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: