The Beatitudes of the Gentile Church: Romans 12:9-18
“9) Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11) not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12) rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13) contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16) Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17) Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Romans 12:9-18
These verses are significant. It is almost like Paul is paraphrasing the beatitudes of Jesus recorded in Matthew 5:1-16. That text was given to the Jewish nation of Israel. But Paul was writing to the Gentile believers in Rome. He was not provoking division. Not by any means. He was calling Gods people to be peacemakers and relational healers.
This context stands in total contrast to the jealousy, hate and division being spread in our world today. If this Christian attitude had the power to reach the Roman Empire with the gospel, it can do the same to our modern broken world.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
