Our experiences color the way we think about the church. Instead of God’s Word shaping our thinking, we often find that ‘Uncle Frank’s rant’ about the church or the ‘war-zone’ that masqueraded as a church, sticks more in our minds than Scripture. Unless we’ve taken the time to work through the many passages that shed light on the church then we likely bring a conglomeration of ideas—some biblical, some not—to the circle of the church. Even when we study the Scripture, we may cut-and-paste our own preferences in place of biblical revelation. All of this affects the way we relate to one another in the church.
One inappropriate mentality often showed up in the early churches I was part of. Church people were to show a certain air of having arrived. They were the ones who had their act together: no problems, no brokenness in their lives, no issues other than Aunt Susie having gall bladder surgery. No one talked about struggling with sin; no one asked for prayer for her lost child or parent; no one breathed a word about the convicting work of the Spirit. Instead all were to act as though they had no care in the world. Church services became the place to promote oneself as being on top of the world.
But that was not reality. Broken people walked through the door and broken people left, with no healing through the gospel and the ministry of the body of Christ in sight. Though there were a few exceptions, most were satisfied to maintain the façade of Christianity while at church and then return to living the rest of the week as though the body of Christ meant nothing, except on Sundays. Little ministry to one another took place.
Then you read through the book of Acts! What a different look compared to what I witnessed. The church “continually devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to breaking of breaking and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). They had all things in common. If one had a need, someone else would seek to meet it (2:45). They could not stay away from fellowshipping with each other! “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people” (2:46-47a). When their leaders were jailed for the gospel, they gathered and intensely prayed. They worshiped together, confessed Christ together, and prayed together for boldness to speak the gospel with confidence (4:23-41). They gave sacrificially together, focusing on kingdom work above their own desires (4:32-37). They rejoiced together, even when suffering for the gospel (5:40-42).
I know what you’re thinking. ‘That’s great but we’re not living in ancient Jerusalem in the 1st century. We just cannot duplicate what they had going on.’ I do not disagree with you—at least for the most part. As we read through the book of Acts and keep in mind what we gather from the Epistles, some of the dynamic of those early days of the church were unique. Yet the essence of what they did: fellowship, prayer, worship, rejoicing, giving, meeting one another’s needs, exhorting one another, supporting one another, caring for one another, constitute the very essence of ongoing body life for the church in every generation. What we have as our goal is not to duplicate the amazing practice of the first few months of the church but, instead, we are to take seriously the exhortations for body life declared in Scripture. The church is not kept guessing how it is to live in relationship to one another. That is spelled out clearly in Scripture. But we do have to chip off the barnacles that have grown into our thinking over the years, coloring our thoughts of the body of Christ with unnecessary shades. How do we live with each other in the body? That’s our concern in these verses.
Verses 9-11 outlined the practice of love in the church. We considered love without hypocrisy as the foundation for the rest of our actions toward each other. Loving one another without hypocrisy leads to the practical discernment of abhorring what is evil and clinging to what is good. That also leads to family affection—being devoted to one another in brotherly love. Service in the body is not optional. We’re called to diligent zeal in service. Five exhortations (in four points) remain in the next two verses with each helping to refocus our attention on how to live as the body of Christ.
Christians, though of various personalities and backgrounds, share a common hope in Christ, and with it, a similar disposition. Of all people in the world, none should compare with the joy that Christians know because of the provisions of Christ in the gospel. “Rejoicing in hope,” refocuses the attention of believers on all that is ours in Christ.
“Hope” has nothing to do with wishing or wishful thinking. It is resolute; definite; certain. It is that which is absolute yet not fully experienced. It lies just ahead—again, not in a wishful way of gearing your mind to believe something that is not sure, in order to convince yourself that things will get better! Biblical hope rests on the certainties of what Jesus has accomplished and promised. It will suffice our understanding to see how Paul used the word in Romans. In 5:2, “hope of the glory of God” is something we exult in or rejoice over or become visibly and vocally elated over. Hope matures us as it re-centers our lives away from the temporal, fading fancies of the world, to anticipate the unveiling of everything secured by Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection. This hope, tested by the demands of life, matures us (5:4). And it does not disappoint us! Hope is directly tied to the gift of the indwelling Spirit who radiates and effuses within us the love of God (5:5).
