ROMANS 12:3-5

Sunday Morning:  December 17, 2006

Text:  Romans 12:3-5  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:  5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

ADDRESSING BRETHREN

Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

For I say, through the grace (authority, power) given [passive] unto me, to every man [singular] (brother) that is among [in or within] you [plural pronoun, (brethren, v.1)], not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly [with self control] (your measure of faith was given to you by God), according as God hath dealt [active, indicative, apportioned] to every man [singular] (brother) the measure [prescribed portion] of faith [firm conviction, persuasion (for confidence)].

BRETHREN

Matthew 12:50  For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

GRACE GIVEN FOR HIS PURPOSE

Ephesians 3:7-8  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace (for his purpose, not our need) of God given [passive, indicative] unto me by the effectual working of his power.  8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given [passive, indicative], that I should preach (his purpose, not Paul’s need) among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

GOD’S PURPOSE IN THE BODY

Romans 12:6  Having then gifts (functions) differing according to the grace that is given [passive] to us [plural, (brethren)], whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith [firm conviction, persuasion (for confidence)];

OBTAIN, FIND – ACTIVE SUBJUNCTIVE

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain [active, subjunctive] mercy, and [may] find [active, subjunctive] grace to help in time of (our) need (when we are weak, suffering, or being tested).

NO GRACE GIVEN BUT OFFERED

2 Corinthians 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

GRACE GIVEN, PASSIVE INDICATIVE

Ephesians 4:7  But unto every one of us (chosen in Christ) is given [passive indicative] grace according to the measure of the gift (not the need) of [from] Christ.

GRACE ACCORDING TO PURPOSE

2 Timothy 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given [passive voice] us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

PRECEIVABLE GRACE

Galatians 2:9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace (confidence) that was given [passive] unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

BOLDNESS BECAUSE OF GRACE

Romans 15:15  Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given [passive] to me of God,

YET, HUMILITY

1 Peter 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth [present middle] the proud, and giveth [present active] grace to the humble.

MIND NOT HIGH THINGS

Romans 12:16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits [personal initiatives].

SEPARATE FUNCTION IN THE BODY

Romans 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

For as we have [1st person plural (brethren, v.1)] many members [individuals] in one body, and all members [individuals] have not the same office [function] (in the one body):

MANY MEMBERS MAKE ONE BODY

1 Corinthians 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

GOD PLACED THEM IN THE BODY

1 Corinthians 12:18  But now hath God set [middle indicative] the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

ONE MEMBER HONORED?

1 Corinthians 12:26  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

WE THE MANY

Romans 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

So we, being [the] many [plural, (brethren)], [we] are [1st plural] one [adjective modifying body] body in Christ, and every one [individually] members one of another.

MANY CALLED

Matthew 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen [ek + legw, out from + called].

CALLED UNTO HIS KINGDOM

1 Thessalonians 2:12  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR

1 Corinthians 12:27-28  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.  28  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, …

FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS

Ephesians 4:11-12  And he gave some (the brethren), apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: