Romans 12:9-21

• 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: 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• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts: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
    • "Love Your Enemy"
    • "Turn the Other Cheek" 
  • Chapter VI, The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, Polycarp of Smyrna (c 115).
  • Similitude IV, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
  • V.XXII.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • II.6, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • II.9, IV.7, IV.16, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter X, On Patience, Tertullian (c. 202)
  • II.18, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208)
  • IV.16, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter VI, Exhortation to Chastity, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XIII, On Idolatry, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • V.14, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
  • II.VIII.3, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • VIII.XXXVIII, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
  • An Address to Demetrianus -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
  • Chapter XIV, Historia Calamitatusm: The Story of My Misfortunes, Pierre Abélard / Peter Abelard, c. 1140.
  • "Gifts and Works of Christ's Members," Romans 12:6-16, Martin Luther, c. 1522.
  • From Martin Luther's Bible Commentary (1545).
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "There is nothing that disrupts harmony as much as seeking glory, when every man detests a base estate, and ambitiously seeks to be exalted."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "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."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "It is remarkable, that the apostle, treating expressly of the duties flowing from the communion of saints, yet never says one word about the dead."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "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."
  • "Constant, Instant, Expectant," Romans 12:12, Charles H. Spurgeon, 1879.
    • "Some have a way of flashing a prayer or two, but their piety is only a dying light, it will all be over soon. Continue instant in prayer, it shall be the test of whether your prayer is a lamp of the Lord or a dying light of your own kindling."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "Do not seek for official or social distinction. Obedience to this would eliminate caste from the church."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Romans 12:9-21, Mary Hinkle Shore, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "All of the verbal forms are plural. The words are a window on what life in Christ looks like in community."
  • Lectionary Blogging, August 28, 2011, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2011.
    • " Matthew means these words as words of reassurance.  There will be a reward for the sacrifice of Jesus' disciples."
  • Commentary, Romans 12:9-21, Mark Reasoner, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
    • "After discussing how God has gifted various church members with faith appropriate for different roles in the church, Paul offers a poetic composition on how love reaches for the common good in the church."
  • "First Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 11, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in
    • "Without reconciliation or acknowledged difference there can be no balance. Paul is also realistic. Peace is not always possible (12:18). We need to bear that in mind when Paul urges submission to the structures of authority in society in the next chapter. Sometimes it is not possible."
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 18. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
    • "The Good News that you heard included an invitation: right now, as you are, you can be a part of something -- specifically, a member of the Body of Christ...The tricky part is that the Body of Christ includes an awful lot of people who are every bit as difficult as we are."