Romans 12:13-16 - Bless those who persecute you

12:13

We are to share with one another, especially the Lord’s people. Paul says the same in Galatians 6:10, “let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”. Now this does not mean we should not have concern for those outside the church, not at all, but we are to look after each other. We are also to pracise hospitality. All this is linked to the non-self centeredness of the Christian life. God takes our focus off ourselves and puts it on to Him and on to other people.

12:14

Jesus told us to love our enemies (Matt 5:44) and so does Paul, this is further argument against those who claim Jesus and Paul present “different Christianities”. Elsewhere Paul tells us that we do not use the weapons that the world uses (2 Cor 10:4). Living by the Spirit and by grace is completely different in so many ways. We rely on the Spirit rather than our own strength, and we act and react in different ways. So if we are persecuted, and in Paul’s time it was a matter of when rather than if, we bless them rather than cursing.

12:15,16

We empathise with others. If someone is rejoicing we share in their joy, if someone is mourning we share in their sadness. This is all part of not being self-centered. It is also part of living in harmony. If we believe someone understands us and cares for us we are more likely to live in harmony with them. While there are some confrontations that need to be had, and Paul was willing to confront when he had to, our default position should be to look for harmony. A body that is at war with itself is not a healthy one.

Pride is a great obstacle to living in harmony with each other. And we must not consider ourselves better than others. In all societies there are various levels or classes, whether formal or not. In the church these levels and barriers should not exist. We are all equal in Christ, equally sinners, equally forgiven. “people of low position” can be translated “willing to do menial work”. Whatever the correct translation is, both are true. We should not have a high opinion of ourselves.