In this section the Apostle shows how the great principle of consecration must affect the details of conduct. It is most necessary to insist on these practical issues. At some impressive religious convention, where the vision of a surrendered and transfigured life is presented, sensitive souls are led to make the vows and claim the plane of life which have been presented; but on their return to the commonplaces, there is no perceptible improvement in their speech, or tone, or attitude. This induces shame and contempt. Hence the great wisdom of the Apostle's particular teaching in this and the following chapters.
The lumbering wagon must be hitched to a star. We must not be star-gazers only. God has endowed us with faith as the receptive faculty, through which we may receive His blessed help. In the power of the Holy Spirit let us set ourselves to our common tasks, thinking humbly and soberly of ourselves, lovingly of our associates, and reverently of God. We are inspired to fulfill the obligations of our position, whether in giving money or in teaching the ignorant; whether in showing mercy or in exercising authority, because all is done as under the eye of the great Master of the household. [source]
Chapter Summary: Romans 12
1God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves 3No man must think too well of himself; 6but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed 9Love, and many other duties are required of us 19Revenge is especially forbidden
Greek Commentary for Romans 12:15
Rejoice [χαιρειν] Present active infinitive of χαιρω chairō absolute or independent use of the infinitive as if a finite verb as occurs sometimes (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1092ff.). Literally here, “Rejoicing with rejoicing people, weeping with weeping people.” [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 12:15
Philippians 3:16By that same rule let us walk [τωι αυτωι στοιχειν] Besides στοιχειν stoichein is the absolute present active infinitive which sometimes occurs instead of the principal verb as in Romans 12:15. Paul means simply this that, having come thus far, the thing to do is to go “in the same path” (τωι αυτωι tōi autōi) in which we have been travelling so far. A needed lesson for Christians weary with the monotony of routine in religious life and work. [source]
2 Thessalonians 3:14Note that man [τουτον σημειουστε] Late verb σημειοω sēmeioō from σημειον sēmeion sign, mark, token. Put a tag on that man. Here only in N.T. “The verb is regularly used for the signature to a receipt or formal notice in the papyri and the ostraca of the Imperial period” (Moulton & Milligan‘s Vocabulary). How this is to be done (by letter or in public meeting) Paul does not say. That ye have no company with him (μη συναναμιγνυσται αυτωι mē sunanamignusthai autōi). The MSS. are divided between the present middle infinitive as above in a command like Romans 12:15; Philemon 3:16 or the present middle imperative συναναμιγνυστε sunanamignusthe (αι ̇ai and ε ̇e often being pronounced alike in the Koiné{[28928]}š). The infinitive can also be explained as an indirect command. This double compound verb is late, in lxx and Plutarch, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 5:9,1 Corinthians 5:11. Αυτωι Autōi is in associative instrumental case. To the end that he may be ashamed Purpose clause with ινα hina Second aorist passive subjunctive of εντρεπω entrepō to turn on, middle to turn on oneself or to put to shame, passive to be made ashamed. The idea is to have one‘s thoughts turned in on oneself. [source]
2 Thessalonians 3:14That ye have no company with him [μη συναναμιγνυσται αυτωι] The MSS. are divided between the present middle infinitive as above in a command like Romans 12:15; Philemon 3:16 or the present middle imperative συναναμιγνυστε sunanamignusthe The infinitive can also be explained as an indirect command. This double compound verb is late, in lxx and Plutarch, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 5:9,1 Corinthians 5:11. Αυτωι Autōi is in associative instrumental case. [source]
Hebrews 4:15That cannot be touched with the feeling [μη δυναμενον συνπατησαι] “Not able to sympathize with.” First aorist passive infinitive of συνπατεω sunpatheō late compound verb from the late adjective συνπατος sunpathos (Romans 12:15), both from συνπασχω sunpaschō to suffer with (1 Corinthians 12:26; Romans 8:17), occurring in Aristotle and Plutarch, in N.T. only in Hebrews (here and Hebrews 10:34). One that hath been tempted Perfect passive participle of πειραζω peirazō as already shown in Hebrews 2:17. Without sin This is the outstanding difference that must never be overlooked in considering the actual humanity of Jesus. He did not yield to sin. But more than this is true. There was no latent sin in Jesus to be stirred by temptation and no habits of sin to be overcome. But he did have “weaknesses” Satan used his strongest weapons against Jesus, did it repeatedly, and failed. Jesus remained “undefiled” This is our ground of hope, the sinlessness of Jesus and his real sympathy. [source]
1 Peter 3:8Likeminded [ομοπρονες] Old compound Old adjective (πιλαδελποι sunπιλοσ αδελπος paschō), in N.T. only here and Romans 12:15. Our “sympathetic” in original sense.Loving as brethren Old compound Late and rare compound (ταπεινοσ πρην eu and splagchnon), in Hippocrates, Apocrypha, in N.T. only here and Ephesians 4:32.Humble minded Late compound (tapeinosphrēn), in Plutarch, Proverbs 29:23, here only in N.T. [source]
1 Peter 3:8Compassionate [συν πασχω] Old adjective (πιλαδελποι sunπιλοσ αδελπος paschō), in N.T. only here and Romans 12:15. Our “sympathetic” in original sense. [source]
1 John 4:17Our love [ἡ ἀγάπη μεθ ' ἡμῶν] The A.V. construes μεθ ' ἡμῶν withus, with love, making with us equivalent to our. In that case it might mean either the love which is between Christians, or the love which is between God and Christians. The Rev. construes with us with the verb: love is made perfect with us. The latter is preferable. I do not think it would be easy to point out a parallel in the New Testament to the expression ἀγάπη μεθ ' love that with us = our love. The true idea is that love is perfected in fellowship. The love of God is perfected with us, in communion with us, through our abiding in Him and He in us. “Love is not simply perfected in man, but in fulfilling this issue God works with man” (Westcott). Compare 2 John 1:3, “grace shall be with us ” (true reading); and Acts 25:4, “what things God had done with them.” See also Matthew 1:23; 1 Corinthians 16:24; Galatians 6:18. Μετά withis used constantly in the New Testament of ethical relations. See Matthew 20:2; Matthew 2:3; Luke 23:12; Acts 7:9; Romans 12:15; 1 John 1:6. [source]
What do the individual words in Romans 12:15 mean?