Hope is also found in the created order, as “the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now,” waiting to be freed from the curse of the fall (8:20-22). Consequently, Paul explains hope as the substance of our full salvation—the redemption of our bodies, total deliverance from even the trace of sin, and perfection before the face of Jesus Christ. Hope means that we’re waiting for the final delivery! “For in hope we have been saved, for hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?” (8:24) Then Paul adds, “But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it,” (8:25) in other words, the substance of what is yet to come for believers motivates us to keep pressing on in the faith. This hope not only motivates perseverance but the more we persevere, and the more we dig into the promises in the Word, the stronger our hope in Christ and His promises become: “so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (15:4). By the indwelling Spirit, we abound in hope! (15:13)
How does this affect the church? It redirects our thinking and worldview to Christ and the gospel. All of us have particular ways of thinking. We have an inward template that frames our thoughts and actions. Hope changes the template to focus on Christ, the gospel, His accomplishments, and promises. This moves our attention away from the instability of the world to the certainties that are in Christ. Hope in Christ washes away despair and discouragement since hope buoys the spirit—it does not disappoint. The whole demeanor and tone in our relationships changes when buoyed by hope in Christ since the focus is on “rejoicing in hope,” instead of complaining and carping. Such hope sustains us in living and in dying—and everything in-between, since our lives do not depend on the government or employer or good fortune but rather on Christ alone.
This kind of transition in our thinking and rejoicing affects our worship and praise with a new exuberance and delight. It changes our conversations so that they are sprinkled with hope that inevitably shows joy. It affects our witness since there is a natural contagion toward those who know the disposition of joy over those who are quite naturally sour. Rejoicing in hope gives new motivation in our service toward one another, since anticipation of all that Christ has promised spurs us to serve those with whom we will spend eternity.
As Westerners, we naturally think of tribulation happening to other people and in other eras. Yet that’s neither reality nor the meaning of the term. “Persevering in tribulation,” speaks to the broad issues of life. The word (thlipsis) means pressure or to be squeezed or what we might express colloquially, “caught in the vice.” It’s typically the external pressure that affects you inwardly. It can be caused by sin (Rom 2:9), so that it brings on pressure by the evil we get into. It can be anything that gets in the way of our faithfulness to Christ; anything that presses us so that it is difficult to go forward spiritually. That’s why Paul says it is that which calls for perseverance (5:3). It may be something that attempts to severe us from Christ (8:35). Paul knew it as the kind of excessive burden that spent his strength and even caused him to despair of life (2 Cor 1:8-9). It’s the afflictions of life due to the presence of sin in the world, the weakness of the flesh, and mankind’s enmity with God (2 Cor 6:4-5). Paul spoke of the Macedonian church who were in “a great ordeal of affliction,” which might have been due to persecution that mushroomed into economic hardship (2 Cor 8:2). It is “not some minor pinprick, but deep and serious trouble” [L. Morris, The Epistle to the Romans, 447].
Jesus told us, “In the world you have tribulation” (John 16:33). So how will you face tribulation as it comes your way? The question is even larger. How will we corporately face the tribulation that is part of this life? Jesus finished that statement by say, “But take courage; I have overcome the world.” Tribulation is certain for us. It comes in an array of shapes, sizes, and colors. For some it is the threat of bodily harm for living as a Christian. For others, it is the opposition of spouse or children against your faith in Christ. For others, it is the lure of the world to compromise your faith in Christ. For some it is the daily vexation of worldliness pounding away at you. For all it is “this world centered,” and so we must join with Paul in weighing it against the eternal weight of glory to be revealed to us (2 Cor 4:17).
