Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Letter of Apostle Paul – Romans
An Intimate Review
Pt 11
By Lawrence DeMetrius

In [Rm 12:4] Apostle Paul continues with reason as to why the Elect are to maintain a SOBER MIND. One such reason is the acknowledgment that every member of The Ecclesia is highly valued and plays a vital role in the productivity thereof. It is important that each member realizes and are properly equipped to operate in the OFFICE they are divinely appointed to. THE LORD is watching and expects for each of them to be producing as HE has enables them to. There should be no dead-beat member in any Christian Assembly. Everyone should be effectively operating in the OFFICE they are called to by Yahweh. [Mt 25:14, 15]

*office Gk #4234 praxis (prax-is) it is a practice, act and function

In [Rm 12:4, 5] Apostle Paul is admonishing the disciples of Christ to recognize their particular function within The Body. This recognition will only be fully attained when one has resolved in heart to PRESENT themselves as a LIVING, HOLY and ACCEPTABLE SACRIFICE unto THE LORD. Only then can one learn what Yahweh’s GOOD, ACCEPTABLE and PERFECT WILL is for their life and function within HIS kingdom. [Rm 12:1-3; 8:28; Mt 6:10; Mk 3:31-35; Jn 6:37-40, 44, 45, 65; I Jn 2:17] Then Apostle Paul describes the various OFFICES of service purposed to operate within Christian Assemblies, likening them to GIFTS.

*gifts Gk #5486 charisma (khar-is-mah) it is a divine gratuity such as deliverance from danger or passion and a spiritual endowment such as a religious qualification or miraculous faculty

In [Rm 12:6-8] GIFTS distributed to each member of The Ecclesia DIFFER according the will of the Holy Ghost.

*differing Gk #1313 diaphoros (dee-af-or-os) it means to show diversity, of large amount, high degree, exceeding, excelling and extraordinary

In [Rm 12:6-8] Apostle Paul notes some GIFTS and the manner in which they are to be OPERATED.
1. There is PROPHECY, which is to be operated in proportion to one’s FAITH. [Rm 12:6b]

*prophecy Gk #4394 propheteia (prof-ay-ti-ah) it is to predict according to scripture or by some other means

*faith Gk #4102 pistis (pis-tis) it is…
• persuasion and credence which is belief as to the truth of something or something giving a claim to belief or confidence
• moral conviction of a religious truth, the truthfulness of Yahweh or a religious teacher
• reliance upon Jesus Christ for salvation and constancy in such profession
• the system of religious truth itself based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ

So then, as one matures of Christ and His Teachings, they gain more experience with the FAITHFULNESS of Yahweh, which enhances their FAITH in HIS Christ and the teachings of Christ. This in turn enhances one’s ability to effectively PROPHESY the PROPHECIES of Christ. [Rev 19:10; Jn 8:31, 32, 36]

2. There is MINISTRY which one should WAIT upon. [Rm 12:7a]

*ministry/ing Gk #1248 diakonia (dee-ak-on-ee-ah) it is…
• attendance as a servant
• of or relating to alms, charity or charitable donations
• derived from, dependent upon, provided and supported by charity
• official service especially of the Christian teacher
• technology of the diaconate

*wait English it means to…
• continue as one is in expectation of
• postpone or delay in expectation
• attend, await, be ready and reserved

3. There is TEACHING which one should do if that is his GIFT. [Rm 12:7b]

*teacheth Gk #1321 didasko (did-as-ko) it means to impart knowledge or give instruction in
*teaching Gk #1319 didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee-ah) it is the function and information provided per instruction

4. There is EXHORTING which one should do on EXHORTATION. [Rm 12:8a]

*exhorteth Gk #3870 parakaleo (par-ak-al-eh-o) it is call near, invite and invoke by imploration, hortation and consolation

• implore is to…
o entreat, beseech or urgently beg as for aid, mercy and pardon
o make urgent or piteous supplication

• hortation is… {Webster's Rev’d Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by C. & G. Merriam Co.}
o The act of exhorting, inciting or giving advice
o the act or process of exhorting which is to urge, advise, recommend, warn, earnestly caution and urgently admonish
o an utterance, discourse or address conveying urgent advice or recommendations

• consolation is the…
o act of consoling, comforting and giving solace
o the state of being consoled and someone who consoles, which is to alleviate or lessen grief, sorrow and disappointment of

This GIFT cannot be performed without real compassion for the person who needs it. In fact, CHARITY is the greatest of all divine GIFTS. Without which one is nothing and of no value in the Kingdom of Yahweh. [I Cor 12:31; 13]

5. There is GIVING which should be done with SIMPLICITY. [Rm 12:8b]

*giveth Gk #3330 metadidomi (met-ad-id-o-mee) it means to give over and share

*simplicity Gk #572 haplotes (hap-lot-ace) it is singleness, sincerity, without dissimulation or self-seeking, generosity and generous bestowal

6. There is RULING which should be done with DILIGENCE. [Rm 12:8c]
*ruleth Gk #4291 proistemi (pro-is-tay-mee) it means to stand before, be over, maintain, practice and preside

*diligence Gk #4710 spoude (spoo-day) it is speed, dispatch, eagerness and earnestness

In [Rm 12:8d] Apostle Paul continues with duties that should be practiced within Christian Assemblies and domestic households.

7. MERCY with CHEERFULNESS. [Rm 12:8d]

*mercy Gk #1653 eleeo (el-eh-eh-o) it means to express pity and compassion in word, deed and grace

*cheerfulness Gk #2432 hilarotes (hil-ar-ot-ace) it is lively, quick, active, sharp, stimulating cheerfulness, readiness, prompt and willingness

8. LOVE without DISSIMULATION. [Rm 12:9a]

*love Gk #26 agape (ag-ah-pay) it is divine love, affection, devotion, sentiment, benevolence and the emotional realm of love

Not only is AGAPE the quality of LOVE Yahweh demands to be expressed within HIS assemblies, it is a primary element of The Ministry of Divine Iconoclasm in world. How the Elect of GOD interact with one another is crucial to effective ministry toward all souls within and without Christian Assemblies. [Jn 13:1, 34, 35; Gal 6:1-3, 8] It is to be expressed without DISSUMLATION.

*dissimulation Gk #505 anupokritos (an-oo-pok-ree-tos) it means undissembled, sincere, without hypocrisy, unfeigned and not pretended

THE LORD does not want one to fake how they truly FEEL about HIM, self or anyone else. HE sees everything as it really is. In fact, divine worship requires realistic handling of all issues in life. [St Jn 4:23, 24] Allowing AGAPE LOVE to be expressed empowers one to have proper SENTIMENTS towards everyone in their lives, beginning with self. This in turn aids in salvaging and maintaining the quality of relationship Yahweh wills one to have with each person in their life.
It's important because some relationships should be nurtured while others should be severed because they are toxic to one’s devotion to THE LORD. [Mk 3:31-35; Heb 12:1; I Cor 6:14-18]

9. ABHORE that which is EVIL. [Rm 12:9b]

*abhore Gk #655 apostugeo (ap-os-toog-eh-o) it means to utterly detest or intensely dislike

*evil Gk #4190 poneros (pon-ay-ros) it means hurtful in influence and effect

10. CLEAVE to that which is GOOD. [Rm 12:9c]

*cleave Gk #2853 kollao (kol-ah-o) it means to glue, stick, keep company and join with

*good Gk #18 agathos (ag-ath-os) it is good in any sense, well and beneficial

11. BE KINDLY AFFECTIONED to one another with BROTHERLY LOVE. [Rm 12:10a]

*kindly affectioned Gk #5387 philostorgos (fil-os-tor-gos) it means fond of natural relatives and fraternal toward fellow Christians

• fond is…
o having a liking or affection for
o being loving and affectionate
o excessively tender or overindulgent
o cherishing with strong or unreasoning feeling

• fraternal is…
o brotherly, of or befitting a brother or brothers
o of or being a society of men associated in brotherly union for mutual aid and benefit
In spirit, there is no male or female. Thus, being KINDLY AFFECTIONED is the obligation of every Christian.