Greek Commentary for Romans 12:15
Present active infinitive of χαιρω chairō absolute or independent use of the infinitive as if a finite verb as occurs sometimes (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1092ff.). Literally here, “Rejoicing with rejoicing people, weeping with weeping people.” [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 12:15
Besides στοιχειν stoichein is the absolute present active infinitive which sometimes occurs instead of the principal verb as in Romans 12:15. Paul means simply this that, having come thus far, the thing to do is to go “in the same path” (τωι αυτωι tōi autōi) in which we have been travelling so far. A needed lesson for Christians weary with the monotony of routine in religious life and work. [source]
Late verb σημειοω sēmeioō from σημειον sēmeion sign, mark, token. Put a tag on that man. Here only in N.T. “The verb is regularly used for the signature to a receipt or formal notice in the papyri and the ostraca of the Imperial period” (Moulton & Milligan‘s Vocabulary). How this is to be done (by letter or in public meeting) Paul does not say. That ye have no company with him (μη συναναμιγνυσται αυτωι mē sunanamignusthai autōi). The MSS. are divided between the present middle infinitive as above in a command like Romans 12:15; Philemon 3:16 or the present middle imperative συναναμιγνυστε sunanamignusthe (αι ̇ai and ε ̇e often being pronounced alike in the Koiné{[28928]}š). The infinitive can also be explained as an indirect command. This double compound verb is late, in lxx and Plutarch, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 5:9, 1 Corinthians 5:11. Αυτωι Autōi is in associative instrumental case. To the end that he may be ashamed Purpose clause with ινα hina Second aorist passive subjunctive of εντρεπω entrepō to turn on, middle to turn on oneself or to put to shame, passive to be made ashamed. The idea is to have one‘s thoughts turned in on oneself. [source]
The MSS. are divided between the present middle infinitive as above in a command like Romans 12:15; Philemon 3:16 or the present middle imperative συναναμιγνυστε sunanamignusthe The infinitive can also be explained as an indirect command. This double compound verb is late, in lxx and Plutarch, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 5:9, 1 Corinthians 5:11. Αυτωι Autōi is in associative instrumental case. [source]
“Not able to sympathize with.” First aorist passive infinitive of συνπατεω sunpatheō late compound verb from the late adjective συνπατος sunpathos (Romans 12:15), both from συνπασχω sunpaschō to suffer with (1 Corinthians 12:26; Romans 8:17), occurring in Aristotle and Plutarch, in N.T. only in Hebrews (here and Hebrews 10:34). One that hath been tempted Perfect passive participle of πειραζω peirazō as already shown in Hebrews 2:17. Without sin This is the outstanding difference that must never be overlooked in considering the actual humanity of Jesus. He did not yield to sin. But more than this is true. There was no latent sin in Jesus to be stirred by temptation and no habits of sin to be overcome. But he did have “weaknesses” Satan used his strongest weapons against Jesus, did it repeatedly, and failed. Jesus remained “undefiled” This is our ground of hope, the sinlessness of Jesus and his real sympathy. [source]
Old compound Old adjective (πιλαδελποι sunπιλοσ αδελπος paschō), in N.T. only here and Romans 12:15. Our “sympathetic” in original sense.Loving as brethren Old compound Late and rare compound (ταπεινοσ πρην eu and splagchnon), in Hippocrates, Apocrypha, in N.T. only here and Ephesians 4:32.Humble minded Late compound (tapeinosphrēn), in Plutarch, Proverbs 29:23, here only in N.T. [source]
Old adjective (πιλαδελποι sunπιλοσ αδελπος paschō), in N.T. only here and Romans 12:15. Our “sympathetic” in original sense. [source]
The A.V. construes μεθ ' ἡμῶν withus, with love, making with us equivalent to our. In that case it might mean either the love which is between Christians, or the love which is between God and Christians. The Rev. construes with us with the verb: love is made perfect with us. The latter is preferable. I do not think it would be easy to point out a parallel in the New Testament to the expression ἀγάπη μεθ ' love that with us = our love. The true idea is that love is perfected in fellowship. The love of God is perfected with us, in communion with us, through our abiding in Him and He in us. “Love is not simply perfected in man, but in fulfilling this issue God works with man” (Westcott). Compare 2 John 1:3, “grace shall be with us ” (true reading); and Acts 25:4, “what things God had done with them.” See also Matthew 1:23; 1 Corinthians 16:24; Galatians 6:18. Μετά withis used constantly in the New Testament of ethical relations. See Matthew 20:2; Matthew 2:3; Luke 23:12; Acts 7:9; Romans 12:15; 1 John 1:6. [source]