Author: Administrador

We love because…. Perhaps the first thing to keep in mind when preparing to preach on Romans 12:9-21 is a word from 1 John: “We love because he first loved us” (4:19). While Paul is never quite so quotable on this order of things as John, Paul does write of God first loving us.  Romans … Continue reading “Romans 12:9-21 Commentary by Mary Hinkle Shore”

We are tempted to skip a passage like this in preaching. Verse 9 has no logical connection to what precedes. Then in verses 9-21 Paul discharges a series of rapid-fire exhortations that whiz by without much connection or clarification. But a closer look shows that the passage is not arbitrary, but loosely tied to what … Continue reading “Romans 12:9-21 Commentary by Elizabeth Shively”

While the argument of the letter to the Romans opened with a preoccupation regarding God’s anger (1:18-32), this section of the letter opens with an embrace of God’s mercies. What are the mercies to which Paul refers? They are: Freedom from death (5:12-21) Freedom from sin (6:1-23) Freedom from a dysfunctional relationship to the law … Continue reading “Romans 12:1-8 Commentary by Mark Reasoner”

We Belong Together Sin, in the singular, is a power in Paul’s thought. It is the bully on the playground that enthralls everyone, gathering devotees, terrorizing would-be opponents into silence, enslaving all. Sin vies with the Creator for control of humanity and the rest of creation to such an extent that Paul can speak of … Continue reading “Romans 12:1-8 Commentary by Mary Hinkle Shore”

At first glance, Paul’s appeal to his audience to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice” for “your spiritual worship” might sound like he is demanding an esoteric or mystical kind of devotion. But a closer look reveals that Paul calls not for disembodied, but full-bodied worship. Outlines of the book of Romans often divide … Continue reading “Romans 12:1-8 Commentary by Elizabeth Shively”

Paul continues to draw upon the whole of scripture, the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms to show that his kindred by race have heard the gospel but remain unbelieving: “But I ask, have they never heard? Indeed they have; for ‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the … Continue reading “Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Commentary by Paul S. Berge”

Getting down to brass tacks, Paul poses the question bluntly in Romans 11:1: “Has God rejected his people?” I like his equally blunt answer: “Hell, no!” I know, your Bible probably says something more polite, like “By no means!” or “Absolutely not!” The expression is mē genoito, an emphatic denial Paul utters nine other times … Continue reading “Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Commentary by Matt Skinner”

A cursory reading of Romans might lead one to think that chapters 9-11 are a tangent or insertion unrelated to the rest of the letter. A more careful reading, however, leads to a different conclusion. At the beginning of the letter, Paul states that the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone … Continue reading “Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Commentary by Elizabeth Shively”

Entering any text in Romans, in order to explore its preaching possibilities, is similar to entering a vast and highly-developed city. Romans is the flagship of Paul’s writings and his arguments and claims are both profound and complex. In contemporary terminology, one needs a homiletical GPS (global positioning system) to orient preaching preparation within the … Continue reading “Romans 10:8b-13 Commentary by Susan Hedahl”

I was recently away from my family for over a week, and the family photo that is on my computer desktop was a constant companion. But the photo is only a shadow that anticipated the reality I experienced when I got home. It would be strange indeed to greet my husband and kids on my … Continue reading “Romans 10:8b-13 Commentary by Elizabeth Shively”