Romans 12:9-15 - Exhortations

Paul continued with his thoughts on how believers are to live.

Romans 12:9-15 (KJV)
⁹ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
¹⁰ Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
¹¹ Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
¹³ Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
¹⁴ Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
¹⁵ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Believers are to love truthfully without being artificial (verse 9). They are to hate what is evil and to cling to that which is good. They are to be loving and kind (verse 10). They are to give preference to others. In business believers are not to be lazy (verse 11). They are to serve the Lord fervently in the spirit. They are to rejoice in hope, in the assurance of God's promises and His gospel message (verse 12). Believers are to be patient in trials and tribulation and they are to persevere in prayer. Believers are to provide help with the physical needs of other believers (verse 13). They are to be hospitable. Believers are to bless those that persecute them, to treat their persecutors well and not curse them (verse 14). Finally, believers are to rejoice with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep (verse 15).

Paul's exhortations, straight from Yeshua's heart and the Torah, reflect the life that believers are to live. In summary, Paul urged the believers to be righteous in their personal behavior, to show love to their fellow believers by caring for them and by sympathizing with them. Regarding all men, the believers are to give preference to others rather than themselves and to treat even persecutors with kindness. Ultimately, believers are to be engaged in the work of the Lord, to be patient in tribulation, and to be in prayer continually. These exhortations, although essential, are only accomplished by the help of the Holy Spirit. Stay tuned for part 2!