Down an Unfamiliar Road

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER TWELVE (Lesson XXXVIII)

Verse 16: Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, be willing to humble yourself and become friends with people who are looked down upon. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.

Oh how woefully we have neglected this admonition by the great Apostle Paul. Today it seems that the fad among men and women of the cloth is to only associate with the elite. It is no longer the destitute, the beggar, the common laborer or the underprivileged who command their attention, but presidents, politicians, showmen, and business tycoons. To be seen in the company of the educated, popular, and wealthy is the ultimate goal. Some would rather receive the benign smile of a person who denies the tenets of the very faith these ministers preach than embrace the warm fellowship and approval of unheralded saints. Others are willing to be noncommittal and hesitant when asked about their belief in heaven or hell; in Jesus Christ being the only way, the truth, and the only door to salvation; even vacillating on whether the Word of God is the full and true revelation of Jesus Christ as the only Savior of mankind. God help us!

The idea of community life promoting consensus and cooperation was already part of Jewish ethics and customs. We are told by the Hebrew Chronicler: “The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the rulers told them by the Word of the Lord.”¹ Also, during the days of Jeremiah the prophet, God had this message for His people: “I will give them singleness of heart and singleness of purpose so that they will reverence Me forever – this will be for their own good and for the good of their children after them.”²

This same mindset was present in the early Christian community. Luke tells us: “Many followers acted and thought the same way. None of them said that any of their things were their own, but they shared all things.”³ This gave Paul the inspiration to tell the Corinthians: “Christian brothers, I ask you with all my heart in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to agree among yourselves. Do not be divided into little groups. Think and act as if you all had the same mind.”⁴ He also expected the same from the Philippians: “Live your lives as the Gospel of Christ says you should. If I come to you or not, I want to hear that you are standing true as one. I want to hear that you are working together as one, preaching the Good News.”⁵

But Paul wasn’t through it, he goes on: “Give me true joy by thinking the same thoughts. Keep having the same love. Be as one in thoughts and actions. Nothing should be done because of pride or thinking about yourself. Think of other people as more important than yourself. Do not always be thinking about your own plans only. Be happy to know what other people are doing.”⁶ And finally, Paul gets personal and says: “I ask Euodias and Syntyche to agree as Christians should.”⁷ The Apostle Peter was of the same mind: “You must share the same thoughts and the same feelings. Love each other with a kind heart and with a mind that has no pride.”⁸

However, Paul wants to be even more specific with the Roman believers. Apparently, he had been informed of certain tensions within the congregation. And notice, the first thing he mentions is conceit. The Greek adjective hypsēlos, that means having high aspirations, that Paul employs here is with the noun phroneō, which refers to the mind. Put together, they imply high-mindedness, egocentricity, having a high opinion of one’s self. Thayer, in his Lexicon, suggests that Paul uses it here to describe those who are highly opinionated.

It was certainly not something that plagued King David. In one of his Psalms, he wrote: “Adonai, my heart isn’t proud; I don’t set my sight too high, I don’t take part in great affairs or in wonders far beyond me. No, I keep myself calm and quiet, like a little child on its mother’s lap.”⁹ But things were different during the days of Jeremiah, who gave this word of the LORD to Baruch bar Neriyah: “Are you seeking to accomplish great things? Don’t! For I am bringing disaster on everything living,’ says Adonai.”¹⁰

The greatest example of the absence of such conceit was when Satan visited Jesus in the wilderness during His 40-day fast. No matter what the devil offered to fulfill any high opinion Jesus may have had of Himself as the Son of God, our Lord pushed it aside by using the Holy Scriptures.¹¹ However, later on, Jesus found this same sense of meekness was lacking in His own disciples.¹² But the Apostle Peter wanted no such attitude to develop among his readers, so he wrote them: “Do not be dictators over the people you lead. Live as you would like to have them live.”¹³ In fact, the Apostle John had a problem with a person like this in one of the churches over which he was Bishop.¹⁴

But there’s more. Paul tells them that as leaders they should be willing to work with those who perform the most mundane, everyday jobs in the church. Thayer, in his Lexicon, says that it means: “To yield or submit one’s self to lowly things, conditions, employment, – not to evade their power.” It is interesting to note that Paul only uses this word one more time in Galatians 2:13, and Peter employs it in his second letter in 3:17. On those two occasions it is utilized in the negative, but here in Romans Paul makes positive use of the idea of being influenced by the opinion of others.

Even the wise man Job certainly understood this virtue: “If I did not listen to my menservants and women servants when they complained against me, what will I do when God speaks to me? When He asks me why, what will I answer Him?”¹⁵ And Solomon had several things to say about this. First he writes: “He who mocks the unsuccessful insults his maker; he who rejoices at catastrophes will not go unpunished.”¹⁶ He goes on to write: “All the brothers of an unsuccessful man despise him. How much more do his friends go far from him! He runs to them with ideas, but they are nowhere to be found.”¹⁷ Jesus perpetuated this idea when He spoke to the irate Jewish leaders who were upset that He would not tell the children who were crying out, as He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, “Hosanna, Son of David!” to be quiet. So our Lord quoted to them what was written in the Psalms: “From the mouth of children and infants you have prepared praise for yourself.¹⁸”¹⁹

But there was another side to this equation, and that was for those in leadership not to think so highly of themselves that they expected special treatment. Paul outlined this for Timothy: “Those who live a godly life are always happy with what they have. We came into this world with nothing. For sure, when we die, we will take nothing with us. If we have food and clothing, let us be happy. But people who want more and more money are led into temptation. They become trapped into doing all kinds of foolish things which hurt them. These things drag them into bad behavior and end up destroying them.”²⁰ In the Book of Hebrews, we find a similar thought: “Keep your lives free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have.”²¹ In fact, the Apostle James goes so far as to say: “Listen, my dear Christian brothers, God has chosen those who are lacking in the things of this world to be rich in faith. The holy nation of heaven is theirs. That is what God promised to those who love Him.”²²

Then Paul comments on one of the major causes of conceit and high-mindedness in his day. It is almost verbatim of what Solomon said: “Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom.”²³ In fact, later on in Proverbs it says: “If you see a person who is wise in their own eyes, there is more hope for a fool than for them.”²⁴ And the prophet Isaiah had the same opinion: “It will be bad for those who are so wise in their own eyes that they think they know everything.”²⁵ Could it be that Paul had this say verse in mind when he told the Corinthians: “Do not fool yourself. If anyone thinks he knows everything there is to know in this world, he had better admit that he is a fool so he can wise up.”²⁶

Origen addresses this need for humility among all peoples. For him, a conceited person immersed in their own arrogance cannot know the wisdom of God as long as they cling to their own foolishness, thinking it is wisdom.²⁷ And for Ambrosiaster, a person who is contemptuous, is full of the same pride that got the devil thrown out of heaven. Solomon made it clear, “God resists the proud.”²⁸ We must put our own pride aside to make room for helping others with their needs if we want to be acceptable to God.²⁹

This is followed by Pelagius’ instructions telling us to respect one another as we would respect ourselves. Anyone who takes it upon themselves to avenge any wrongs done to them by others, is really being arrogant and gives no thought to the fact that they may suffer humiliation as a consequence. Don’t go around telling everyone how clever you are. Don’t try to outsmart the world so that God can fill you with His wisdom.³⁰ When you hear a minister talk to the congregation as though they know all there is to know about conducting themselves in this world in order to prove themselves as genuine Christians, and unless you listen to them you will never be able to excel and reach their level of expertise in all things spiritual, be careful. Taste to see if it has the flavor of God’s Word before you swallow everything they are saying.

Jeffrey Gitomer, professional speaker, and business trainer made the statement that “Failure is not about insecurity. It’s about lack of execution.” Then Stephen Sondheim, American composer and lyricist in a Broadway hit, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1962), gave these words, in one of his other hit Broadway musicals to a character named George to say to Harriet: “Everything depends upon execution; having just a vision is no solution.”¹ When put together they make a modern parable. It tells us that failure to accomplish your dream is not caused by feeling afraid to try, but because you haven’t tried at all.

From this we learn that lack of execution doesn’t mean you don’t have a plan or strategy, it means you don’t have the will to put it into action. Swedish Founder CEO and Executive Vice President of IDCON, INC, Chris Idhammar, who is a respected and high profiled and world-renowned expert within the Reliability and Maintenance field once met a young and enthusiastic engineer who declared that they were already done with the reliability and maintenance management strategy, and that it was well developed and documented by a team in their company Idhammar told him that that sounded good. That meant that they were done with about 5% of the work. Somewhat disturbed the young man asked him what he meant by that. Idhammar inquired, “Have you spent any time to educate, inform and implement the strategy in your plants?” The answer was negative and the young man wasn’t quite sure what that meant.

In other words, he had a plan but no program to put it into effect. Very often, people believe the job is done because they have developed and documented a plan. But that is just the beginning, and if the plan is not implemented and executed the effort is wasted. This makes for a lot of plans and strategies but very little execution. So what happens? Robert Unyx, Chief Developer, Designer & Visionary at Top Secret Project says they keep doing the same thing because they are afraid of failing since their expectations of success are so high. They’re afraid of taking a less than perfect step. They want guarantees. They don’t want to take the risk of failing. They can’t seem to settle on a good enough starting point. They want the best starting point there is. So they keep planning and planning and planning.

How can a person stop this negative habit? Well, they have to come to the realization that their current strategy is not working and that they must try something else if they want things to get better. They have to take this out of their mind and internalized it into their will. They must stop believing that the way they are doing things is the only way to go. They are afraid that if they stop and try something new they’ll never get to where they want to go. But they must understand that with their current strategy, they’ll never get anywhere at all. It’s like going in a circle. Maybe then, they will truly be ready to change.

A good way to start solving this problem is by going out of their comfort zone and pushing themselves to take a leap of faith. This involves developing new habits, which means putting the old ones away. They will still get strong urges to go back to their old ways. But if they haven’t worked so far, why should they set themselves up for disappointment again? They must put up a really good fight to overcome this way of thinking. They’re trying to hold on to something that doesn’t work while losing something that will work. They have to let go.

Only by being determined to move on can they get around that obstacle. They must make up their minds to at least give it a try. Just start, and see where it takes them. Or how about phasing it into something that is working to make it work better? Making even minor changes is better than making no changes at all. There is really only one way to increase the possibility of making progress. Just do it! Just give it a try! Maybe they’ll fail, but so what? They’ve been failing by doing it the old way. Besides, they can start over and try again. Now at least they know what doesn’t work. Life is going to move on, why not move on with it.

Another thing to consider is that you need not look further down the road than you have to. It’s not the changes you plan to make in the future that count, it’s the changes you plan to make now. So don’t overthink it. It’s your choice now, whether you want to change or not. You may feel like you’re not ready to change, but there will really never be a right time. Eventually, you just have to give it a go. So what do you do?

Pick something you want to do, and just start somewhere, and start small. And keep doing it, and then soon you can start doing more, and eventually a plan will have naturally developed, and this way, in general, you’ll have a much better idea about what you need to do and how to make it realistic. And although this takes planning, make sure most of your time is spent actually doing things. In fact, how about taking 30 minutes each day to plan and then focus on putting it into action the rest of the time?

If you spent some time to plan, then you’ll come up with a pretty good idea about what you want to do and how you want to do it. And don’t second guess yourself. You can always adjust what you do on the go. Get into the habit of adapting and changing, moving fast and even breaking things, instead of moving slowly and carefully to make sure you don’t break anything. Just figure out the first step and start. And stop making excuses. Just do it. It’s your life, your choice. So decide now.

Out of all the Apostles of Christ, James was the one who seems to understand this principle more than most. His message to those who hesitate on acting because of a variety of excuses was this: Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a good listener when you let instructions go in one ear and out the other. Put into action what you’ve heard! Those who hear and then don’t act are like people who glance at themselves in a mirror, walk away, and two minutes later can’t remember what they saw.²

Later on in his letter, James becomes personal in his advice. He tells his dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this world if you learn all the right words but never make any use of them? Does merely talking about having a vision indicate that a person really has one? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup. That doesn’t get anything done. Isn’t it obvious that talking a good talk but not walking a good walk is nothing more than outrageous pretending?³

Then James continues by asking, wasn’t our ancestor Abraham “made right with God by acting on what he believed to be true” when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn’t it obvious that having a vision and having a plan are partners, that a vision can only be realized by working on it? That what you are working on is your vision? When it says that Abraham “believe,” that includes his action. It’s that bonding of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend.” Just having a vision and believing in it is not enough. Unless you start doing something to make it happen your dream will never come true.⁴

Now maybe this new proverb, “Failure is not about insecurity. It’s about a lack of execution. Having just a vision is no solution, everything depends upon execution” can be seen more clearly. God had a plan to save the world, but if He had not put it into action by sending His only Son to complete the work necessary, it would have never happened. Let that be a lesson for all of us. Visions are fine, but victories are even better. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

KNOCKED ON DEATH’S DOOR TWICE AND IT DIDN’T OPEN

It started six years when by divine intervention they found an aneurysm in my abdominal aorta. It came about because a substitute PCP suggested off-hand that I get a scan on my abdomen since I had reached the age where something like this may occur. He was right. They found an abdominal aortic aneurysm. But it had not grown large enough to pose any threat, so my vascular surgeon suggested that we give it a year and check it again.

A few months later I woke up with a terrible stomach ache. Nothing I did would ease the pain. So off to the ER we went. They couldn’t find out what was causing the upset stomach, but in their scan, they saw that my aneurysm had suddenly grown to the point of 5 cm where it was considered dangerous if not treated. As soon as the surgeon saw the scan, he told me they couldn’t wait, something had to be done immediately.

So I was quickly scheduled for surgery and they were able to surgically repair the aneurysm and remove the threat of any rupture. My precious wife who had been with me every moment was told she could go home now because everything was okay. We only lived a few blocks from the hospital, so she was glad to get home and get a good night’s sleep. But that didn’t last long. A little after midnight, she was called and told that after they put me in the recovery room my heart stopped beating and I was coded. She needed to return immediately to approve any procedures that might be necessary in keeping me alive. By the time she got back, they had started my heart again and placed me in intensive care. As my younger sisters said, “Someone touched heaven for me.” It was my precious wife’s prayers and the prayers of my family and friends touched the heart of God and He refused to let death open its door.

Now, six years later, it took another intervention by my heavenly Father to keep me here for a little while longer. Let me tell you what happened, and you’ll see how miraculous that was. Anyone who would call these incidents anything other than miracles does not know our living God.

It began when I woke up early Sunday morning two weeks ago. I had a dull ache directly between my shoulder blades. As soon as I realized my sleeping position, I assumed that I had somehow strained my back. I rolled over and waited for it to go away. It didn’t. After about an half an hour, I asked the joy of my life if she would kindly get me some Tylenol, which she graciously did. By morning, the pain had subsided.

So we were up and off to church. Later that day, the pain returned. Only this time, it was in the middle of my chest. So as it grew stronger, I asked my wife if I should take some Tylenol and she agreed. By bedtime, the pain had subsided and I looked forward to a good night’s sleep. Got up bright and early Monday and went for my walk with my Bro. Rudy. Felt good! That was, until the afternoon. The pain returned. But now it was in the front of my chest just behind the breastbone. As the day progressed, I dealt with it until it was time to take some more pain medication.

Woke up Tuesday morning feeling strong and good again. But by noon the pain was back in my chest. This time, Tylenol did not phase it. So I eventually told my wife that I thought I needed my Nitro. That always works. But, it didn’t work this time. Following the doctor’s orders, I took a second Nitro after five minutes. That didn’t work. The doctor’s instructions were that if the second pill did not work, go straight to the ER. And that’s what we did.

Now here is where God’s miracle-working power kicks in. After telling the doctor the same story I just told you, and after the lab work came back, he informed me that it looked like I had a urinary tract infection. So they were going to treat it with antibiotics and send me home. But first, they wanted to do something about the pain. They gave me another Nitro but that had no impact. Then they gave me a short of morphine. When the nurse came back to check, I told him that the pain was still the same. So he gave me another dose. But that didn’t work either.

The doctor was mystified as to why the pain was so persistent. So he ordered a chest scan. When it came back that’s when I realized the God’s hand had gotten involved. They discovered that I had a thoracic aorta pseudo-aneurysm just above my heart. The size was already at 5 cm and in danger of rupturing. Had God not made it impossible for all the painkillers I received to deaden the pain, I would most likely not be here to tell you this story. Sometimes God says “Yes,” and sometimes He says “NO!”

My cardiologist was called. She came to the hospital. She was very direct. We only had two choices. Leave the aneurysm alone and try to control it with blood pressure medication and risk a rupture with certain death, or have it surgically repaired and run the risk of my heart not be able to withstand the trauma of anesthesia and surgery and die of a heart attack. We looked at each other, and without saying a word agreed that having the surgery was the best option.

I was transported to the Cardio Vascular Intensive Care Unit at Hoag Heart Center in Newport Beach, CA, some 14 miles away. They immediately began to run tests to see the severity of the aneurysm and if it could be repaired. The clock was ticking and they had to make a decision soon. Finally, all the specialists agreed that the surgery was possible but they were unsure if my heart could take the added pressure.

So it was agreed that one more test should be done. They did an angiogram, and that’s when they saw the second miracle. My heart had partially healed itself by putting out collateral veins to bypass the 99% blockage in my descending artery so that needed blood could be sent back to the heart. As soon as they saw that, the green light was given to go ahead with the surgery.

At first, it was scheduled for the next morning, but after the team discussed the matter they moved it up to that afternoon. Time was of the essence. The blood that had seeped in between the thick inner wall of the aorta and the thin outer wall was pushing out like a big bubble. They knew they had to act right away. Praise God they were successful! The stent was inserted and a rupture was avoided.

As each team member visited me in the CCU and Cardio Vascular ICU, they told me how surprised they were that everything had gone so well and that I was recovering so quickly. That’s when the third miracle was revealed. I told them that from the beginning, my family, my wife’s family, friends, and relatives plus hundreds of Facebook friends had been praying. It was their prayers that made the difference between a normal recovery and the one the doctors were seeing.

After being moved to a room in the hospital, each team doctor came by to tell me what they saw and how it pleased them that everything had turned out fine. Each time I pointed to the sky above and said that it was God who made the difference. The last doctor to come in was very straightforward. He told me I could have easily died before they were able to repair the aneurysm. Again, I gave all glory to God and to all the prayer warriors who had been praying for me.

If you have ever thought that you’re prayers don’t make any difference, think again. Remember, you are praying to a living, prayer-answering God. Some people may say that what happened was a matter of luck or good karma, but that’s nonsense. God loves His children, and He’s the only one who could have decided to keep the pain going until the aneurysm was discovered, and touched the heart to grow its own veins to bypass the blockage. So my second knock on death’s door went unanswered because it’s not His time for me to go.

God bless all of you for your love, care, and prayers. You are part of the reason I’m still here and able to continue teaching God’s word on the internet. And my loving, caring wife also made a big difference. Sleeping on an uncomfortable chair night after night; getting up with me each time the nurses came to check my vital signs; making sure I was fed and kept warm. She didn’t have one night’s sleep for 9 nights. She is a jewel and my most precious possession. For me, all of this means that God has something great in store and I’m excited to find out what it is! Love all of you. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER TWELVE (Lesson XXXVII)

Paul also shared this sense of empathy with the Corinthians. He wrote: “Who is weak without my sharing his weakness? Who falls into sin without my burning inside? If I must boast, I will boast about things that show how weak I am.”¹ And in Hebrews we see this same sentiment expressed: “Remember those in prison and being mistreated, as if you were in prison with them and undergoing their torture yourselves.”² No doubt all of us have heard the phrase: “In word and deed.” Paul uses that saying in several places.³ It is so apropos here when we think about how many times people have come forward in church for prayer, or sent requests for prayer, and then they never hear anymore from the ones who prayed for them. Paul is saying, that our prayers and best wishes for those in need are best served with a follow-up. Don’t just say you care, show how much you care.

Some early church scholars have differing opinions on how rejoicing and weeping should be applied by believers. On the assertive side, Ambrosiaster believes that if you weep with an unbeliever, it may motivate them to accept the Lord’s teachings.⁴ And Chrysostom preached about having compassion when he points to Paul’s desire that the believers in Rome be saturated with the warmth of friendship in their hearts and minds. That, then, propels him to continue exhorting them not merely to bless, but even feel compassion for the pain and suffering that comes upon people after they fall into serious trouble.⁵ The real key here is to link verse 15 with verse 14 where Paul is talking about those who persecute believers. So we are not to switch from rejoicing or weeping with fellow believers to showing no emotion for unbelievers who are weeping or rejoicing.

Then, on the cautious side, we read that Origen believes we must have a clear and precise understanding of when to be happy and when to be sad for other people and their conditions. Origen felt that a Christian’s joy was to be different than other kinds of joy, the tears of a Christian are not to be confused as simply being tears. He had seen people rejoicing because they had made a lot of money, or acquired a lot of property, or having received many worldly awards. He didn’t feel it was proper to rejoice with them because these are only temporary and they are often followed by sorrow and disappointment. For him, rejoicing as a believer should be with those who are seen doing a work which deserves to be recognized in heaven, whether it is a work of righteousness, of charity, of peace, or of mercy. Also, when we witness someone leave the darkness of sin behind and come to the light of truth and the forgiveness of sins, we ought to rejoice with them.⁶

Origen, strangely enough, felt like there was no reason for believers to weep with unbelievers who were mourning their dead. Rather, that a believer’s tears should join those who are weeping because they are under conviction for their sins; who are turning to Christ in repentance, and whose tears are part of their sins being washed away. Furthermore, when an unbeliever groans because they suddenly realize the hopeless predicament they are in as a lost sinner and want to find Christ, then we should join them in their desire to be saved with an outpouring of tears⁷.⁸

However, Pelagius sees the appropriate application of what Paul says here as a litmus test in identifying true believers. After all, our Lord was brought to tears by the weeping of Mary, to give us an example.⁹ His weeping must not be misunderstood as shedding tears for His friend Lazarus whom he would shortly bring back to life, but because of the unbelief of those who again and again did not believe Him when He performed wonders. As odd as it may sound, Pelagius believes that Christians now do just the opposite. They weep with envy over those who rejoice and rejoice with gladness over those who weep. When they see someone other than themselves being praised, they weep with unhappiness. However, if they see some prominent individual fall into ruin, they leap for joy. When believers act this way they show everyone that they do not belong to the body of Christ. Who can grieve for a member who has been cut off when that means they have become enemies of their own side and friends of the opposition. On the other hand, who would not grieve if they saw one of their bravest Christian warriors fall in the heat of battle against Satan, but not be brought to their feet, rejoicing in admiration when they see them fighting bravely against sin and evil and being victorious.¹⁰

On this precept, John Calvin points out that we find another truth laid out for us by Paul. This is related to how the faithful should regard each other with mutual affection and admiration, and put the other person’s situation above their own. Here Paul specifies two particular things, – That they were to “rejoice with the rejoicing,” and to “weep with the weeping.” This is what authenticates true love, that as believers we weep for our brother or sister rather than stand back and only observe their grief from a distance while we go on with our lives. What did Paul mean by this? He stresses that as much as possible we ought to empathize with one another. And whatever our situation may be, take the time to assimilate the feelings of a hurting brother or sister, whether they are grieving or dealing with adversity, or rejoicing in prosperity or suffering from loss. But never should a believer subdue their happiness for a fellow believer because of envy. At the same time, to refrain from grieving for their misfortunes is not only unchristian but inhuman. As Calvin sees it, we believers should develop such a depth of compassion and sympathy that we can respond authentically to all kinds of situations and emotions.¹¹

One thing I learned in my Clinical Pastoral Education as a chaplain was not to cry for people but cry with them. Feel their hurt and let it bring tears to our eyes. Adam Clarke had a similar concept in mind when he advised that believers should work at developing a compassionate or empathizing mind. Their heart should ache for those in distress; start joining them in their grief, and bear part of their burdens. In fact, through empathy, a person may actually have their own feelings affected in great measure to the distress of their friend. This should help their friend have the same amount of relief as the amount of empathy their friend shares with them in their grief.¹²

On the other hand, when it comes to being thrilled at the success for good fortune of a brother or sister, neighbor or friend, Albert Barnes believes that this command grows out of the doctrine stated in verses 4-5 pronouncing the church as one family. Therefore, it has one interest, and that is mutual empathy in its joys and sorrows with brothers and sisters. One way to participate in their welfare and show your attachment to them is by rejoicing when they are made happy.¹³ In this way, happiness can spread and multiplies itself. God has joined us together in Christ. And since He is touched by our feelings, we should be touched by the feelings of others¹⁴.¹⁵

Charles Hodge focuses on the fundamentals of this concept of rejoicing or weeping with those who celebrate or are in sorrow. For Hodge, love produces not only the forgiveness of enemies, but a general sympathy for the joys and sorrows of our fellowmen, and especially of our fellow Christians. What Paul is saying here is the exact opposite of a selfish indifference to any interests but our own. The Gospel requires that we think of all our brothers and sisters as family members. That means we share the same spiritual nature, we share the same Father up above, and we have a mutual destiny called heaven. There are very few things that are more powerful than love and genuine sympathy. How much like Christ is the man who feels the sorrows and joys of others, as though they were his own¹⁶

Preacher Charles Spurgeon speaks on this in one of his sermons. For him, sympathy is a duty of all mankind. We are all brethren sprung from the same stock, and that which is a good thing to any other person ought to be a joy to each of us. When we hear of any friend or neighbor being sick, it should make us feel sad. At the same time, should any of our acquaintances rejoice over something worthy of joy, it should make all of us thankful. But Paul wants to elevate a natural duty into something higher. We should consider it a sacred privilege among the born again in the wonderful family of God. In addition to the natural ties we all have as human beings, we have additional bonds as new creatures in Christ Jesus. That’s because we have “one Lord, one faith. one baptism.” We are members of one body, having one only Head: and one life throbs through all the members of that body.

Therefore, for us, as believers to find strife in dealing with one another in joy or in sorrow would be contrary to the sacred instincts which arise out of Christian unity. Spurgeon points out that if indeed, we are one with Christ, we are also one with each other, and we must participate in the common joys and common sorrows of all the elect family. But this can go even higher with greater intensity when the joys involved are spiritual joys. For instance, if a fellow Christian prospers in a business that we may not be sure it will turn out to be a real blessing to them, if they do end up prospering in spite of some difficulties and setbacks, then we may safely rejoice to the very fullest that the blessing they have received will bring honor and glory to God.¹⁷

Jewish scholar David Stern tells us that this concept of having empathy with those who are happy or in grief was also part of Jewish culture. He points to the Babylonian Talmud where it says that when the community is in trouble a person shouldn’t say I’ll go home, eat and drink, because I’m fine. What the person who does that is really saying, the Scripture says, Let’s have a good time now because tomorrow we’ll all be dead.¹⁸ So what follows next? Listen to what the Lord of Hosts revealed to me: You will pay for what you’ve done when you die. This is the conduct of ordinary people, but what does Scripture say of the conduct of the wicked? They will say let’s have a party, nothing’s going to change, in fact, it may get even better by tomorrow.¹⁹ But what does Scripture say about the righteous? It tells us that when a righteous person perishes, nobody seems to care. When godly people are taken away, they are lucky to escape the evil that is coming.²⁰ It should never be this way, people should always share in the distress of the community.²¹

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER TWELVE (Lesson XXXVI)

Jonathan Edwards was burdened by the fact that in his day there were some who, when praying for others, wished either paradise or perdition for them. He said, “They pray that others may either be converted or removed. I never heard nor read of any such thing practiced in the church of God till now.” It goes against the very spirit of what Paul says here. How can any join blessings and curses in the same prayer? No matter how ill-treated we may be by others, we should never allow bad feelings to develop toward them. If a person cannot express goodwill to all, then it might be best not to express any will at all. Paul was certainly in harmony with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount¹.²

Robert Haldane agrees with Calvin that we should not take the order in which these characteristics here by Paul, starting with verse 6, as having anything to do with their priority. We should note how important they are, not how they connect with each other. So when it comes to dealing with persecutors, he feels that only born-again believers can follow the instructions that Paul shares. And even for them, the difficulty will be in line with their progress in their spiritual life. Any difference between what our spiritual nature is capable of and what is needed can only be compensated for by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. In any case, Haldane does not believe that anyone can justly call themselves a Christian who does not in some measure possess this spirit, and practice this precept. With that being said, Haldane wonders how few genuine disciples of Christ there really are now days.³

Charles Hodge also touches on how far reaching this precept of Paul’s is. Everyone expects Christians to love each other and treat one another with kindness and dignity. But this exercise of love, and carrying out the duties of kindness, are not only to be directed toward the saints of God. This same attitude must be expressed to our opponents. The Greek verb eulogeō rendered “to bless,” signifies both praying for good to happen to anyone, and doing good for them as well. As this word is used in this context, praying for the good of others, including enemies, is the preferred understanding. This is opposed to wishing evil or harm on those who cause trouble and heartache. In Hodge’s mind, refraining from wishing that evil may overtake those who persecute us is not enough. We must go a step further and actually and sincerely desire and pray for their good. It is not sufficient to avoid returning evil for evil, nor even to forbid revengeful feelings; we must bring ourselves to truly wish them happiness. If this is hard for a Christian, imagine how hard it would be for those dealing with a corrupt human nature? Anyone who really knows their own heart would agree. Yet this is a standard part of Christian character as exhibited in the Scriptures⁴.⁵

Frédéric Godet also treats this subject by identifying it as a further step from exhibiting hospitality to strangers to showing kindness to those that persecute. Each progressive act of love becomes more and more energetic. No doubt this is the reason why Paul jumps from giving guidelines to demanding action. No longer is Paul dealing with those things expected of love, he now wants the Roman believers to know there are some imperatives that need to be acted upon. That would suggests that some persecution had already started against the church in Rome. What the Apostle Paul is wanting to happen will require a powerful effort of the will. This is why Paul repeats what he says going from the positive to the negative. In other words, do this but don’t do this. You can love and pray for those who persecute you, but for heaven’s sake don’t take revenge on them and wish them any harm.⁶

Godet thinks we should consider that it might be conceivable that the Apostle Paul had gotten hold of a copy of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. If not, he must have known from oral tradition enough that he was able to allude to the sayings of Jesus as recorded by Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28. This discourse of Jesus is the one which has the most marked traces in the Epistles.⁷ Our Lord’s recommendation, related to showing love toward malicious persons, was already an expectation in Paul’s day.⁸

John Stott follows the same line of thinking as Godet. He raises the point that even if our persecutors are not part of our Christian community, yet the call to bless them is a necessary challenge to Christian love. It is easy to see why “blessing” and “cursing” are opposites. After all, wishing people good things or wishing them bad things could not be more different. We must consider that Paul knew about Jesus’ teaching where He told His disciples not only to “bless” those who curse us,⁹ but also to “pray” for them¹⁰ and to “do good” to them.¹¹ What better way is there to express our constructive wishes for our enemies’ welfare than to take them from prayer to action?¹²

Douglas Moo takes it one step further. He notes that here in verses 9–13 Paul mainly used participles (suggestions) to help define the action we should take. But in verse 14 he switches to the more typical imperative mood (commands) calling for action right now. He also suddenly shifts his focus from relationships with other believers to the way that same love can be shown to non-Christians. Paul’s command in verse 14 remind us of Jesus’ famous teaching from the Sermon on the Mount: “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”¹³ “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”¹⁴

Moo so much as says that these similarities to what Jesus taught suggests that Paul is quoting Jesus’ teaching here. In fact, we see more dependence on Jesus’ teaching in this part of Romans than we do anywhere else in Paul’s writings. The way Paul weaves references to Jesus’ words into his own exhortations is typical of the way the early Christians absorbed Jesus’ teachings into their own ethical tradition and the way many preachers and teachers do today. Paul agrees with Jesus’ call to turn the other cheek, displaying a love for others that goes far beyond the normal boundaries of human love.¹⁵

Verse 15: When others are happy, you should be happy with them. And when others are sad, you should be sad too.

Now the Apostle Paul segues from sympathy to empathy. No matter how well-intentioned a Christian’s kindness and hospitality may be, the last thing any person who is disabled or disenfranchised wants to hear them say is: “I feel sorry for you.” There is a distinct difference between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy expresses feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else’s misfortune. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of what another person is facing, sometimes without them being fully communicated in an explicit manner.

This was so clearly communicated in Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son. When he finally came to his senses, and went back home with full intentions of asking his father to allow him back in as a servant, his father rejoiced that the son he thought was ruined and lost forever, was still alive and contrite over his decision to leave and waste his inheritance. But the elder son was not so thrilled to see his younger sibling return and not be chastised and punished. So his father turned to him and said: “My son, you have been here with me all the time. All that I have is yours. It is right and good that we should have a good time and be glad. Your brother was dead and now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found.”¹⁶

When Paul was explaining to the Corinthians how the body of Christ was like the human body and how each part that makes up the whole should work together for the good of the body. So he tells them this: “All the parts are to care for each other. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. If one part is honored, all the other parts share in its happiness.”¹⁷ When Paul wrote them again, he told them about his decision not to come for a visit: “As I thought about it, I decided I would not come to you again. It would only make you sad. If I make you sad, who is going to make me happy? How can you make me happy if I make you sad? That is why I wrote that letter to you. I did not want to visit you and be made sad by the ones who should be making me happy. I am sure when I am happy, you are happy also.”¹⁸

But rejoicing with those who rejoice in victory is only half the story. There are those who need a hug when the tears are those of sadness, not joy. King David tells the story about some of those who wanted to see him overthrown, many of which were once good friends, and put a new king in his place. He couldn’t understand why there were being so brutal and malicious. David says: “When they were ill, wore sackcloth; I put myself out and fasted; I can pray that what I prayed for them might also happen to me. I behaved as I would for my friend or my brother; I bent down in sorrow as if mourning my mother.” But now that David himself was suffering, it’s a different story. Says David: “They gather together in joy. Those who say things to hurt people gather against me. I did not know them any more. They speak against me without stopping. They grit their teeth while telling dirty jokes about me when they get together.”¹⁹

This certainly was the case with Nehemiah when he learned that some of the Jews who had been exiled in Babylon were freed and had returned to their homes in Jerusalem. What they found was a city with its walls broken down, the gates destroyed by fire, and the Temple in ruins. Said Nehemiah: “Upon hearing this, I sat down and cried and was filled with sorrow for days. I did not eat, and I prayed to the God of heaven.”²⁰ And the Lord confessed to Jeremiah that He found Himself hurting with sorrow for His people, especially for those who had been killed because of their disobedience. He said: “I wish I were out in the desert, in some travelers’ lodge — then I could get away from my people and distance myself from them!”²¹ Of course He couldn’t since He loved His people and had promised never to leave or forsake them.²²

Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, Poland (1772-1810), once made this wise saying, “All beginnings require that you unlock a new door.”¹ Here’s one lesson we can learn from what he said: Many of us are still holding on to keys from doors of the past that are not only closed, but the locks have been changed. We’re toting around a ring with keys to doors of opportunity long gone. For some reason, we’ve hung on to those keys and they are weighing us down. So how can we even think of opening a new door?

Here are ten things I’ve read that are important to keep in mind when, and if, you’re on the verge of starting a new chapter in your life and need to open a new door:

First, let go of the past. It’s so difficult when you’re starting something new to keep hauling the past along behind you. New beginnings require moving forward and letting go of those things you’re trying to pull along with you. Remember, you can grow new flowers where old flowers used to be, so you should let go of whatever you’re still holding onto and learn from it. Furthermore, why not let go of the things you can’t control? Remember, most things are only a part of your life because you keep thinking about them. Positive things happen in your life when you emotionally distance yourself from the negative things. So stop holding on to what hurts, and make room for what feels right. Do not let what is out of your control interfere with all the things you can control.

Secondly, face your fears. Fear is an excellent indicator that you’re on the right track. If you’re starting to feel anxious or fearful about taking that step forward, that’s a good sign that you’re actually entering new territory and you should continue moving forward. Don’t let fear hold you back. In other words, accept and embrace reality. Everything happens for you, not to you. Needed changes come around at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. For everything you lose, you gain something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something else. You don’t have to like it, but it’s just easier if you do. So pay attention to your outlook on life. You can either regret it or rejoice in it; it’s your choice.

Thirdly, watch the stories that you tell yourself. Let me share what I’ve heard about this a little further. We all tell ourselves stories, whether we realize it or not. Here’s one that a person told themselves as they were looking into their future as a retiree. They thought of telling themselves a little fib that when old people become retirees, they will no longer be good for anything after they reach that stage of life. Believing that story might cause them to begin exhibiting the behavior of giving up and coasting through the rest of their life without any purpose. So, watch the stories and fairy-tales you tell yourself because you might start to believe those stories and let them affect your behavior. You can also look at it this way: a change of mind is like taking a deep breath – it isn’t part of the process, it is the process. In reality, the only thing we can count on is change. And the first step toward positive change is to change your outlook. Prepare for the positive. Prepare for something different. Allow the unknown to take you to fresh and unforeseen areas in yourself. Growth is impossible without change. If you cannot change your mind, you cannot change anything in your life. Sometimes all you need to do is look at things from a different perspective.

Fourthly, endings are necessary. There’s a saying that goes, “The day you were born, you began to die.” That’s pretty hard to swallow, but it’s true. Everything will one day come to an end, but when we face that end, that’s our opportunity to look for a new beginning. But there is another aspect to consider. Hold tight to the good things you’ve learned. When life’s struggles knock you into a pit so deep you can’t see anything but darkness, don’t waste valuable energy trying to dig your way out. Because if you hastily dig in the dark, you’re likely to head in the wrong direction and only dig the pit deeper. Instead, use what energy you have to create new ideas. For good ideas are like a light that’s bright; its radiance will show you which way is up, and illuminate the correct path that will take you there.

Fifthly, failures can teach us lessons. They are a bruise, not a permanent tattoo. There is a story that basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan tells. He says that he missed over 9,000 shots in his career, and 26 different times he went up for a game-winning shot and missed it, but all of those mistakes led to his success. Think about that for a second. When you are looking your new beginning in the face, just know that mistakes will come and you will learn from them. We are all perfectly imperfect. That’s why we should rest and regroup. Strength isn’t about bearing a cross of grief or shame. Strength is about choosing your path, living with the consequences, and learning from them. Sometimes you do your best and end up with a mess. When this happens, don’t be discouraged. You tried. That’s really all you can ever do. You have not failed; you just learned what not to do. So rest, regroup and begin again with what you now know.

Sixth, new beginnings are a chance to be better. Metamorphosis can happen to you – it’s not just for caterpillars, it’s for you and me, and we can choose what to do in our new beginning to make ourselves better. No one has a monopoly on their future. Each one of us can determine what we will write in this new chapter of our life. New beginnings are a clean sheet of paper in our book, so turn that page and begin doing what you want. It’s another way of saying, don’t be afraid to take chances. Making a big life change or trying something new can be scary. But do you know what’s even scarier? Regret. So realize that most of your fears are much bigger in your mind than they are in reality; you’ll see this for yourself as soon as you face them. Don’t let them stop you. Live your life so that you never have to regret the chances you never took, the love you never let in, and the gifts you never gave out.

Seventh, keep climbing. Every person who is at the top of the mountain did not fall there from the sky. Good things come to those who work for them. You gain confidence and grow stronger by every experience in which you truly push yourself to do something you didn’t think you could do. If you are standing in that place of in-between, unable or unwilling to go backward, but too afraid to move forward, remember that you can’t enjoy the view without being willing to climb.

Eighth, appreciate what you have learned. Nothing is more beautiful and powerful than a smile that has struggled through the tears. Don’t regret your time, even the moments that were filled with hurt. Smile because you learned from it and gained the strength to rise above it. In the end, it’s not what you have been through that defines who you are; it’s how you got through it that has made you the person you are today and the person you are capable of being tomorrow.

Ninth, realize every step is necessary. Nothing is ever wrong. We learn from every step we take. Whatever you did today was a necessary step to get to tomorrow. So be proud of yourself. Maybe you are not as good as you want to be, or as great as you one day will be; but thanks to all the lessons you’ve learned along the way, you are so much better than you used to be.

Tenth, learn what God’s word has to say about facing new challenges in life. You are not the only one who has plans for your life. God told the prophet, Jeremiah, that He had plans for him as well. But God’s plans were designed for his well-being, not for trouble. That way, he had a bright future with great hopes.² Later on Jeremiah found out how true that was. So he looked up and said it was all because of the Lord’s loving-kindness that we do not end up with a ruined life, for His loving-kindness never ends. It is new every morning. He is so very faithful. Jeremiah then said his soul exclaimed: “I’ve put my future hopes in the Lord’s hands, so all my hope is in Him.”³

Later, when Jesus came to walk the earth, He taught those who would listen this exciting prospect about opening new doors of opportunity: Don’t stop asking, and what you are asking for will be given to you. Keep looking, and what you are looking for you will soon find. Keep on knocking, and the door you are knocking on will be opened to you. Everyone who keeps asking will receive what they ask for. Everyone who never stops looking finds what they are looking for. And everyone who keeps on knocking will see the door opened to them.⁴

So we can see why the Apostle Paul and Barnabas when they got back to Antioch after their long missionary journey through Asia Minor, told the congregation everything God had done for them. They told how God had opened the door for the people who were not Jews to have faith.⁵ They credited all their success to God’s plans, not theirs. In fact, Paul credited everything he accomplished to the wide door that God had opened for him to go through.⁶ In other words, God had opened doors that he could have never unlocked.

What does all this tell us? That during our journey through life we will encounter many new doors that must be opened in order for us to continue on toward our goal and God’s destiny for our lives. But many of these doors are not only locked, but they are big and hard to open. That’s when we need to remember we are not on this journey alone. We have family, friends, and the Holy Spirit to help us. So as Rabbi Nachman tells us, don’t get frustrated because you’ve been stopped due to a locked door. Work and pray on learning how to get the door open so you can move on. – Dr. Robert R Seyda

I shared this story some years ago, but after reading it again, it still made me think about the truth that the story contains. So I thought I’d share it again and hope, even if you read it before, it will still impress you with its message.