*brotherly love Gk #5360 philadelphia (fil-ad-el-fee-ah) it is fraternal affection and love of the brethren

Again, BROTHERLY LOVE is what Yahweh requires to abide amongst HIS children. Although cultural, ethnical and various forms of individualism challenge this effort, the sons of GOD must learn to recognize and embrace one another as BRETHREN in the truest sense of familial relations. It is by the Holy Ghost such LOVE is shed abroad in the hearts of born-again believers from breast to breast. [Rm 5:5] By this they are able to genuinely identify and embrace one another as family members in The Kingdom of GOD. In fact, true Christians are members of the universal and heavenly family of the redeemed, that is inherited per the 100-FOLD return of family members they give up to follow Jesus Christ. [Mt 19:29; Mk 3:31-35]

12. Be in HONOR PREFERRING one another. [Rm 12:10b]

*honour Gk #5092 time (tee-may) it is a thing of value, money paid, esteem of the highest degree and the highest dignity of the highest degree given

*preferring Gk #4285 proegeomai (pro-ay-geh-om-ahee) it means to lead the way for others

Yahweh has graced each of HIS sons with HIGH DIGNITY, which HE expects them to highly regard amongst themselves. [Rm 8:28-30; Heb 1:14; I Pet 2:9; Rev 1:5, 6] The Elect of GOD are to value one another to the HIGHEST DEGREE, regardless of their variance in cultures, ethnicity, denominations, collegian or aristocratic status, political views and leadership rank within Christian assemblies.

13. Be not SLOTHFUL in BUSINESS. [Rm 12:11a]

*slothful Gk #3636 okneros (ok-nay-ros) it means tardy, indolent and irksome
• tardy is …
o being late, behind and not on time
o moving or acting slowly and sluggishly
o delaying through reluctance

• indolent is having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion
• irksome is…
o being annoying, irritating, exasperating and tiresome
o causing weariness or disgust

*business Gk #4710 spoude (spoo-day) it is speed, haste, diligence, carefulness, forwardness, dispatch, eagerness and earnest care

Each member of a Christian assembly should be READY and WILLING to SERVE in the capacity Yahweh has GIFTED them to SERVE in. No born-again member should be sitting around doing nothing while others do all the work.

14. Be FERVENT in SPIRIT. [Rm 12:11b]

*fervent Gk #2204 zeo (dzeh-o) it is to be hot, boil, glow, heated, vehement, earnest and enthusiastic in spirit

*spirit Gk #4151 pneuma (pnyoo-mah) it is…
• a current of air, breath, blast or breeze
• human rational soul, vital principle or mental disposition
• a superhuman i.e., an angelic being, Yahweh, Christ or the Holy Ghost

Per this scripture, Apostle Paul is referring to one’s MIND and INTELLECT as renewed by Yahweh’s Word and Holy Spirit. The MIND of an Elect is to be FERVENT at all times. Christ said that they are the salt of the earth. But, if they lose their savor, wherewith can they be salted on earth. For salt without its savor is good for nothing but to be trodden like dirt under the foot of men. [Mt 5:13]

15. Be SERVING THE LORD. [Rm 12:11c]

*serving Gk #1398 douleuo (dool-yoo-o) it means to be a voluntary or involuntary slave

16. Be REJOICING in HOPE. [vs 12a]

*rejoicing Gk #5463 chairo (khah-ee-ro) it means to be well-off, calmly happy, to be and be full of cheer, which is something that gives joy and gladness, encouragement and comfort
*hope Gk #1680 elpis (el-pece) it is expectation and confidence

• expectation is…
o the act or the state of expecting and looking forward or anticipating
o an expectant mental attitude or something expected
o a thing looked forward to and a prospect of future good or profit

• confidence is…
o full trust, assurance and certitude
o belief in the powers, trustworthiness or reliability of a person or thing
o belief in oneself, one's powers and abilities
o self-confidence and self-reliance

17. Be PATIENT in TRIBULATION. [Rm 12:12b; Mt 5:11, 12; Jn 16:33; Jm 1:2-4]

*patient Gk #5278 hupomeno (hoop-om-en-o) it means to stay under or behind, remain, undergo, bear trials, persevere and have fortitude

*tribulation Gk #2347 thlipsis (thlip-sis) it is pressure

18. Be CONTINUING INSTANT in PRAYER. [Rm 12:12c]

*continuing instant Gk #4342 proskarteresis (pros-kar-ter-eh-o) it is to be earnest toward, persevere, be constantly diligent in a place, attend assiduously all the exercises and closely adhere to a person as a servitor

*prayer Gk #4335 proseuche (pros-yoo-khay) it is supplication, worship and a place of prayer

19. Be DISTRIBUTING to the NECESSITY of the SAINTS. [Rm 12:13]

*distributing Gk #2841 koinoneo (koy-no-neh-o) it is to share and communicate with others, distribute and be a partaker

*necessity Gk #5532 chreia (khri-ah) it is employment, an affair, occasion, demand, destitution and requirement
*saints Gk #40 hagios (hag-ee-os) it refers to those who are physically pure, morally blameless or religious and ceremonially consecrated

