Tag: Romans

Not of Faith

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Romans 14:21-23 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. Has thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows. And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. 

‘It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak.’ It is better to deny self to personal pleasures than to cause brethren to apostatize (Matt. 18:6-10; 1Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-31).

‘Eat flesh’ meat is permitted to be eaten and we cannot tell others to not eat meat and only vegetables (14:2, 14-17; Col. 2:14-17; 1Tim. 4:1-6).

‘Wine’ the word “wine” is used for all kinds of drinks – even the grape juice when it is still in the cluster (Isa. 65:8). Hence, it does not always refer to intoxicating drinks. They should be left alone in view of the law against drinking alcohol (1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; etc.).

‘Nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles’ – not only doubtful things that are mentioned, but anything not listed which causes another to apostatize and be lost must be laid aside.

‘Stumbles’ [Greek: proskopto] to strike the foot against; to err from the truth (Jas. 5:19-20). Beat upon (until the thing is destroyed, Matt. 7:27); dash against (Matt. 4:6; Luke 4:11); stumble (John 11:9-10; Rom. 9:32; 14:21; 1Pet. 2:8).

‘Offended’ [Greek: skandalizo] to offend. It is used generally in the New Testament of total apostasy from Christ (Matt. 5:29-30; 11:6; 13:21, 57; 15:12; 17:27; 18:6-9; 24:10; 26:31-33; Mark 4:17; 6:3; 9:42-47; 14:27-29; Luke 7:23; 17:2; John 6:61; 16:1; Rom. 14:21; 1Cor. 8:13; 2Cor. 11:29).

‘Weak’ [Greek: astheneo] strengthless; without power to distinguish sufficiently between right and wrong, good and evil, or lawful and unlawful.

‘Has thou faith?’ The last question in Romans. The word faith here means the full persuasion that one is right, lawful, and sanctioned by God in this act.

‘Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows.’ Do not condemn yourself over anything not specifically forbidden in Scripture by plain command. Do not permit your conscience to be swayed by wrong religious background or constant religious turmoil over doubtful things.

‘For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.’ Anything done to violate the faith principle by which one is saved, and by which he lives (1:17; Heb. 10:38), is sin. One must know beyond all doubt or hesitation in his mind that what he allows is in perfect accord with the Word of God before he acts.

A Stumblingblock

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Romans 14:13-20 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteems any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walk thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serve Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offence. 

‘Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died’ this proves that a brother can be destroyed by another Christian. If not, this is all very needless language.

‘For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.’ The kingdom of God does not consist of meat, drink, and outward religion. It consists of three things here: Righteousness (3:21-31; 4:1-25; 8:4); peace (2:10; 5:1; 8:6; 10:15); joy (5:11; Gal. 5:22; 1Pet. 1:8).

‘For he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.’ Any man who has righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit has three other great blessings: He is a servant of Christ, he is acceptable with God and he is approved by people.

‘Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.’ In order to have the blessings of Romans 14:17-18, we must follow whatever brings them about. All bickering over meats, drinks, sabbaths, and nonessential things must be stopped and that which edifies others must be taught.

‘For meat destroy not the work of God’ what could be clearer than this – that meat itself does not destroy God’s work? It is the bickering over meats and doubtful things which destroy the soul and liberty in using them may also cause an ignorant man to apostatize (14:13-15, 14:20-21; 1Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-31). ‘All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offence’ – all edible things (allowed under clean animals and nothing poisonous) are pure and lawful, but they become sinful to the man who eats with offense and with a defiled conscience. When erroneous, the conscience should be instructed, won over by proper knowledge and truth and not forced to do something contrary to its own knowledge and feelings regarding doubtful things (1Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-31; 1Jn. 1:7; 2Pet. 1:4-10; 3:18).

Judge Not

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Romans 14:4-7 Who are thou that judge another man’s servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. 