So how are we to handle tribulation, however it comes? Like Elijah, we are to “gird up our loins” to run the race of faith. Paul uses a present participle to describe the ongoing practice of “persevering in tribulation.” In short, it means pressing on, unflappable due to the trials, pressures, and ordeals of life; unstoppable in faithfulness as a Christian; and bearing up and enduring even when the weight is great, knowing that the far weightier weight of glory lies ahead. Leon Morris points out that it means, “remain instead of fleeing . . . stand one’s ground, hold out, endure in trouble, affliction, persecution” [Romans, 447, quoting BAGD]. Who, in Scripture, did that? We might consider a number of examples but, chiefly, our example is Jesus Christ. As He faced the cross, for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despised the shame, and took His seat at the right hand of the Father. We are told to “consider Him who endured such hostility of sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb 12:2-3). We find encouragement to persevere in the face of tribulation by seeing how Jesus Christ persevered when facing the full weight of God’s wrath on our behalf.
Do you struggle with perseverance or consistency in the Christian life? Spend much time reading the Gospels. See how Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, the Creator in the flesh endured constant hostility, threats, ill-tempers, slander, misrepresentation, and ultimately, the cross. Meditate on what He did on your behalf. Let that sink in, feed your soul, give you courage, and then press on!
Perseverance is no optional feature of Christianity that you might consider if things get really bad. If you are not persevering in the little things then why do you think you will persevere if we have all-out persecution for our faith in Christ? Even the disciplining hand of the Lord in our lives is to develop perseverance in the faith (Heb 12:7). And why is that the case? Jesus declared to His followers (and that includes us), “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved” (Matt 10:22; 24:13). Perseverance is evidence of grace, evidence of genuineness. Tom Nettles rightly stated, “Through the window that perseverance provides into the grace of God, one sees whether a person’s repentance and faith have been prompted by the fright of the moment or by the sovereign effectual working of the Spirit” [By His Grace and For His Glory, rev. exp., 360].
We learn profitable lessons in tribulations, which in themselves, give motivation to persevere. (1) We learn about ourselves. Tribulations expose the way we think, often bringing attitudes of the heart to the surface that we were unaware lurked within. (2) We learn about the way the world really is in antagonism against God. (3) We learn about people and the effects of the fall upon humanity. (4) We learn to sympathize and empathize with others. Those who have suffered have much stronger empathies with those presently walking along the same journey. (5) Tribulations educate us, which is why the Psalmist could pray, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (Psa 119:71). (6) Tribulations make us think more of heaven and eternity [adapted from M. Lloyd-Jones, Romans: Exposition of Chapter 12—Christian Conduct, 398-400].
It seems rather natural after addressing persevering in tribulation that Paul turns to prayer! “Devoted to prayer,” calls for busying ourselves in prayer [BAGD]. We hold fast to prayer; we persevere in prayer; we give attention to faithfulness in prayer. Out of the ten times the word “devoted” is used in the New Testament, half of them relate specifically to prayer. The word was used in Mark 3:9 of a boat that was to “stand ready” for Jesus while the crowd pressed toward Him. That’s a good picture of devotion to prayer. He was not always standing in the boat but it stood ready for Him to step in at a moment. Devotion to prayer is like that. It is not that we pray 24/7. But when we are in fellowship with the Lord, when we regularly spend time in prayer, then at a moment’s notice, the little boat of prayer stands ready to take us into the presence of the Father.
The early disciples were continually devoting themselves to prayer in the Upper Room as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14). Likewise, as the Spirit came in power and several thousand came to faith in Christ, the new church demonstrated devotedness to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and to prayer (2:42). The apostles intended to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word, so they called upon the church to appoint seven men to handle the other tasks that weighed on them so that they could be devoted to the prayer and the Word (6:1-4). The word was also used to express someone who is focused on something, serious-minded, even abandoned toward a particular pursuit (10:7; Rom 13:6). Paul told the Colossians, “Devote yourselves to prayer” (4:2).