20. Be GIVEN to HOSPITALITY. [Rm 12:13; 15:27]

*given Gk #1377 dioko (dee-o-ko) it is to pursue and persecute

*hospitality Gk #5381 philonexia (fil-on-i-kee-ah) it means hospitableness and to entertain strangers

21. BLESS and CURSE not them who PERSECUTE, especially for one’s allegiance to Christ.

*bless Gk #2127 eulogeo (yoo-leg-eh-o) it means to speak well of, religiously bless, praise, thank, prosper and invoke a benediction upon

*curse Gk #2672 kataraomai (kat-ar-ah-om-ahee) it means to execrate and doom

• execrate is to…
o detest utterly, abhor and abominate
o imprecate evil upon, damn and denounce

• doom is …
o adverse fate and destiny
o unavoidable ill fortune
o ruin and death
o unfavorable judgment, decision or sentence

In [Rm 12:14, 17-21] Apostle Paul expounds on LOVE that GOD’S Elect are to express towards haters of Jesus Christ and His Brethren. Namely, those who seek to do harm due to one’s allegiance to Christ. Of course, Christ initiated this idea. [Mt 5:7, 9-12, 44-48]

22. REJOICE with them that REJOICE and WEEP with them that WEEP. [Rm 12:15]

*rejoice Gk #5463 chairo (kha-ee-ro) it means to be cheer, be full of cheer and to be calmly happy or well-off

*weep Gk #2799 klaio (klah-yo) it means to sob and wail aloud

This has to do with expressing NATURAL AFFECTION, which is ORDINATE AFFECTION toward one’s fellow man. This practice simply shows one in need, they have friends who will sympathize with them and are willing to provide as much of their time and support as they need. [Mt 5:41] In fact, INORDINATE AFFECTION is a sin spawned by a wicked heart. [Rm 1:31]

23. Be of the same MIND one toward another. [Rm 12:16a]

*mind Gk #5426 phroneo (fron-eh-o) it means to…
• exercise the mind
• entertain or have a sentiment or opinion
• be mentally disposed more or less earnestly in a certain direction
• interest oneself in with concern or obedience

24. MIND not HIGH things. [Rm 12:16b]

*high Gk #5308 hupselos (hoop-say-los) it is to be lofty in place and character

• lofty per HUPSELOS (hoop-say-los) means haughty and arrogantly, condescendingly superior in manner [Pro 16:18; 6:16]

Some become overinflated in perception of themselves because of certain lots in their life. However, Yahweh worshipers are to remember that ALL THINGS belong to HIM. They brought nothing into this world and surely, they will take nothing out of it. [I Tim 6:6, 7] Never are they to place more credence on possession of temporal position or abundance of temporal things, than on nurturing a favored relationship with Yahweh. [Lk 12:15-21] Never is their primary goal to be obtaining things that fulfill their LUST of their flesh, their fleshly eye and their carnal mind. Their primary goal is to be fulfillment of Yahweh’s will. [I Jn 2:15-17] Per Christ, Yahweh’s will be the salvation and spiritual maturity of every redeemable soul. [Jn 6:37-40] King Solomon suggests that those who do otherwise are sure to encounter a terrible fall before Yahweh and men.
He suggests that even a PROUDFUL look of HAUGHTINESS and ARROGANCE is a thing that Yahweh absolutely HATES and will deal with at a certain point. [Pro 6:16; 16:18] Thus, Apostle Paul encourages born-again believers to CONDESCEND to those of LOW ESTATE and to BE NOT WISE in their own CONCEITES.

*condescend Gk #4879 sunapago (soon-ap-ag-o) it means to take off together and transport with

*low estate Gk #5011 tapeinos (tap-i-nos) it means to be depressed and humiliated in circumstances or disposition

*wise Gk #5429 phronimos (fron-ee-mos) it means filled with thought and cautious but in a bad sense it is conceit, which is…
o an excessively favorable opinion of one's own ability, importance and wit
o something that is conceived in the mind as a thought or idea
o imagination or fancy

*conceits Gk #1438 heautou (heh-ow-too) it refers to one’s own

Together these words emphasize a person’s OWN CONCEIT with no regard to Yahweh’s contribution of insight. It refers to the carnal mindset, which in no way can be subject to divine rule. [Pro 3:5-7; Rm 8:7]

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