Romans Chapter 12 Vs. 5

 

Gifts of Grace

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Rom 12:5

So we, being... Paul here compares the body of Christ to a human body (1Cor. 12:12-28).

Eph. 5:30: “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.”

We can see how important it is for us to be in one accord in the church. If we are one body as the Scripture says, then when we tear at someone else in the church we are tearing up the body.

As Paul explained, a parallelism exists between a believer’s physical body which has parts with differing functions and the community of believers in Christ as a spiritual body (cf. 1Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:11-12, 4:15-16). The point is that each member functions to serve the body, not the body to serve the members. The diversity of the many accompanies the unity of the body. Therefore it is important to think soundly about oneself and to evaluate properly God’s gifts and their uses.

Ezekiel Chapter 40 Vs. 10

 The East Gate to the Outer Court

And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side. Eze 40:10




the little chambers... Described here are accommodations for the ministering priest and temple officers who care for the temple.

posts had one... Each of the posts of the gate, on each side of the entrance through the 10 feet 6 inches wall and past the chambers on each side, from the inside of the wall to the porch of the gate measured 2 cubits—3 feet 6 inches (Eze. 40:9-10).




This was one of three gates leading into the outer court. Since it faced east, it was the most important gate.

Romans Chapter 12 Vs. 4

 

Gifts of Grace

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: Rom 12:4

1Cor. 12:12-14 “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.” “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” “For the body is not one member, but many.”

A true church is many members making up one body. We see in that body that there are many different offices.

1Cor. 12:28 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

As a result every Christian should have a proper sense of humility and an awareness of his need to be involved with other members of Christ’s body. As Paul explained, a parallelism exists between a believer’s physical body which has parts with differing functions and the community of believers in Christ as a spiritual body (cf. 1Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:11-12, 4:15-16).

Ezekiel Chapter 40 Vs. 9

 The East Gate to the Outer Court

Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was inward. Eze 40:9




eight cubits; and... At 21 inches for the long cubit, this would be 14 feet.

The porch was 8 cubits or 14 feet. The porch then was, 9 or 10 feet wide and 14 feet long. We know that there were at least two posts, because it is plural. Each of them were 3 ft. We do not know, whether these posts are round or square.



Ezekiel passed into the outer court through the gate facing east. This was one of three gates leading into the outer court. Since it faced east, it was the most important gate.

Romans Chapter 12 Vs. 3

 

Gifts of Grace

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. Rom 12:3

given unto me... This refers to Paul’s apostleship by the grace of God (Rom. 1:5; Eph. 3:8).

not to think... Not to be conceited and self-important, but to take a sane view of himself.

The righteousness of God will cause the believer to conduct himself in humility in the local church. Paul meets two dangers that the individual faced in the exercise of his spiritual gifts. He might overestimate himself and try to exercise a gift God never gave him. Or he might underestimate himself and fail to exercise the gift God has given to him. Paul shows that God has given each believer specific gifts to enable him to do what God wants him to do. No one is excluded.

The grace and the divine, undeserved favor that called Paul to be an apostle and gave him spiritual authority, also gave him sincere humility.

To think soberly is the exercise of sound judgment, which will lead believers to recognize that in themselves they are nothing and will yield the fruit of humility.

the measure of... Faith is the correct proportion of the spiritual gift or supernatural endowment and ability the Holy Spirit gives each believer so he may fulfill his role in the body of Christ. “Faith” is not saving faith, but rather faithful stewardship, the kind and quantity required to use one’s own particular gift. Every believer receives the exact gift and resources he needs to fulfill his role in the body of Christ.

It seems so strange to some people how one person seems to have more faith than the other, if we have all received our measure of faith. The truth is that our faith grows as we use it and as we read the word of God.

1Cor. 12:7-9 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;” “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”

We can see from these Scriptures that there is a gift of faith that we can pray and receive. This is not a normal amount of faith, but a supernatural faith; which is a gift of the Spirit.

In Christian ministry

A believer’s consecration to God and his transformed lifestyle is demonstrated in his exercising his spiritual gifts in the body of Christ. As an apostle of Christ (by the grace given me; cf. Rom. 1:5; 15:15-16) he warned his readers individually (every one of you), Do not think of yourself more highly (hyperphronein, “think higher”) than you ought. An inflated view of oneself is out of place in the Christian life. Then Paul encouraged them, But rather think (phronein) of yourself with sober judgment (sōphronein, “sound thinking”), in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. God has given each believer some faith by which to serve Him. By his involved word play on various forms of the verb phroneō, “to think,” Paul emphasized that human pride is wrong (cf. Rom. 3:27; 11:18, 11:20) partly because all natural abilities and spiritual gifts are from God.

