Romans 12 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

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                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

                             Chapter Twelve

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see the difference between conformation and transformation,
   understanding the process involved in being transformed

2) To appreciate the diversity of service in the Body of Christ

SUMMARY

Having concluded his discourses concerning the gospel (chs. 1-8) and
God's dealings with the nation of Israel (chs. 9-11), Paul now exhorts
his readers to full service in the kingdom of God.

He begins with a plea to present their bodies as living sacrifices and 
to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, so that they can 
demonstrate in themselves that the will of God is good, acceptable, and 
perfect (1-2).  He then encourages them to fulfill their proper place 
in the Body of Christ with proper humility and zeal (3-8).

Finally, there are a list of commands which are to govern the 
Christian's life and attitude towards love, good and evil, brethren in 
the Lord, service to God, and response to persecution (9-21).

OUTLINE

I. AN APPEAL TO CONSECRATION (1-2)

   A. PRESENT YOUR BODIES AS LIVING SACRIFICES (1)
      1. In view of the mercies of God (1a)
      2. Which is your reasonable (spiritual, NAS) service (1b)

   B. BE TRANSFORMED, NOT CONFORMED TO THE WORLD (2)
      1. By the renewing of your mind (2a)
      2. To prove the good, acceptable, and perfect will God (2b)

II. SERVE GOD AS MEMBERS OF ONE BODY (3-8)

   A. WITH HUMILITY (3)
      1. In all seriousness (3a)
      2. For what we are comes from God (3b)

   B. WITH APPRECIATION FOR DIVERSITY (4-5)
      1. Members do not have the same function (4)
      2. But we are one, members of one another (5)

   C. WITH ZEAL, NO MATTER WHAT OUR GIFTS (6-8)

III. MISCELLANEOUS EXHORTATIONS (9-21)

   A. AS CHRISTIANS (9-16)
      1. Concerning love, good and evil (9)
      2. Loving and honoring brethren (10)
      3. Fervent in our service (11)
      4. Rejoicing, patient, prayerful (12)
      5. Caring for saints (13)
      6. Blessing our enemies (14)
      7. Sharing joys and sorrows (15)
      8. Humble in our relations together (16)

   B. RESPONDING TO EVIL (17-21)
      1. Do not repay with evil, be mindful of what is good (17)
      2. If possible, be at peace (18)
      3. Give place to the wrath of God (19)
      4. Overcome evil by responding with good (20-21)

WORDS TO PONDER

the mercies of God - the many blessings alluded to in the first eleven
                     chapters

a living sacrifice - an offering that is living, not dead

conform - "to fashion or shape one thing like another... this verb has
          more special reference to that which is transitory,
          changeable, unstable" (VINE) - this word is different than 
          that found in Romans 8:29

transform - "to change into another form; [as used in Ro 12:2] to 
            undergo a complete change, which under the power of God, 
            will find expression in character and conduct" (VINE)

overcome evil with good - the goal of the Christian's response to evil

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) List the main points of this chapter
   - An Appeal To Consecration (1-2)
   - Serve God As Members Of One Body (3-8)
   - Miscellaneous Exhortations (9-21)

2) Upon what does Paul make his plea? (1)
   - The mercies of God; their reasonable service

3) How is a Christian to present himself before God? (1)
   - As a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God

4) How is one transformed? (2)
   - By the renewing of their minds

5) What is the purpose of such transformation? (2)
   - To prove (demonstrate) what is the good, acceptable, and perfect
     will of God

6) What illustration shows our dependence upon each other in the 
   church? (4-5)
   - Members of a body

7) How are Christians to respond to evil? (19-21)
   - In a positive way, with good
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