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Hello again. Have you been finding treasure in Romans 12 these past few weeks? I can’t wait to show you what I’ve discovered!

Last Week’s Work

REPETITION

Though I know several concepts are mentioned repeatedly in this chapter, I’m feeling drawn to just two of them:

• Think appears three times in v3: it says the Romans ought not think of themselves more highly than they ought, and they should think with sober judgment. I felt reminded to keep watch over my thoughts, especially those about myself and how I make decisions.
• In three verses, evil appears six times. The Romans should abhor it (v9), not repay those who are evil to them with the same treatment but treat them honorably (v17), and not allow evil to overcome them (v21). I’m grateful for the chapter’s final thought: it’s comforting to realize good can overcome evil!

SPECIAL STATEMENTS: REQUESTS, COMMANDS, PROMISES

The author makes two requests at the beginning of this chapter: that they present their bodies as a living sacrifice (v1) and that they use their gifts according to the grace given (v6). And, toward the end of the chapter, he mentions a couple of promises: [the Lord] will repay (v19), and feeding their enemies when they’re hungry and giving them drinks when they’re thirsty will heap burning coals on [their heads] (v20). I saw this connecting to the command at the beginning of v17 to repay no one evil with evil.

Did you notice commands make up the biggest category of special statements in this chapter? I found 34 of them! The ones I feel the Spirit drawing my attention to most are the six in vv3 and 16, of course:

• [Do] not think of [yourself] more highly than [you] ought to think (v3)
• Think with sober judgment (v3)
• Live in harmony with one another (v16)
• Do not be haughty (v16)
• Associate with the lowly (v16)
• Never be wise in your own sight (v16).

LISTS

I noticed just one list. The seven gifts that differ according to the grace given to us are:

1. Prophecy
2. Service
3. Teaching
4. Exhortation
5. Generous contribution
6. Zealous leadership
7. Cheerful acts of mercy.

Dig-In Challenges

This week, let’s wrap up Step 3 by:

1. PRAYING: As always, start with the prayer we wrote for Step 1.
2. MINING: Read through the passage again looking for comparisons in or related to your focus verses. Look for statements of similarity featuring key words like as and so, a qualitative comparison using more, and/or contrasts.
3. MINING: Next, look for causes or motives by focusing on key words or phrases I call cause connectors. In this study text, look for the connectors for (a synonym of because), and that (where it’s not used as a synonym for which). Then check the text surrounding the connector for an action and the reason or explanation for that action. For example: in the sentence, I went to the store for I was out of milk:
   the action = I went to the store             for [because] the reason = I was out of milk.
   NOTE A: for doesn’t always connect an action and a reason. To determine if it does in this passage, read the sentences containing it replacing for with because. If the new sentence makes sense and means the same as the original, make a note of the action (before for) and its cause (after for).
   NOTE B: that also isn’t always used as a connector. To determine when it is, read the sentence replacing that with so that. If the new sentence makes sense and means the same as the original, make a note of the action (before that) and its cause (after that).
4. MINING: Finally, see if you can find any conditions that trigger action in this narrative, and/or descriptions of how action happens or should happen.
   – For example, does the text say if or when a certain condition exists, some action should or does take place?
   And/or
   – Does the author describe a particular method by which something happens? In other words, does he describe specific action(s) that achieve(s) something (e.g., in Romans 12:1, how does the author recommend the Romans accomplish spiritual worship)?
   Or
   – Does he indicate how action is accomplished more generally by or through attributes or actions (e.g., saved by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8)?
   Finally,
   Does the text include any adverbs (typically words ending in ly) that describe how action happens?

These exercises are more involved, I know, but I’m confident you can do this with the Holy Spirit! Don’t forget to check your How to Dig Into Scripture Ourselves guide, and you can always reach out to me at [email protected] if you have questions.

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