‘One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike.’ No particular sabbath is commanded in the New Testament The Law of Moses has been abolished, including the Jewish sabbath. Reasons that the fourth commandment was left out: Neither God nor Christ made it a part of the new covenant. If they had it would be somewhere in the New Testament as the other nine are. Of all the words of Jesus on earth only four references are made of the sabbath (Matt. 12:8; 24:20; Mark 2:27-28; Luke 6:5). He merely taught that it was lawful to do good on this day and that no day is lord of man. He did not once command any particular observance of any definite day. The old Jews sabbath was part of the contract between God and Israel and a token and sign of that covenant (Ex. 20:8-11; 31:13-18; Ezek. 20:12-20). The contract was not made with men before Moses (Deut. 5:2-3), or with Gentiles and the body of Christ (2:14; Deut. 4:7-10). The sabbath was not for them. The fourth commandment was the only one of the ten that was a ceremonial, not a moral law. Its sole purpose was to commemorate the deliverance from Egyptian bondage when Israel had no rest (Deut. 5:15). It was only a type of future and eternal rest (Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 4:1-11; 10:1). It was natural for it to be left out of the new contract when the reality of rest came of which it was a shadow (Matt. 11:28-29; Col. 2:14-17). The physical and spiritual benefits of a rest day can be realized on any other day as well as on Saturday. The fourth commandment was the only one that could degenerate into a mere form without affecting the morals of men. All others concern moral obligations of men. It is the only one of the ten that could be done away with and still leave a moral law for men God foretold and promised He would do away with the old Jewish sabbath (Hos. 2:11; Isa. 1:10-15). The prophets predicted that God would abolish the old and make a new covenant (Isa. 42:6; 49:8; 59:21; Jer. 31:13-40; 32:37-44; Ezek. 36:24-38). That is referred to in the New Testament is clear in Romans 11:25-29; Hebrews 8:8-12; 10:16-18; Matthew 26:28. In no passage is it stated that men should keep the Jewish sabbath to commemorate the old creation rest. It was to commemorate deliverance from Egypt (Deut. 5:15). This was what they were to “remember” (Ex. 20:8). It is the only commandment that could be and has been broken without breaking a moral law. Israel marched on that day (Num. 33:3; Lev. 23:5-11; Jos. 6:12-16); set up the tabernacle (Ex. 40:1, 40:17 with Lev. 23:5-11); searched Canaan (Num. 13:25); and made war (1Kin. 20:29; 2Kin. 3:9; Jos. 6:12-16). David and others broke it and were blameless (Matt. 12:2-5). The New Testament permits Christians to keep any day as the sabbath, it being one of the doubtful things not covered by commandment in the new covenant (14:1-13; Gal. 4:9-11; Col. 2:14-17). The day early Christians observed – not by commandment but by choice – was the first day, Sunday (John 20:1, 19; 1Cor. 16:2).

Doubtful Disputations

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Romans 14:1-3 Him that is weak in the faith receive you, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believes that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eats herbs. Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and let not him which eats not judge him that eats: for God has received him. 

‘Weak’ [Greek: astheneo] weak or strengthless in faith. Welcome such into your fellowship, but let all controversies concerning doubtful practices be avoided.

‘One believes that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eats herbs.’ One believes … another believes: Eight great sources of controversy: What to eat and drink (14:2-6, 14-23; Col. 2:14-17; 1Tim. 4:1-6); with whom to eat (Acts 11:3; 1Cor. 5:9-12; 2Thess. 3:7-13; Jude 1:12); where to eat (1Cor. 8:4-13; 10:15-23; 11:17-22); where to buy meat (1Cor. 10:25); what day to keep as the sabbath (14:5-6; Gal. 4:9-11; Col. 2:14-17); whether to be circumcised or not (Acts 15:1-24; Rom. 4:11; 1Cor. 7:19); whether to keep the Law of Moses or not (Acts 15:1) and what to wear and what customs to observe (1Cor. 11:4-16; 1Tim. 2:9-11; 1Pet. 3:3-4).

‘Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and let not him which eats not judge him that eats: for God hath received him.’ Duties of Christians in view of nonessential scruples among believers: Fellowship with each other in spite of personal differences of opinion (14:1). Do not despise each other (14:3) and do not judge each other (14:3-13). Recognize that each man is God’s servant and personally responsible to God for what he allows himself to do, aside from what is forbidden to all (14:4). Recognize that no man will fall who conscientiously follows God and the light he has received (14:4; 1Jn. 1:7). Judge no man as to the rest-day he keeps (14:5-6; Gal. 4:9-11; Col. 2:14-17) and judge none about allowable eats and drinks (14:2-6, 13-23; Col. 2:14-17; 1Tim. 4:1-6; 1Cor. 8:8-13; 10:23-31). Let all live in peace, for the Lord, and for each other (14:8-9, 13-23; 1Cor. 8:8-13; 10:23-31; 1Pet. 5:1-9). Do not set each other at nought (14:3-4, 10; Gal. 5:14-15; Eph. 4:31-32). Recognize that each man shall give account of himself to God (14:10-12; 2Cor. 5:10; Matt. 12:37; 16:27). Do not cause anyone to stumble (14:13). Demonstrate love by giving up those things that destroy others (14:15; 1Cor. 8:8-13; 10:23-31). Do not bring reproach upon Christ by your Christian liberty (14:16-18; 1Cor. 8:8-13; 10:23-31). Follow the things that make peace and edify others instead of making a hobby of meats, drinks, rest-days, circumcision, law-keeping, rituals, dress (non-promiscuous), styles, ornaments, customs, and outward religion-things, which in themselves do not destroy the work of God, and concerning which all people will never perfectly agree (14:19-20; 1Cor. 8:4-13; 10:13-31). Do not use any of the non-essentials to stumble, offend, or make any man weak either by argument or practice (14:21; 1Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-31). Practice your faith before God and do not parade it before others (14:22; 1Cor. 8:9-13; 10:31). Do not condemn yourself over anything not specifically forbidden in Scripture by plain command. Do not permit your conscience to be swayed by wrong religious background or constant religious turmoil over doubtful things (14:22). Do not do anything that is doubtful. If you are not clear on a matter, proceed no further (14:23; 1Cor. 8:7). Bear the weaknesses of others. Tolerate their peculiar and sometimes ridiculous scruples until they become strong (15:1-3; 1Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-31).

