Sharing Around the Table

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Having encouraged disciples to live for Christ, Paul outlines a series of actions that represents a Christ-centered lifestyle. His writing moves from teaching to strongly urging the Roman Christians to take specific actions. Taken as a whole, this passage represents a kind of Christian “to do” and “do not do” lists reminiscent of the Ten Commandments.

Love. This love does not refer to sentiment or romantic attachment; it means wanting the best and highest good for someone else, with no strings attached. Hating what is evil includes refusing to take part in evil around you as well as speaking and acting peacefully against that evil.

Faith. Enthusiasm, zeal, and an ardent spirit are characteristics of faith that steadfastly serve God. That faith allows Christians to rejoice in hope and endure suffering patiently. It promotes a strong prayer life and eventually leads to giving generously to other church members and offering hospitality to strangers.

Compassion. Compassion means “feeling with” another, whether they are rejoicing or weeping. God weeps with those who weep and finds joy with those who rejoice. Christians are called to do the same.

Harmony and Peace. Reject arrogance and arrogant behavior, which serve the individual at the expense of the community. Instead, associate with and be in solidarity with the humble. Do humble tasks, always open to learning more.

Christians are called to be peacemakers and renounce vindictiveness. Vengeance and judgment are the domain of God alone. Humans who dare to seek revenge themselves are grabbing the power and authority of the Divine.

Paul sums up his teachings by urging all disciples to meet their enemies’ needs willingly. Loving, generous actions can overcome evil with good and bring about transformation.

Christians are called to invest in God’s overpowering force of goodness, mercy, and grace, with Christ as the model. These appeals for Christ-centered living are the ethical imperatives set in being “like-minded” with Jesus Christ and in the Christian community.

1. When have you experienced true compassion, wanting the best and highest good for someone else?

2. What does it mean to love your enemies in your world today?

3. How are you investing in goodness, mercy, and grace?