampton Keathley IV at the Biblical Studies Foundation. "The purpose of the allotted faith and membership in the body is ministry to others in the body."
	"The Renewal of Perception: Romans 12:2 and Post Modernity," Doug Heidebrecht, Direction, 1996.

Articles & Background:

Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).

Bartlett, David, "Preaching for Ordinary Time," Journal for Preachers, 2008. (Section on this text begins on page 47.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Berding, Kenneth, "Confusing Word and Concept in 'Spiritual Gifts': Have We Forgotten James Bar's Exhortations?" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Brenner, Daniel S., "Late-Night Covenants: A Jewish Perspective on Sinai and Study," The Living Pulpit, 2005.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Bryant, Robert A., "Between Text and Sermon: Romans 12:1-8," Interpretation, 2004. (See also, Romans, issue focus for Interpretation, 2004.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Campbell, Charles L., "An Odd People," Journal for Preachers, 2002. Sermon.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Engberg-Pedersen, Troels, "Paul's Stoicizing Politics in Romans 12-13: The Role of 13:1-10 in the Argument," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Heidebrecht, Doug, "The Renewal of Perception: Romans 12:2 and Post Modernity," Direction, 1996.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Hiebert, D. Edmond, "Presentation and Transformation: An Exposition of Romans 12:1-2," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1994.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Horrell, David G., "The Peaceable, Tolerant Community and the Legitimate Role of the State: Ethics and Ethical Dilemmas in Romans 12:1-15:13," Review & Expositor, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Janzen, J. Gerald, "A New Approach to LOGIKEN LATREIAN in Romans 12:1-2," Encounter, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Jones, Peter Rhea, "The New Deadly Sins, Romans 12:1-2," Ex Auditu, 2001.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Lamborn, Amy Bentley, "Covenant Signs Abound," The Living Pulpit, 2005.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Mason, Elliott J., Sr., "Joy and Prayer," The Living Pulpit, 2006. (see Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit 5.4, 1996.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
McKee, Elsie Anne, "Calvin's Exegesis of Romans 12:8 -- Social, Accidental, or Theological?" Calvin Theological Journal, 1988.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Peterson, David, "Worship and Ethics in Romans 12," Tyndale Bulletin, 1993.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Roetzel, Calvin J., "Sacrifice in Romans 12-15," Word & World, 1986.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Samuelson, Peter L., "A New Vision of Righteousness: Paul's Exhortations in Romans 12-15," Word & World, 1990.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Smiga, George, "Romans 12:1-2 and 15:30-32 and the Occasion of the Letter to the Romans," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1991.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Stoessel, Horace E., "Notes on Romans 12:1-2, The Renewal of the Mind and Internalizing the Truth," Interpretation, 1963.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Thorsteinsson, Runar M., "Paul and Roman Stoicism: Romans 12 and Contemporary Stoic Ethics," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2006.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Westhelle, Vitor, "Paul's Reconstruction of Theology: Romans 9-14 in Context," Word & World, 1984.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials

Sermons:

Gilly, a Diligent Leader John Sumwalt, StoryShare
"I Wonder about God's Will for My Life," the Rev. Charles Reeb, Day 1, 2005.
"Offerings to God," "The Body of Christ," from a series of sermons on the book of Romans by Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Washington.

With Children:

Worshiping with Children, Proper 16, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2011.
"Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," August 21 & 28 (scroll down for Aug 28), 2011, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Romans 12:1-8 and The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear by David Bruins.
"The Holy Spirit Brings Many Gifts to Us," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
"The Gift of God," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
"Be A Living Sacrifice to God," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
"Learning from a Flock of Geese," Geoff Wilson, sermons4kids.com.
"Everyone Needs Tuning," Laura S. Young, sermons4kids.com.

Drama:

"The Kitchen Hand," Michelle Pitman, dramatix.
"Alien," Paul Clark, dramatix.
"Choices," Robin and Delwyn McKenzie.
"Peer Pressure," Michael English, Milton Parish Church Drama Resources.

Graphics & Bulletin Materials:

Clip Art, Romans 12:2, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
Romans 12:1, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.

Hymns and Music:

"There Are Many Ways of Sharing" an original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 2004,  celebrates the gifts of the Spirit for the Church. NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing").
Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
"One Word Created," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, new, relevant hymn set to traditional tunes.
Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Romans 12:1. The Cyber Hymnal.

Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:

Study Links and Resources for the Book of Romans