Romans 12:9-21
Romans 12:9-21
- Reading the Text:
-
NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
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Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES
id, AV.
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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- Historical References, Commentary and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
-
Chapter VI, The
Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians,
Polycarp of Smyrna (c 115).
-
Similitude IV,
Shepherd of
Hermas. (c.145)
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V.XXII.2, Adversus
Haereses,
Irenaeus of Lyons.
(c. 180)
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II.6, Paedagogus,
Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
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II.9,
IV.7,
IV.16, Stromata,
Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
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Chapter X, On
Patience,
Tertullian
(c. 202)
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II.18, Against
Marcion,
Tertullian
(c. 208)
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IV.16, Against
Marcion,
Tertullian
(c. 210)
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Chapter
VI, Exhortation to Chastity,
Tertullian
(c. 210)
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Chapter XIII, On
Idolatry,
Tertullian
(c. 211)
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V.14, Against
Marcion,
Tertullian
(c. 212)
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II.VIII.3, First
Principles (De Principiis),
Origen.
(c.225)
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VIII.XXXVIII,
Against Celsus,
Origen
(c. 246)
-
An Address
to Demetrianus --
Cyprian
of Carthage (c. 252)
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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."
"In
the I AM," Blogging toward Sunday, Kristin Swenson, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
- "We can hope for justice because God Is."
"Dorothy Day's Radical Hospitality," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at)
"Hospitality," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian
Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
"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.
"Sincere Love," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible
Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed
textual notes.
"What is
This Thing Called Love? (Romans 12:9-13)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- "The staying power of love is
closely related to its constant companions, faith and hope."
"Loving Your
Enemies: Overcoming Evil With Good (Romans 12:14-21)," by Robert Deffinbaugh at
the Biblical Studies Foundation.
- "The uniqueness of Christianity
stands out boldly in the way we treat our enemies."
Death
Penalty Resources from The Other Side on
line. (Archived.)
- "While the ethical problems with capital punishment are many, our
opposition to the death penalty is rooted most fundamentally in the teachings and life of
Jesus."
Articles & Background:
-
"Social Identity, the Virtues, and the Good Life: A New Approach to Romans
12:1 - 15:13," Philip F. Esler, Biblical Theology Bulletin, 2003.
- "...this part of the letter can be
interpreted both as Paul's attempt to outline descriptors of the new
identity his addressees experience as members of the Christ-movement,
especially in relation to agape, and as a vision of the moral life very
similar to the Aristotelian interest in the virtues as the means to
promote human flourishing."
-
"Dying Well," Abigail Rian Evans,
(other resources at)
"Health," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian
Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
- "Dying well begins
with our perspective on life and living well."
-
"Building a Place for Hospitality," Christine D. Pohl,
(other resources at)
"Hospitality," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian
Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
- "Hospitality
quickly takes on earthy dimensions?buildings, beds and blankets,
pots and pans?as we share our place, make use of what is available,
or create new places. How can we sustain personal, small-scale
places of welcome along with more institutionalized expressions of
care?"
-
"Soteriology and Eschatology in Romans," Robert E Longacre & Wilber B
Wallis, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1998.
- "At all events we approach this epistle
not simply as an object of analysis but as a book meant to exercise a
regulative and inspirational effect upon us."
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).
- Barram, Michael,
"Between Text and Sermon: Romans 12:9-21," Interpretation, 2003.
(See also,
"Evil," issue focus, Interpretation, 2003.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Braaten, Carl E., "Romans 12:14-21,
Expository Article," Interpretation, 1984.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Dahood, Mitchell J., S.J., "Two
Pauline Quotations from the Old Testament," The Catholic Biblical
Quarterly, 1955.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Day, John N.,
"'Coals of Fire' in Romans 12:19-20," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
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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
- Gustafson, Roger R.,
"Covenants Strained and Strengthened," The Living Pulpit, 2005.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Harrisville, Roy A.,
"'Do not repay evil with evil': Preaching Romans 12:9-21," Word
& World, 2008.
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
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Kanjuparambil, Philip, "Imperative Participles in Romans 12:9-21,"
Journal of Biblical Literature,
1983.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
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Longacre, Robert E. and Wilber B.
Wallis, "Soteriology and Eschatology in Romans,"
Journal of the Evangelical
Theological Society, 1998.
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
- Sensing, "Timothy, "From Exegesis to
Sermon in Romans 12:9-21," Restoration Quarterly, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Stendahl, Krister, "Hate,
Non-Retaliation, and Love, 1 QS X, 17-20 and Romans 12:19-21,"
Harvard Theological Review, 1962.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Stone, Lance,
"Forgiveness," Journal for Preachers, 2006. Sermon.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
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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
- Wong, Erick K.C., "The De-Radicalization of Jesus'
Ethical Sayings in Romans," Novum Testamentum, 2001. (See
especially "The Love for Enemies (Romans 12:14) beginning on page 247.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Yinger, Kent L.,
"Romans 12:14-21 and Nonretaliation in Second Temple Judaism: Addressing
Persecution within the Community,"
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
Reviews:
Sermons:
- Trusting God to Settle Scores, the Rev. Dr. Peter Marty, Day 1, 2011.
- Heaping Coals And Virtues, Jeff Wedge, StoryShare.
-
"Love
in Action," Dr. Eloise R. Scott, Lutheran Theological Seminary Chapel,
2005.
-
"Prayer:
Connecting to the Divine Presence," the Rev. Arthur Cribbs, 30 Good
Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2002.
-
"The Doormat
Syndrome," John Jewell, 2003.
-
"Christian--But!"
Bishop Woodie White, Day 1, 2002.
-
"Quality Above
Power," Dr. Myron Augsburger, 30 Good
Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1995.
-
"Forgiveness: It
Just Ain't Fair," Philip Yancey, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday
Evening Club, 1993.
With Chldren:
- Worshiping with Children, Proper 17, 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: Carole Boston Weatherford and Kadir Nelson, Romans 12:9-21 and Just the Way You Are by Max Lucado and Sergio Martinez.
-
"Go the Extra
Mile," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
-
"Be A Living
Sacrifice to God,"
children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian
Center.
Drama:
Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
-
Romans 12:12, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
Hymns and Music:
Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's
Art Index:
Study Links and Resources for the Book of Romans