Introduction:
Paul has just told us about living in the church. The primary action word for living in the church is love. We are to love each other – our brothers and sisters in Christ in helpful, practical ways.
In verses 14-21, Paul extends who we are to demonstrate love to to those outside the church and especially to those to harm us, do evil to us, or treat us as enemies.
“Living in peace.” What do you picture when you hear those words?
Two commands define content of this passage:
1. Romans 12:16 (ESV)
Live with one another.
ESV glosses over the repeated word “to think”. Literally: “Think the same thing with each other” (BDAG: be in agreement, live in harmony) and “do not think arrogantly”
REB: Live in agreement with one another
KJV: Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things…
NASB95: Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind
ESV, CSB, NIV, RSV, NLT, NET, ISV: Live in harmony…
2. Romans 12:18 (ESV)
If possible, so far as it depends on you, with all.
Mark 9:50 (ESV)
Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
Hebrews 12:14 (ESV)
These commands tells us what Paul is speaking about in this passage. He is going to do more than tell us how to live in harmony and peace, but he is going to tell us how two can do so..
Paul reveals four peace robbers and four harmony builders
Four Peace Robbers
Peace Robber #1: someone us, 14
Let them rob: them
Refuse to let them rob: them
Blessing includes asking God to bless them and speaking kindly to them.
Luke 6:28 – the command of Jesus
Matthew 5:44 – the teaching of Jesus
1 Peter 2:23 – the example of Jesus
Proverbs 15:1 and Proverbs 15:18 – the wisdom of this command: potential benefits of blessing rather than cursing
Peace Robber #2: someone does evil to us, 17
Let them rob: evil for the evil done
Refuse to let them rob: repay, instead do what is
1 Thessalonians 5:15 (ESV) – almost the same words in one of Paul’s earliest epistles.
Peace Robber #3: someone harms us, mistreats us, etc, 19-20
Let them rob you:
Refuse to let them rob you: leave vengeance up to , treat them with and instead.
Luke 6:27 – Jesus’ command
Proverbs 20:22 – This is an Old Testament idea
1 Peter 2:12 – the possibility of changing someone’s heart by doing good
Peace Robber #4: evil multiplies against us, 21
Let them rob you: by the evil
Refuse to let them rob you: overcome the evil .
Four harmony builders
Live in harmony, 16
1. Harmony builder #1: with those who rejoice, 15
2. Harmony builder #2: with those who weep, 15
Chrysostom famously said, “It is easier to weep with those who weep than to rejoice with those that rejoice, because nature itself prompts the former [weeping], but envy stands in the way of the latter [rejoicing],”
3. Harmony builder #3: Don’t be to associate with people, 16
NLT: Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
4. Harmony builder #4: Don’t think too much of yourself, 16
NLT: Don’t think you know it all.
Isaiah 5:21
Proverbs 3:7
Proverbs 26:12
CONCLUSION
God’s children are to seek to live in harmony and in peace. There are many things that try to rob a Christian of peace, but these can be overcome, and peace can be maintained. We can also work to build deeper harmony with others through four simple directions.
Self-test: are you living in peace with everyone you can?
Is there anyone you are not at peace with?
If so, what can you do you do to pursue peace with that person?
Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”