Devotion to anything is not easily done. It requires discipline. It may tax our strength. It may demand rearranging schedule and adjusting our regular pattern. If we would be devoted to prayer, so that it is more than just asking God’s blessing on our food or offering a hurried little prayer as we put our heads on the pillow at night, we will have to endure excuses, distractions, and interruptions. Brethren, this is one of the most demanding of disciplines! Yet it is also one of the most rewarding. You can count on being interrupted if you set aside time to pray. Something will happen! So you must press on. Carve out time in your daily routine to be alone with the Father in prayer. Commune with Him. Confess your sins. Offer thanksgiving to Him for His multiplied kindnesses shown to you. Praise Him for His faithfulness, holiness, goodness, and kindness. Ask for His provisions for your day; wisdom for daily demands; strength to be faithful; open doors for the gospel; integrity in your walk. Pray for your family, for your church family, too. Pray for the work of global missions. Pray for other churches and their leaders. Pray for the unbelieving. Pray for our nation and its desperate need of the gospel. We never run out of things to pray for! That is why we must have the little boat of prayer standing ready for us so that at any moment, we might slip into it and commune with the Father.
I am intentionally combining the two exhortations in verse 13. James Montgomery Boice made the very good point that the Greek text combines the ideas: “In regard to the need of the saints, participating, practicing hospitality” [Romans: The New Humanity, vol. 4, 1603]. “Contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” We could also translate it, “Participating in the saints’ needs, pursuing hospitality.” Believers throughout the Roman Empire faced needs. Paul has in mind all believers by the use of “the saints,” or the holy ones. The word had no connotation so common today, as only a few rare individuals being titled as saints. Every Christian was a saint. That’s how Paul addressed the Romans, “to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints” (1:7). He did the same with the Ephesian, Philippian, and Colossian believers. The church, though filled with sinners is, by the grace of God, home to the saints!
These saints encountered different needs. Some faced poverty due to their faith. Times were hard for others: famines, drought, disease, and other needs faced the saints. Many were dispersed from their homes to travel to Rome or other large cities in hope of finding work, and squeezing out a living. They would need lodging, food, and a kind welcome. In such setting, Paul called for participating in the needs of the saints and pursuing hospitality toward them. “Contributing” is the verbal form of koinonia, to fellowship with or to share in. In this case, it means more than just tossing a little money to a need. It calls for participation, involvement, and engagement. Paul uses the same word in 15:27, “For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things,” referring to the way the Macedonians and Corinthians had committed to help out the brethren in Jerusalem. They had shared spiritually; now they shared materially. It’s the same term used in the great section on Christian giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9, translated as “participation” and “contribution.”
Here’s the point: Christians are to be conscientious when it comes to the needs of the brethren and to seek ways to participate in their needs. Sometimes it is money that is needed; other times it is a hand in a task; still other times the need is one of presence more than money. In our text, the primary focus is on Christian benevolence, seeing need among the brethren and seeking to meet it. In a broader fashion, the principle is used to include Paul’s missionary work and support, as well as supporting the local ministry of the church (e.g. 1 Cor 16:1; Gal 6:6; Php 4:15; Heb 13:16).
Where does hospitality fit in? That’s another one of the needs in which believers’ participate. Since the only inns or lodging places in those days had notorious reputations, traveling missionaries or relocating Christians had few decent offerings for places to stay. The church had the opportunity to assist by “practicing hospitality.” Practicing is actually much stronger. It is pursuing hospitality; looking for ways to be hospitable. Hospitality literally means, ‘fond of strangers,’ implying taking in strangers as guests in the home. Does this mean we are to scour the streets of Memphis to take people into our homes? Prudence is called for! The consistency among commentators and expositors is that this is particularly focused on the saints traveling from their homeland to another city. Those in Rome, with all its visitors, would have plenty of opportunities to pursue hospitality.
We are blessed with some incredibly hospitable members. But maybe some of us have come up short on this end. I would encourage you to pursue someone for whom you might show hospitality. Minister to them around your table, enjoying fellowship in your home. Or maybe you recognize needs with some in the body, and God has provided for you to meet those needs. Participation is called for!
The church takes on a different look when we begin to see what Scripture calls for and then practice it. Instead of focusing on buildings, budgets, programs, and structures, the real focus is two-fold: maintain a steady, joyous walk with Christ; and seek opportunities to minister to others through prayer, participation in their needs, and hospitality. I pointed out the simplicity of these things in our last study, and I do so again. Nothing complicated here—just faithfulness in living as a Christian in the body of Christ. That’s body life!
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