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE NAILS

There was this young lad who lost his temper very easily. No matter how much his father tried to instruct him on holding his temper, it just didn’t seem to take effect. So one day his father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must go out and hammer a nail into the wooden fence that ran along the backyard, no matter what the weather may be.

The first day alone the boy drove 17 nails into the fence. But over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered that every time he started to lose his temper he remembered that he would have to go out and drive a nail into the fence when it was cold, dark, and raining.

Finally, the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He was so proud that he ran to tell his father the good news. So after his dad complimented him, he told his son that each day that he kept from losing his temper he could go out and remove a nail from the fence. That way, no one could ask what all those nails were doing in the back fence?

It took a little longer than expected because each time the boy did lose his temper he had to go out and drive in a new nail. After days and days passed, believe it or not, the day finally came when he was able to report that all the nails were gone. His dad’s smile made him feel so proud. “Well done,” his father said, “but now let me show you the whole reason why I had to drive in and pull out those nails.”

So he took his son by the hand and led him out to the fence. He said, “You’ve done a great job, son. I’m so proud of you. But look at all the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave scars just like these holes in the wood. And it doesn’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound will be there a long time before it finally heals.”

The little boy then understood how powerful this lesson was. He looked up at his father and said, “I hope you can forgive me for all the holes I put in you.” “Of course I can,” said the father. “You see, my love for you will help those holes to heal. But I have to tell you that while forgiveness may come easy for some people, the scars caused by those nails of anger may never go away.”

But there is one part that is not in this story, and that is the healing power of God’s love. Human love is great but not as great as God’s love. When we have God’s love in us, it not only heals the wounds made by other people’s anger, but it can also remove the scars. And the reason why is because those scars are carried by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The love that brought the nail prints in His hands is powerful enough to remove the scars in our hearts caused by others. Just remember His words: “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” – Dr. Robert R Seyda

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER TWELVE (Lesson XXXV)

Albert Barnes notes that Paul is not inventing a new Christian ministry here, it was prominent even among the Gentiles. In many countries, it was customary to build places for lodging and shelters at suitable distances between destinations, by the side of springs or oases for travelers to rest in. Some were built at public expense but were unfurnished. Travelers carried their own sleeping mats and clothes and cooking utensils. Most were merely shelters for caravans.¹ But among Christians who were a minority in every place they lived and worshiped, considered it one principal part of their duty to show hospitality to itinerant preachers and traveling fellow believers. Barnes notes that believers rarely traveled without letters of commendation which testified to the purity of their faith, and procured for them a favorable reception wherever the name of Jesus Christ was known².³

John Stott has an interesting commentary on Christian hospitality where he points out that if charity is shown to the needy, hospitality is shown to visitors. The Greek noun philadelphia (love of sisters and brothers) in verse 10 has to be balanced by the Greek noun philoxenia (love of strangers) here in verse 13. Both are indispensable expressions of love. Stott also notes that hospitality was especially important in Bible days since inns were few and far between, and those that existed were often unsafe or unsavory places. So it became essential for Christians to open their homes to Christian travelers. In fact, this was the ministry of many local church leaders.⁴ So Paul did not only urge the Romans to “practice” hospitality but rather to “pursue” it.⁵

Verse 14: Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them.

Hospitality must be practiced in the same way we accommodate other drivers on the highway, those going in our direction and those coming from the other direction. Paul says you must show respect to both. After all, you’re not the only one on the highway. The wise man Job certainly faced this in his day. But here was his answer to those who may have thought he was not hospitable enough: “Did I rejoice at the destruction of him who hated me? Was I filled with glee when disaster overtook him? No, I did not allow my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse.”⁶ In many parts of the world, many people have been won to Christ because they were treated with compassion by Christians before they ever heard the Gospel.

Jesus understood this same dynamic. When He was teaching on the mountainside He told His listeners this: “You have heard that our fathers were told, ‘Love your neighbor — and hate your enemy.’⁷ But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Then you will become children of your Father in heaven. For he makes his sun shine on good and bad people alike, and he sends rain to the righteous and the unrighteous alike.”⁸ Luke records it this way: “Love those who work against you. Do good to those who hate you. Respect and give thanks for those who try to do bad thing to you. Pray for those who make it very hard for you.”⁹

On the subject of loving one’s neighbor and hating one’s enemy as spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5:43-45, it must first be noted that Jesus did not point to the Scriptures. Rather, He mentions the words of their Jewish forefathers. This was no doubt a reference to what was called “Oral Law.” So Jesus was not contradicting the Torah, but was no doubt quoting a popular adage among the Jewish Zealots: “Love your neighbor, but hate your enemy.” That is to say, “Love your fellow-Jew but hate the Romans.” The Dead Sea community in Qumran went even further. They taught their followers to “love all the sons of light … and hate all the sons of darkness,”¹⁰ understanding the sons of light as members of their own sect and sons of darkness to be other Jews outside of their sect. Furthermore, who can forget what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane after Peter, in a fit of rage, cut off the ear of the High Priest’s servant? Jesus stopped him, bent down, picked up the piece of the ear and healed the servant.¹¹ And even when Jesus hung dying on the cross, He look up to His Father and said: “Father, forgive them. They don’t understand what they are doing.”¹²

Before Paul wrote this to the believers in Rome, he had already shared his feelings about hospitality with the Corinthians: “We work with our hands to make a living. We speak kind words to those who speak against us. When people hurt us, we say nothing. When people say bad things about us, we answer with kind words.”¹³ Then, to the Thessalonians Paul wrote: “Do not let anyone retaliate for the bad he received. But look for ways to do good to each other and to all people.”¹⁴ Even the Apostle James saw the value in this principle when he warned: “When giving thanks and speaking bad words come from the same mouth. That, my Christian brothers, this is not right!”¹⁵

The Apostle Peter drew the same conclusion, especially when he looked at the example of Christ Jesus. Peter wrote: “These things are all a part of the Christian life to which you have been called. Christ suffered for us. This shows us we are to follow in His steps. He never sinned. No lie or bad talk ever came from His lips. When people spoke against Him, He never spoke back. When He suffered from what people did to Him, He did not try to pay them back. He left it in the hands of the One Who is always right in judging.”¹⁶ Peter then goes on to say: “When someone does something bad to you, do not do the same thing to him. When someone talks about you, do not talk about him. Instead, pray that good will come to him. You were called to do this so you might receive good things from God.”¹⁷

Several early church scholars offer their understanding of what Paul is advising here. Origen contends that Paul did not want those who believed in Christ to think ill of others but rather to speak and to pray for good things for them. That way they may be thought of as servants of a good Lord and disciples of a good Master. What the Apostle Paul says here refers to when we are assaulted by our enemies or afflicted with harm. Paul pleaded that we not repay wishes of evil with wishes of evil but to do what he says he himself he wrote: “When we are screamed at, we bless in return.¹⁸”¹⁹ Then Ambrosiaster focuses on the cause of why some believers may respond with harsh words. When God made Christians new people, they were new in every respect. Paul wanted them to discard some of what used to be old habits. For instance, when someone cursed them in anger, they returned the favor. But now things have changed. When someone curses a believer out of hatred or anger, instead of returning the same, bless them and tell them you wish them only the best. This way the Lord’s teaching might be respected²⁰.²¹

Also, in his sermon on this text, early church preacher Chrysostom proclaimed that our persecutors are in fact couriers of a double reward to us. If we remain calm and composed in our response, we will get a reward for being an example for others who may be persecuted. But there’s another reward. By demonstrating the character of Christ by blessing them, you will earn a further reward by letting our light shine as conveyors of love, not hate. If a person curses their persecutor in return for being cursed by them, it shows they are unwilling to suffer for the cause of Christ. But those who bless them that persecute them, they show the greatness of Christ’s love.²² And the early church patriarch of Constantinople believes that Paul wants all believers to exhibit such brotherly love that those who want to persecute them will have no reason for doing so.²³

For some reason, this directive by Paul touched John Calvin in a sensitive spot. He says that once and for all he wanted to remind the readers that they should not feel obligated to religiously try and follow all the precepts Paul is laying down here in precise order. Rather, he says they should be looked at as unconnected and suited as a foundation for a holy life in conjunction with the principles the Apostle introduced at the beginning of this chapter. In other words, Calvin did not want believers to view them as some Rosary to be repeated each day in the same order they were given. This has been a problem with some ultraconservative Christian groups who pride themselves with their daily check-off list in order to validate their purity as dedicated believers and followers of God’s Word.