Ezekiel Chapter 40 Vs. 8

 The East Gate to the Outer Court

He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed. Eze 40:8




The inside porch was 10.5 feet.

The porch was 8 cubits or 12 feet. The porch then was, 9 or 10 feet wide and 12 feet long. We know that there were at least two posts, because it is plural. Each of them was 3 ft. We do not know, whether these posts are round or square.



He described the gate in detail, with its steps… threshold, guards’ alcoves… portico facing the temple… with palm trees (Eze_40:16) along the projecting walls.

Romans Chapter 12 Vs. 2

 

A Living Sacrifice

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. Rom 12:2

be not conformed... Note the two commands of this verse.

Conformed... Greek: suschematizo, to conform to another’s example. Used only here and in 1Pet. 1:14.

to this world... Greek: aion, age. Do not pattern after this age or to the times (see, Heb. 1:2).

be ye transformed... Greek: metamorphoo, transformed or transfigured by a supernatural change, as in Mat. 17:2; Mark 9:2; Rom. 12:2; 2Cor. 3:18. This change is by a renewing of the mind or spirit (Tit. 3:5; cp. 2Cor. 4:16; Col. 3:10; Heb. 6:6; Eph. 4:23).

that ye may... Six things that constitute the acceptable and perfect will of God:

1. Present your bodies a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1; 1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:20).

2. Make the body holy (Rom. 12:1; 2Cor. 7:1).

3. Make self acceptable to God (Rom. 12:1).

4. Render reasonable service (Rom. 12:1).

5. Be not conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2).

6. Be transformed from the world (Rom. 12:2).

and perfect, will... Greek: teleios, that which has reached its end; nothing more to complete it.

Paul says, “Stop conforming yourselves”. They are to resist being poured into the mold of the present thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world. Again this term is used only here and in 1Pet. 1:14.

God’s will refers to His purpose for the life of the believer. It implies His guidance or direction in all of life’s decisions. Dedication is an act of surrender or submission to His will for our lives whereby we become a “Living sacrifice.”

The Greek word, for which the English word “metamorphosis” comes, connotes a change in outward appearance. Matthew uses the same word to describe the Transfiguration. Just as Christ briefly and in a limited way displayed outwardly His inner, divine nature and glory at the Transfiguration, Christians should outwardly manifest their inner, redeemed natures, not once, but daily.

The renewing of your mind is the kind of transformation that occurs only as the Holy Spirit changes our thinking through consistent study and meditation of Scripture (Psm. 119:11).

“Good, acceptable, and perfect is the Holy living which God approves. These words borrow from the Old Testament sacrificial language and describe a life that is morally and spiritually spotless, just as the sacrificial animals were to be.

The things that displeased God in the Old Testament are still what displease Him today. God wants us to be holy as He is holy. Jesus is coming back for those who are without spot or wrinkle. If you have sin in your life, repent and ask God to help you live free of sin.

Again, Paul then stated general implications of a believer’s offering his life to God as a sacrifice. Such an offering represents a complete change in lifestyle, involving both a negative and a positive aspect. First, Paul commanded, Do not conform (lit., “Do not be conformed”; this Gr. word occurs elsewhere in the NT only in 1Pet. 1:14) any longer to the pattern of this world (aiōni, “Age”). Living according to the lifestyle of “the present evil Age” (Gal. 1:4; cf. Eph. 1:21) must now be put aside. Then Paul commanded, But be transformed (pres. passive imper., “keep on being transformed”) by the renewing of your mind. The Greek verb translated “transformed” (metamorphousthe) is seen in the English word “metamorphosis,” a total change from inside out (cf. 2Cor. 3:18). The key to this change is the “mind” (noos), the control center of one’s attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions (cf. Eph. 4:22-23). As one’s mind keeps on being made new by the spiritual input of God’s Word, prayer, and Christian fellowship, his lifestyle keeps on being transformed.

Paul added, Then you will be able to test and approve (dokimazein, “prove by testing” [1Pet. 1:7, “proved genuine”], i.e., ascertain) what God’s will is — His good, pleasing (cf. Rom. 12:1), and perfect will. These three qualities are not attributes of God’s will as the NIV and some other translations imply. Rather, Paul said that God’s will itself is what is good, well-pleasing (to Him), and perfect. “Good,” for example, is not an adjective (God’s “good” will) but a noun (God’s will is what is good — good, i.e., for each believer).

As a Christian is transformed in his mind and is made more like Christ, he comes to approve and desire God’s will, not his own will for his life. Then he discovers that God’s will is what is good for him, and that it pleases God, and is complete in every way. It is all he needs. But only by being renewed spiritually can a believer ascertain, do, and enjoy the will of God.