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| − | [[The New Testament]] > [[The Epistle to the Romans]] > [[The Epistle to the Romans 12|Chapter 12]] | + | #REDIRECT [[Romans 12]] |
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| − | | [[Rom 11:31-36|Previous (Rom 11:31-36)]] || || [[Rom 12:6-10|Next (Rom 12:6-10)]]
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| − | == Questions ==
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| − | * ''Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions''
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| − | == Lexical notes ==
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| − | * The Greek word translated as "transformed" is <i>metamorphoo</i> (a cousin of the English word "metamorphosis"), which means to change to another form. The word is rare in the New Testament.
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| − | == Exegesis ==
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| − | * Paul's use of the word <i>metamorphoo</i> ("transformed") in verse 2 may suggest a transformation greater than we can imagine. It is used only three other times in the New Testament: in [[Matt 17:2|Matthew 17:2]] and [[Mark 9:2|Mark 9:2]] to discuss Jesus' change at the Transfiguration, and in [[2 Cor 3:18|2 Corinthians 3:18]] to explain our transformation from glory to glory in the image of God.
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| − | '''Verse 3'''
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| − | "According as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Other translations say it this way, "in accordance with the amount of faith which God has alloted each one of us." Here we have evidence that God is responsible for the amount of faith we have in this life. Similar "predestination" issues were covered in Chapter 9. Understanding God's role in our individual gifts helps us be realistic about them. When we feel responsible for the amount of faith we have, or don't have, we may very well resort to pride, or despair. Pride, if we see ourselves as stronger and more disciplined than those with weaker faith, or despair, if we find it seems impossible achieve the kind of faith we see in some of our fellow saints. Paul reminds us that God has given us our place in this world, along with all of our gifts and weaknesses. For some of us, that means humbling ourselves and accepting our imperfections with honesty. For others, it means accepting that our gifts are not ours, but God's. For others, it means acknowledging that we do have gifts and strengths, and refusing to wallow in insecurity and self-deprecation.
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| − | '''Verse 5'''
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| − | "Becoming like Christ" is one of the great goals of every Saint. However, here on earth, that goal seems hopelessly lofty. Paul gives us a way to achieve that goal. Individually, we cannot become like Christ, but collectively, we become the "body of Christ." Every member has a different gift and mission, and working together, we become like Christ. The idea of the collective is very important in Christianity, either as a family, or as a church. We cannot be saved alone. If we are saved, we must be saved together, in families and congregations. Our individual lack is perfectly compatible within
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| − | the Body of Christ, because others will have the strengths that we lack. We too will be able to pick up the slack when we have certain gifts that others lack.
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| − | == Related links ==
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| − | * ''Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links''
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| − | ----
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| − | {|
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| − | | [[Rom 11:31-36|Previous (Rom 11:31-36)]] || || [[Rom 12:6-10|Next (Rom 12:6-10)]]
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| − | |}
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