Calvin notes that Paul is about to give directions on how to deal with retaliation for any injuries believers may suffer at the hands of persecutors. But first, he wants them to take the first step of not wishing evil on those who curse them. Instead, to wish and to pray that God will help them see that there is far more to gain with kindness than there is with curses. Since it is harder to do this than simply giving what we get in return, we should seek earnestly to rise to a higher level. The Lord commands nothing of us but what He does not require it of Himself. That’s why He accepts no excuses for being disobedient. If we lack what it takes to change, we should pray for His help in assisting us in making progress toward that goal. If there is anything that God expects of His people it is that which differs from the ungodly and the children of this world.

Calvin confesses that it is more difficult to let go of revenge when anyone is injured. While most believers will restrain their hands and not be baited into doing physical harm, yet they find it hard to not to wish some calamity to fall on the heads of who assault them as a way of paying them back for what they said or did. On top of that, Calvin experienced that even when some Christians are so pacified that they do none of these things, very few, if any, will wish their persecutors good things in hopes that persecution will stop. As Calvin sees it, God by His word not only restrains our hands from doing evil, but also subdues our bitter feelings inside. He is more interested in us being concerned about the well-being of those who trouble us for no reason and seek our destruction.²⁴

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER TWELVE (Lesson XXXIV)

Paul certainly practiced what he preached when it came to caring for those in need. For instance, he sent instructions to the Corinthian church on how they should handle the offerings they were taking up for needy Christians living in Jerusalem.¹ He also encouraged the Galatians not to grow weary in helping others, that God would supply their needs at the right time. So with that hope, Paul tells them: “Because of this, we should do good to everyone. For sure, we should do good to those who belong to Christ.”² And in Hebrews we hear Paul again thank those to whom he was writing: “God always does what is right. He will not forget the work you did to help the Christians and the work you are still doing to help them. This shows your love for Christ.”³ And later he reiterates this same thought: “But don’t forget doing good and sharing with others, for with such offerings God is well pleased.”⁴

But again, Paul adds a qualifier. It is one thing to give and to share with those who are in need and cannot help themselves under the circumstances, but it must be done without bias. The Greek noun philoxenia Paul uses here, is generally understood as hospitality to strangers. It is used that way in Hebrews: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers and let them stay in your home. Some people have had angels in their homes without knowing it.”⁵ Hospitality is the word from which we get the terms “hospital” and “hospice,” which are homes or centers for terminally ill people who have nowhere else to stay. It is a comforting place where they receive palliative care from their hosts while living out their last days.

This kindness to strangers is what set Abraham apart. When Abraham was sitting at the opening of his tent by the oak trees of Mamre, he looked up and saw three men coming down the road. We are told: “Upon seeing them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, prostrated himself on the ground, and said, ‘My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, please don’t leave your servant. Please let me send for some water, so that you can wash your feet; then rest under the tree, and I will bring a piece of bread.”⁶ His nephew, Lot, did the same when two of these angels visited him in Sodom.⁷ This may have been what the writer of Hebrews was thinking of.⁸

When Paul wrote young Timothy, he gave him this advice for church leaders: “A church leader must be a good man. His life must be so no one can say anything against him. He must have only one wife and must be respected for his good living. He must enjoy having guests in his home.”⁹ Then to Titus Paul give these instructions about bishops: “He must like to take guests into his home. He must love what is good.”¹⁰ And when it came to helping widows, Paul wrote Timothy this about those who deserved his hospitality: “She must be known for doing good things for people and for being a good mother. She must be known for taking strangers into her home and for washing the feet of Christians. She must be known for helping those who suffer and for showing kindness.”¹¹ Makes you wonder how some people would react today with the Apostle Paul as their pastor or bishop.

Although these words by Paul were in line with the manners and customs of his day, early church scholars endorsed, in various ways, what Paul said for their own era. For instance, Origen cautions that we must not look on needy saints as beggars. We should see them as people who have needs like our own. Furthermore, the practice of hospitality does not simply mean that we entertain only those who come to us. It means going out and inviting others to come in.¹² Also, the Bishop of Tarsus believes that Paul’s point here is that we should not only honor the saints and help them until all of their needs are taken care of¹³ It is clear that these writers saw Paul’s words as applying to fellow members in the body of Christ. As odd as it sounds, there are some church members who give willingly to local food banks and homeless shelters for people they do not know, but fail to look around in their own congregation to see who they might help as their brother or sister in Christ.

Then Pelagius feels that believers should help provide services for others as long as they don’t neglect their own affairs for the sake of Christ. Practicing hospitality has been part of what God’s children have been doing from the beginning. Look at Abraham and Lot who even invited guests to come in who were reluctant to stay.¹⁴ And Bishop Theodoret notes that Paul is not just talking about being hospitable to saints, but also those, no matter who they may be or where they may come from, who are in any kind of need.¹⁵ Today, we often see this practiced when believers invite church visitors, their pastor, and family, or members they know who are disadvantaged, out for lunch after church is over. No matter what manner it may be practiced in, such hospitality should be shown only out of love, otherwise, it loses all the power that love can bring to such an act of kindness.

To understand this directive from Paul in its historical context, we must be aware that back when Paul wrote these words, anyone who identified themselves as a Christian, and then through disease, death of a spouse, or financial disaster found themselves in need of assistance, they could not depend upon either their fellow Jews or Gentiles to come to their rescue. So it was incumbent upon the church to be there for them in the time of need. That’s why Paul emphasizes that they were to focus on God’s people with their hospitality.

Martin Luther sees it in similar fashion. For him, those who are indifferent to the needs of afflicted believers are guilty of being against this command. For Luther, Paul is speaking here of those believers that needed help because they had suffered persecution and were deprived of all their possessions. But Luther said that in his day such saints were hard to find. Therefore, their needs were unknown. However, there are those who are oppressed by both society and the devil. Christians, therefore, must be available to them to provide help and comfort, to prevent them from suffering injustice. Luther continues by touching on Christian hospitality. He points out that today we often give or refuse hospitality to other believers without being aware of it. It must be remembered that when the Apostle speaks of hospitality. It is help and assistance that is offered gratis and out of love, without any expectation of payment. And Christians should be aware that even nonbelievers practice hospitality among themselves.¹⁶

John Calvin also speaks to this need for Christians to look out for each other. He notices that Paul returns to the power of love. One of the chief expressions is to do good to those from whom we expect the least recompense. But often, among those for whom this ministry is meant to bring help, are some who are despised because the people consider any help given to them will be wasted. But Paul feels that God recommends them to us as a way of learning. All we are being asked to do is prove that our love is genuine. Giving to such people as those for whom it seems wasted, is still an act of kindness.

Surely the rich man in Jesus’ parable thought that giving anything to the beggar Lazarus who lay at the gate of his estate was a waste of time and money. But the rich man could not see past the life Lazarus had in this life to the life that awaited him in Abraham’s arms. This then makes hospitality a very effective attribute of love. This is especially true when kindness and generosity are shown towards foreigners, runaways, travelers, and the homeless. For the most part, they are hurting the worst because of being so far away from home and friends. That’s why, the more neglected or shunned anyone is by others, the more attentive we ought to be to their wants.¹⁷

Adam Clarke takes for granted that Christians should be sensitive to the needs of those among them, not only in local congregations but in those who may be far away. But he also sees the need for believers to understand Paul’s emphasis here on hospitality, especially to strangers. This was a very needed virtue in times past when hotels and inns were exceedingly scarce. In Paul’s day, he as well as many other Apostles were considered itinerants preachers. And in many cases, Christians were fleeing from persecution and death threats. Of all people on earth, this virtue should be high on the list for those who call themselves followers of Christ.

