The Sunday School

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 26, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 33.

The Sunday School

International Series.

LESSON XI.—SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1897.

CHRISTIAN LIVING.

NOTE.—This letter was written near the close of Paul's third missionary journey, as he was about to return to Jerusalem from Corinth with contributions for the poor at that place, and was sent by Phebe, “a servant of the church at Cenchrea.” Nero was emperor of Rome at this time, A.D. 58. About three years after the writing of this epistle Paul was taken to Rome, having appealed to Cæsar during his trial before Festus.

Lesson Scripture, Rom. 12:9-21, R. V.

9 “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing steadfastly in prayer; communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink; 21 for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Golden Text.—“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What is necessary to true Christian love? Verse 9. Note 1. (2) How should the Christian conduct himself toward that which is evil? (3) Toward that which is good? (4) How will true conversion affect one's deportment toward his fellows? Verse 10. (5) What will this lead them to do one for another? (6) What three admonitions are given in verse 11? Note 2. (7) What will the hope of the Christian lead him to do? Verse 12. (8) How should he conduct himself during trials? Same verse. Note 3. (9) Through what comes his power to do this? Same verse. (10) How will he act toward the needy? Verse 13. (11) What will be characteristic of him in this regard? Same verse. Note 4. (12) How will the Christian conduct himself toward those who persecute him? Verse 14. Note 5. (13) How will he show his interest in others, their joys and sorrows? Verse 15. (14) What exhortation does the apostle use to prevent dissensions in the church? Verse 16. Note 6. (15) How does he discourage a selfish ambition? Same verse. (16) To do this what will be necessary in regard to one's estimate of himself? Same verse. (17) How is he to conduct himself toward those who wrong him? Verse 17. Note 7. (18) How should he plan his conduct before all? Same verse. (19) What is his duty among men? Verse 18. (20) When wronged, how will he conduct himself? Verse 19. (21) Who only has authority to mete out vengeance? Same verse. (22) How will the Christian conduct himself toward his enemies? Verse 20. (23) What will be the result to the evil-doer? Same verse. (24) How does the apostle conclude his instruction to the followers of Christ in regard to their relations with their fellow-men? Verse 21.

NOTES.

1. Let love be without hypocrisy.—A man can be a hypocrite toward man as well as toward his Maker. A hypocrite is one who feigns to be what he is not that he may be regarded worthy of the character which he simulates. The apostle urges sincere love, not mere politeness. The honest man will not profess to have what he does not in reality have, even though such profession is pleasing to his listeners. If you love the brethren, say so; if you do not, pray for conversion.

2. Not slothful.—“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” The opinion of the world is worthy of consideration in one thing, and that is, the effect upon our lives of the religion which we profess. Many may be turned away from a favorable consideration of the claims of Christianity by the slothful lives of those who profess to have it. The industrious, “fervent” Christian is a sermon in life, and is often read with good results by the world around him.

3. Patient in tribulation.—The word tribulation is from the Latin word “tribulum,” the instrument with which the Romans separated the grain from the husks. So the trials and adversities of this life are called by the apostle tribulations, the instruments which separate in the Christian’s character the wheat from the chaff, and prepare him for the garner above. In other words, they are the sculptor’s chisel which hews our character to the image of the character of Christ.

4. Given to hospitality.—Literally, “pursuing hospitality,” making it a business, a characteristic. The word in the original conveys the idea of seeking the opportunity to be hospitable. We are “not to wait for those that shall ask it, and see when they will come to us, but to run to them, and be given to finding them.”

5. Bless, and curse not.—This is almost a quotation from the Sermon on the Mount. Matt. 5:44. It is also in perfect harmony with that remarkable saying of Christ in Matt. 7:12. Paul had had abundant opportunity to practise this Christian virtue, as well as to watch its operation in others; for he had given others opportunity to exercise it toward him, and later had been bitterly persecuted by those who had formerly given him authority to persecute others. If we exercise toward those who oppress us the same feelings which they exercise toward us, we have lost our opportunity of doing them good, and in addition are slipping back ourselves along the way which we had climbed. We have lost our foothold and are in grave danger of falling.

6. Be of the same mind.—This is only one of a number of similar exhortations of the apostle, that the church might be free from discord and present a solid front to the enemy. The soldiers who wrangle among themselves when the battle is on are losing half their power to withstand the onslaught of the foe. Read 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 2:2; 3:16. For the members of the church to be of one mind, its individual members must surrender their wills to the will of Christ, and their minds to the mind of Christ. Each having his mind, they all have one mind, and must be “like-minded.”

7. Evil for evil.—This prohibition is also taught by the life of the Saviour, “who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously.” 1 Peter 2:23. “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing; but contrariwise blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9. Read also Matt. 5:44, 45; 1 Thess. 5:15, and Prov. 20:22.