Romans 14:7 - Life Focus For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. Truth to Learn Christians are not to live for themselves, but for God. Behind the Words “Lives” is translated from the verb dzaō, which always refers to “life.” It is used to...
Romans 14:6 – God-ward Focus
Romans 14:6 - God-ward Focus He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to...
Romans 14:5 – Always In His Presence
Romans 14:5 - Always In His Presence One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. Truth to Learn Everything we do is in God’s presence and should be done as if He were the only one we...
Romans 14:4 – Household Rule
Romans 14:4 - Household Rule Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. Truth to Learn Chastening fellow Christians is God’s responsibility, not ours. Behind the Words “Servant”...
Romans 14:3 – Food or Service?
Romans 14:3 - Food or Service? Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Truth to Learn Don’t despise or judge fellow Christians, serve God! Behind the Words The word...
Romans 14:2 – Food or Faith?
Romans 14:2 - Food or Faith? For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Truth to Learn Arguing about unimportant things is destructive, not edifying. Behind the Words The word “believes” is translated from the verb pisteuō, meaning “to trust, to have...
Romans 14:1 – Needless Arguing
Romans 14:1 - Needless Arguing Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. Truth to Learn Infighting should not be a characteristic of a Christian church. Behind the Words The word “Receive” is from the Greek word proslambanō, which is made up of...
Romans 13:14 – Walking Christ-Light
Romans 13:14 - Walking Christ-Light But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Truth to Learn Christians need to let the light of Christ shine in their lives. Behind the Words The words “put on” in this verse are from...
Romans 13:13 – Light or Dark?
Romans 13:13 - Light or Dark? Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. Truth to Learn Our words and deeds should show forth the light of Christ. Behind the Words The word in the...
Romans 13:12 – Prepare for Battle!
Romans 13:12 - Prepare for Battle! The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Truth to Learn Wake up! Prepare for battle! Our Lord is coming soon! Behind the Words...
Romans 13:11 – Wake Up!
Romans 13:11 - Wake Up! And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Truth to Learn It’s time for all Christians to wake up and get busy for God. Behind...
Romans 13:10 – Unselfish Love
Romans 13:10 - Unselfish Love Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Truth to Learn Unselfish love is what God wants from us. Behind the Words “Love” is translated from agape, which refers to “good will” or “benevolence.” In other words, it...
Romans 13:9 – Living The Second Table
Romans 13:9 - Living The Second Table For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall...
Romans 13:8 – The Love Payment
Romans 13:8 - The Love Payment Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Truth to Learn We are to be constantly paying off our love debt. Behind the Words The word that is translated “Owe” is the Greek word...
Romans 13:7 – Yes, Taxes! Really!
Romans 13:7 - Yes, Taxes! Really! Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Truth to Learn Christians should submit to all authorities and pay taxes. Behind the Words “Render” is translated from the...
Romans 13:6 – Taxes? Really?
Romans 13:6 - Taxes? Really? For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Truth to Learn Paying taxes is part of God’s plan for government. Behind the Words The words “you pay” are from the Greek verb teleō, which...
Romans 13:5 – Submission by Conscience
Romans 13:5 - Submission by Conscience Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. Truth to Learn We are to submit to authorities because it is the right thing to do. Behind the Words “You must” is a translation of the Greek word...
Romans 13:4 – Authority of Vengeance
Romans 13:4 - Authority of Vengeance For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Truth to Learn We...
Romans 13:3 – Fear Prevention
Romans 13:3 - Fear Prevention For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. Truth to Learn Good works overcome fear. Behind the Words The word...
Romans 13:2 – Authoritative Submission
Romans 13:2 - Authoritative Submission Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. Truth to Learn We are to submit ourselves to those in authority over us, or we will find ourselves resisting what God has put in place....
Romans 13:1 – Civil Submission
Romans 13:1 - Civil Submission Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Truth to Learn We Christians are to submit to those in authority over us. Behind the Words “Authorities” is...
Romans 12:21 – Good Versus Evil
Romans 12:21 - Good Versus Evil Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Truth to Learn The proper way for a Christian to combat evil is with good. Behind the Words The word translated “overcome” is nikaō, a verb form of the noun nikē, which refers...
Romans 12:20 – Mercy, Not Vengeance
Romans 12:20 - Mercy, Not Vengeance Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Truth to Learn Do not take vengeance. Instead, show mercy. Behind the Words “Heap” is...
Romans 12:19 – Who’s The Judge
Romans 12:19 - Who's The Judge Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Truth to Learn There is only one Judge and we need to let Him do His job. Behind the Words...
Romans 12:18 – Be At Peace
Romans 12:18 - Be At Peace If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Truth to Learn Christians should be peace-seeking people. Behind the Words The word translated “it is possible” is dunaton, a word we’ve seen before. It refers to “power, authority,...
Romans 12:17 – Reactive or Proactive?
Romans 12:17 - Reactive or Proactive? Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. Truth to Learn We should be benevolently proactive, not selfishly reactive. Behind the Words The word translated “repay” is apodidomi, which is a compound word made up...
Romans 12:16 – Right-minded Thinking
Romans 12:16 - Right-minded Thinking Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Truth to Learn Who we compare ourselves to affects what we think of ourselves. Behind the...
Romans 12:15 – Give and Take
Romans 12:15 - Give and Take Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Truth to Learn Sharing in grief means taking, but sharing in joy means giving. Behind the Words “Rejoice” comes from the Greek word chairo, which means “to be full of cheer, that is,...
Romans 12:14 – Blessing, Not Cursing
Romans 12:14 - Blessing, Not Cursing Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Truth to Learn Being Christ-like is really, really hard - but not impossible. Behind the Words The word translated “bless” is eulogeō, which is a compound word made up of eu, meaning “good or...
Romans 12:13 – Pursuit of Generosity
Romans 12:13 - Pursuit of Generosity distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Truth to Learn Selfless sharing is a sure sign of a committed Christian. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “distributing” is koinonointes, which is derived from the word koinonia, meaning “to have things...
Romans 12:12 – Guided Journey
Romans 12:12 - Guided Journey rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; Truth to Learn Hope, patience, and steadfastness can be ours in Christ. Behind the Words “Rejoicing” is translated from chairontes, meaning “to be full of cheer,” or “to be calmly happy.” The word “hope” is...