This is especially true of churches, many of whom have the means of helping a fellow saint in distress. Also, organizing outreaches to those in the cities or towns who need help the most. That’s why Clarke feels that providing for strangers in distress is the proper meaning of the term Paul uses here. It should go well with the spirit of love and compassion that all believers profess to have. He bases this on the two important words in this phrase. First, believers are to respond to “needs” and “necessities,” not wants and wishes. Secondly, of the “saints,” meaning fellow believers. And thirdly, fellow believers who are “strangers” passing through.¹⁸

When it comes to hospitality in our giving, Robert Haldane takes a different approach than some who apply Paul’s teaching on hospitality to social interaction and sociability among neighbors. Real hospitality is hosting and entertaining of strangers far away from home. This was a special ministry during Bible times when inns and hotels were unusual. However, the change of times and customs does not mean we can disregard any of the precepts of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christians, by nature, should be hospitable and host their brethren coming from a long distance. After all, we are family, brothers, and sisters with spiritual mothers and fathers. In fact, Christians should go out of their way in manifesting love for their fellow believers. Did not the writer of Hebrews caution us: “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, by doing so some have hosted strangers without even knowing it.¹⁹”²⁰

NEW TESTAMENT CONTEXTUAL COMMENTARY

Dr. Robert R. Seyda

EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

CHAPTER TWELVE (Lesson XXXIII)

John Calvin also saw the importance of prayer. For him, we might describe it as a form of spiritual hydration. Prayer, like water, allows God to pour in us the needed spiritual moister up to optimum levels. Our body uses water in all its cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate its temperature and maintain other bodily functions. Our body loses water through breathing, sweating, digestion, and elimination. Water does more than just quench our thirst and regulate our body’s temperature; it also keeps the tissues in our body moist. We know how it feels when our eyes, nose, or mouth gets dry. In comparison, we can see how prayer affects our spiritual health.

In fact, Calvin suggested that during times of trouble we schedule regular prayer times so that God can keep us from fainting and becoming depressed, or be broken by adverse events. That’s why Paul not only encourages us to pray but do not let other things get in the way or praying. Little battles may be won, but the war is not over. New conflicts rise daily, and without proper sustenance, even the strongest cannot endure unless they are frequently renewed. This will help up not to grow weary. And the best remedy for a tired soul is an hour of prayer.¹

On the subject of constant prayer, Robert Haldane believes that no Christian can perform their duties without this. It is especially necessary during times of hardship. How can any believer discharge their various duties without looking through the Word and communicating with their heavenly Father for guidance? How else will He make known His will and provide the strength needed for them to carry out their mission? Our Lord’s parable of the unjust judge contains the strongest encouragement to perseverance and persist on getting an answer through prayer.² The Lord commanded His disciples to pray always on account of the power of their spiritual enemies who constantly sought their destruction.

As far as Haldane is concerned, any Christian who undertakes anything without prayer is neglecting their primary duty and not taking advantage given to them as children of God. Who can say they are walking with God when they fail to communicate with the One whose ears are open to the prayers of the righteous? There are occasions when time does not allow much deliberation, and when immediate decisions are critical. But the same way you can drive a car and talk to a friend next to you, we can walk and talk with God at the same time³.⁴

Adam Clarke also encourages an active prayer life. He calls it “Making the most fervent and intense request to the throne of grace for the light and power of the Holy Spirit.” Most believers need all the help they can get to shun evil, do good, love their neighbors, keep hope alive, patiently endure the trials of tribulation, and deal with the afflictions of life. Since God has His arm outstretched and His hand open to us, why not take hold of Him so He can take hold of us?⁵ Albert Barnes calls it patient prayer.⁶ For him, Paul’s directions are this: that in order to discharge the duties given us as Christians while maintaining a joyful hope and being sustained in the midst of afflictions, it is necessary to actually cherish going to God in prayer so that we feel closer to Him.⁷

Then Barnes feels that there are several rules to guide us in the direction we should go. First, we should not “wait” to find time to pray, but “take” time to pray. It doesn’t have to be in church or even on one’s knees. God’s ear is open to us at any time, anyplace, whether we are with others or alone with Him. Secondly, don’t expect it to be easy, or even possible, to maintain a vibrant Christian life without a daily habit of contacting God in prayer. Thirdly, no believer should start their day without stopping to thank God for the opportunity to live for Him and serve Him that day before they go out into a world in turmoil to do their duties, face trials, and deal with temptations that are sure to meet them. Fourthly, beside thanking Him for His covering on the way to work and back home again, and bowing one’s head to say grace over their meal, no day should be allowed to end without stopping to thank Him for His protection, provisions, and providence, but most of all, that you love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind. And fifthly, there are few things that can add any super-charge to prayer than to combine it with Scripture. Even a devotional guide could well provide the inspiration needed. It goes without saying that during times of anxiety and perplexity, in moments of despondency, in times of danger, and want, coping with disappointments, and in the loss of loved ones, we will feel the need of drawing near to God, and of pouring out our heart before Him. But prayer doesn’t always need to wait until that happens.⁸

Barnes then repeats the lyrics from a hymn sung back in his time:

“In every joy that crowns my day,

In every pain I bear.

My heart will find delight in praise,

Or seek relief in prayer.

“When gladness brings my favored hour,

Your love my thoughts will fill,

Resigned when storms of sorrow cower,

My soul will meet your will.

“My lifted eye, without a tear.

The gathering storm will see.

My steadfast heart will know no fear,

My heart at peace in thee.”⁹

Charles Spurgeon preached that joy and patience have healing properties, but they must be taken with a glass full of prayer so they will be wonderfully efficient. Spurgeon wonders how anyone can “rejoice in hope” if they know nothing about prayer to the God who gives hope? Whenever the light of hope begins to dim and the sunshine of joy starts to fade, the way to get them shining again is going to our knees in prayer. Let the Spirit remind us that hope can be sustained through prayer, then joy is sure to brighten again.¹⁰

Karl Barth continues his exposition of this section by commenting on prayer. Before, he said that trials and tribulations were an ethical issue, but here he calls prayer an ethical activity. For some, prayer is a primary act of worship which presupposes later action. But it can also be a secondary act of worship which requires that we put in action what we are praying for. To make this clearer, as a primary act of worship we pray to God giving thanks and praise for His kindness, grace, love, and mercy to us. But as a secondary act of worship, we pray to God for strength to show kindness, grace, love, and mercy to others.

Barth continues by pointing out that it is hard to imagine living as we do in a world of misery and often feeling oppressed without calling on God for grace and mercy. When we read the hymns of the Psalmists we see where they saw things as they really were, and in their misery cried out unto God for help. So is it beneath us do otherwise than submit ourselves to Him, our merciful and compassionate God? Who would not want God to continue to be their God? The sight of a band of praying Christians is an uncomfortable sight to the doubters of this world. The energy of prayer presses into their minds the probability that there may be a prayer-answering God. Some consider the action of praying men and women to be an intrusion into their world. When that happens, then prayer can also become an ethical issue. But it is an issue for them, not for the praying believer.

However, when prayer becomes persistent, then questions may begin to arise as to why Christians seem to be constantly engaged in praying to God. Only when it persists and prevails does prayer become an ethical action. When Paul said we should continue in prayer he was not referring to a great number of prayers, but of believers holding firm to the direction and purpose of their prayers. It means that those who are insistent on praying are seeking something that they feel is part of God’s will and worthy of prayer. Sometimes, such intense prayer goes from the groaning of our spirit to the groaning of the Holy Spirit interceding for us to our Mediator in order to reach the heart of God¹¹.¹²

But we must not let ourselves be misled by how we pray, when we pray, or why we pray. Prayer is basically communication in which we express gratitude, praise, requests, joy, need for help or assistance, etc. Therefore, this communication can be done through praying, singing, meditating, verbally or non-verbally, physically or spiritually. Even listening to praise and worship music or listening to a taped or broadcast sermon or testimony gets us thinking and letting the indwelling Spirit take our thoughts and inspiration to God as a way of thanking Him for His Word.

Verse 13: Take time to assist God’s people who need help. Practice being hospitable.

Paul continues with another proactive admonition. Giving has always been one of the most prominent hallmarks of Christian communities. Countless charities, hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters, and food banks were spawned by Christians. But Paul makes sure that the believers in Rome knew that charity begins at home. What would you think of a father who earned a reputation around town for being a generous man who spent a great amount of time and money feeding and clothing the poor children in his neighborhood, but it was discovered that he did nothing for his own kids?

The Psalmist made it clear: “How blessed are those who care for the poor! When calamity comes, Adonai will save them,”¹³ but not at the expense of his own family. Paul no doubt knew that there were many in Rome who had converted to Christianity that was rejected and shunned by their families, especially among the Jews. So he encouraged the church leadership there to look out for and take care of them as much as possible. As he wrote this, perhaps Paul remembered what he told the leaders from Ephesus: “In every way, I showed you that by working hard like this we can help those who are weak.”¹⁴ Paul then notes what the Lord Jesus said, “We are more happy when we give than when we receive. Although this quote of Jesus is not found anywhere in Scripture, the Bible tells us that Jesus did many things that weren’t recorded verbatim.¹⁵ It is obvious that either one of Jesus’ followers told Paul about what Jesus said, or else he learned it from Jesus Himself.¹⁶