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Week 2: A life of love, sacrifice, and submission

Week 2: A life of love, sacrifice, and submission. Chapters 12-14

  • Brief introduction about St. Paul

    • Roman Citizen: Born a Roman citizen, enabling safe travel and legal protection.

    • Greek education: Born in Tarsus, major center of Greek learning, exposure to Greek philosophy.

    • Jewish heritage: Adhering to Jewish law and traditions and studied under Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem

    • 1st Journey (44 AD, 2 years):

      • Asia Minor (Turkey), with Barnabus and St. Mark.

      • After this journey, a council is held among the apostles and elders of the church in Jerusalem to determine that the gentile converts need not submit to the Law of Moses regarding circumcision.

    • 2nd Journey (51 AD, 3 years):

      • Mainly in Macedonia (Greece), with Silas and Luke.

      • 2 Epistles: 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

    • 3rd Journey (54 AD, 4 years):

      • Asia minor and Macedonia

      • 4 Epistles: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians.

    • 4th Journey (Rome):

      • 8 Epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, Hebrews.

    • The Lord said to him: "I will send you far from here to the Gentiles" (Acts 22:21)

    • Unmarried: “For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that." 1 Corinth 7:7

    • His early preparation for ministry

    • Missionary trips

    • St. Paul wrote 14 epistles out of the 27 books in the New Testament.

    • Known as the Apostle of the Gentiles

    • Received 4 crowns: martyrdom, purity, apostleship, and righteousness.



  • Introduction:

    • Author: St. Paul

    • Written to: believers in Rome

    • Time of writing:

      • 58 AD in Corinth, before Paul’s visit to Rome in 62 AD

    • Purpose of the book

      • The need for all people, Jews or Gentiles, to be justified by Christ.

      • How a person can obtain justification and its blessings in life.

      • The rejection of faith by many Jews is temporary, but some will return to faith in Christ after the Gentiles accept the faith.

      • Basic teachings for practical Christian living.

      • Care for those weak in faith and encourage them

  • Outline

    • The apostolic blessing and encouragement of the believers (Chapter 1).

    • The need for all humanity to be justified by Christ, how they can receive it, and its blessings (Chapters 2–8).

    • God chose the Gentiles just as He did to the Jews, who rejected Him but they will repent at the end of days (Chapters 9–11).

    • Practical commandments for Christian behavior (Chapters 12–15).

    • Paul’s fatherly care and his greetings to his beloved friends (Chapter 16).

  • Reading:

    • Chapter 12-14

  • Resources:

  • Key verse:

    • “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. for if we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore we live or die, we are the Lord's." Romans 14:7-7

  • Comments: Chapter 12

    • Sanctifying the Body and Mind for a Spiritual Life with God (Romans 12:1-2)

      • We should offer our bodies and minds to God and do everything for the glory of God, while sacrificing and rejecting every desire that contradicts God's commandments.

      • We should not confirm to the ways of the world.

        • The world behaviors and habits are against God's commandments.

        • Know that while you live in the world your principles are different from it.
        • Contemplation: If you have been drawn into some improper actions, you need repentance and the renewal of your mind, so that you may live for the love of God.

    • Types of gifts in the Church (Romans 12: 3:8)

      • The work of service is fundamentally based on trust in God's work, regardless of human limitations.
      • God is a God of order—He established the members of His Church like parts of one body, each with a distinct role and function, different yet complementary. The gifts given to each member are meant for serving others, not for personal pride.
        • Prophecy: Speaking God's truth with faith.
        • Service: Helping and serving others.
        • Teaching: Explaining the word of God
        • Exhortation: Encouraging and strengthening others.
        • Leadership: Administration
        • Mercy: Showing compassion with Joy

    • Virtues in the Christian community (Romans 12:9-21):

        • Sincere love: Genuine love without hypocrisy

        • Rejecting evil: Hating what is evil and cling to what is good
        • Caring for one another
        • Serving the Lord with enthusiasm
        • Joyful, patience, and prayer
        • Sharing with those in need and welcoming them
        • Blessing your enemies
        • Empathy: rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep
        • Humility
        • Avoiding retaliation: Not repaying evil with evil but overcoming it with good.
      • Contemplation: We are called to acquire all these virtues to truly become a children of God.

    • Duties of a Christian Toward Society (Romans 13:1-7)

      • Submission to authority: We are called to submit to authority because they are established by God. Those who resist authority, resist God
      • Respect for rulers: We are called to respect our leaders
      • Obey the law: We are called to obey the laws unless they contradict God's commands.
      • Living peacefully: We are called to live peacefully and responsibly
    • Loving everyone (Romans 13:8-10)
      • Universal Love – Christian love is not limited to friends or fellow believers but extends to all people, reflecting God’s love for the world.
      • If you have fallen into many sins and struggled to resist sin, know that the easiest path is to love everyone.
    • Repent now before time runs out (Romans 13: 11-14)
      • We must reject sinful behaviors and walk in the light of Christ.
      • Put on the Armor of God
        • Ask yourself: Would I commit this sin if people could see me now? And the more important question: Can I commit this sin while God is watching me now?"
    • Accepting the weak in faith (Romans 14:1-12)
      • We should welcome those who are weak in faith without judgment
      • Avoid argument over personal and non essential matters
      • We Live for the Lord – "For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord" (Romans 14:7-8)
    • Do not cause others to stumble (Romans 14:13-23)
      • As children of God, we need to be careful with our actions.
      • For example, (If your father of confession gave you absolution to eat specific food during fasting) don't eat non fasting food in front of others
      • Avoid gossiping and making others to fall into sin
      • Avoid cursing or using hurtful words
      • Don't lie or encouraging others to lie

  2. Review/recap questions

     ** Servant may add more questions

  1. Homework

     ** Servant may add more questions

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