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Transformation READ Romans 12:2 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.   Typical of his writing, after dealing with doctrine the apostle Paul applies the teaching to daily living for the believer. Chapter 12 now switches to that. Here he tells believers not to copy the ways of the world. As God transfo

Hard Work READ Romans 12:11-13 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.   After praising God for all He has done, Paul now begins to list what Christ-followers should do. Observe the specific instructions: 1) Never be lazy; 2) work hard; 3) enthusiastically serve the Lord; 4)

Governing Authorities READ Romans 13:1-3 1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is ri

We Belong to the Day READ Romans 13:13-14 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.   Paul appeals to believers to live decent lives that others can see. He tells

Lord of the Living and Dead READ Romans 14:7-9 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.   Although we should have others in mind as we live, this passage emphasizes that what we are doing is to be done to honor the Lord. Believers are to ho

Motivate by Love READ Romans 14:20-21 20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.   Paul continues telling believers how to live with each other. Food had become an issue so Paul tells them not to “tear apart the work of God over what you eat.” His ba

Accept Each Other READ Romans 15:7-8 7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. 8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors.   Paul once again emphasizes the example of Jesus. Although He was the creator of the universe, He took on human flesh as He came in the line of David to the Jewish people. Jesus did this to prove to the Jewish people that th

Enthusiastic READ Romans 15:17-18 17 So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. 18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.   Paul was enthusiastic about all his Savior had done. Especially this concerned using him—a converted Jew—to reach Gentiles. Paul was able to bring them to God by his message and life

Help in Return READ Romans 15:27 27 They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially.   Paul continues to refer to the gifts given by Gentile believers for the poor people in Jerusalem. The Gentile Christ-followers felt they were indebted to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem for the

Welcome Phoebe READ Romans 16:1-2 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.   In this last chapter Paul sends greetings to many friends. Some are mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament; many are mentioned only here. Phoebe’s name is not found elsewhere but much is said about

Watch for Deceivers READ Romans 16:17-18 17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.   Some think that only a doctrinal difference justifies removing a pers