Fulfilling the Law through Love

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Romans 13:8-14 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shall not commit adultery, Thou shall not kill, Thou shall not steal, Thou shall not bear false witness, Thou shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself. Love works no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 

‘Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law’ This has nothing to do with owing just debts of money and other material things. It simply expresses the idea that Christians owe to each other mutual love. You are not bound to your brethren to obey them as you are civil rulers, but you are bound to them by love.

When you really love on Godly standards, you will not: Transgress the moral law (13:8, 10); deprive any man of his wife; rob any woman of her virtue; take the life of anyone; hate anyone (13:9 with 1Jn. 3:15); take the property of anyone; rob a man of his good name; covet one thing of another; love only yourself (13:9); work ill toward anyone (13:10).

‘And if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself.’ Any other commandment necessary for a Christian to obey is covered in proper love to one’s neighbour (anyone in close proximity).

‘Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.’ Eight commands for Christians: Cast off the works of darkness; put on the armour of light (13:12); walk decently and well behaved; stop revelling and drinking; quit all immoral living; refrain from quarrelling, contention, and jealousies (13:13); clothe selves with the character of Jesus Christ; make no provision for lust (13:14).

‘Honestly’ [Greek: euschemonos] decently (13:13; 1Cor. 14:40; 1Thess. 4:12). ‘Rioting’ [Greek: komos] revelling (13:13; Gal. 5:21; 1Pet. 4:3). ‘Drunkenness’ [Greek: methe] drunken festivals, generally accompanied with all kinds of unclean singing and abominable sexual acts. ‘Chambering’ [Greek: koite] whoredoms, prostitution, and all kinds of uncleanness. ‘Wantonness’ [Greek: aselgeia] licentiousness, all manner of uncleanness and sexual perversion. Lasciviousness (Mark 7:22; 2Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 1Pet. 4:3; Jude 1:4); wantonness (13:13; 2Pet. 2:18); and filthy (2Pet. 2:7).

‘But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ.’ To be clothed with a person is a Greek phrase signifying to take upon one the interests of another; to enter into his views; and be wholly on his side, imitating him in all things.

‘Flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof’ – the flesh works of Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:21-32; 1Corinthians 6:9-11 and Colossians 3:5-10.

Submission to the Authorities

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Romans 13:2-7 Whosoever therefore resist the power, resist the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shall have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil. Wherefore you must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 

‘Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.’ Whoever sets himself against the plan of God in human government resists God. They who resist will be punished. This comes down to breaking the laws that are there to protect and govern us out of rebellious nature.

‘For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil.’ Here Paul shows the duty of civil rulers. It is not to terrorize people of good deeds, but to punish evil people for sins against society.

‘Will thou then not be afraid of the power?’ Obey the laws of civil government and you will have nothing to fear, providing you have rulers that properly enforce the law.

‘He bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.’ God has delegated authority to defend the good and punish evil, even with capital punishment if required.

‘Not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.’ Obey civil laws, not only to escape punishment but to preserve a clear conscience.

‘For this cause pay you tribute also’ – because civil government and law enforcement officers who execute the laws and defend the community are of God and must be supported, pay your share of taxes (13:6-7).

‘Ministers’ [Greek: leitourgos] public servant (13:6; 15:16; Php. 2:25; Heb. 1:7; 8:2). They are God’s servants to carry on civil government for Him. Even if they are ungodly people and yet faithfully carry out civil responsibility they are to be respected, supported and obeyed on duty.

‘Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.’ Withhold nothing from civil government or its lawful officers that is required of you to pay. Pay taxes, customs, fear, and honour to all people over you in public life.

The Higher Powers

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Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

‘Every soul be subject unto the higher powers’ ten duties of citizens: To be subject to civil government (13:1; Tit. 3:1; 1Pet. 2:13-17); to obey civil rules (13:3; Pro. 24:21); to do good (13:4; Tit. 3:1); to pay taxes (13:1-7; Mat. 22:17-21); to render dues to all people (13:7); to honour civil rulers (13:1-7; Ex. 22:28; Acts 23:5; 1Pet. 2:13-17); to pray for civil rulers (1Tim. 2:1-2); to obey civil laws (13:1-7; Ezra 7:26); not cursing rulers (Eccl. 10:20); to work for peace, not rioting and unrest (12:18). Please remember that current governments are also the rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph. 6:12) and must only be obeyed in civil matters and morals according to the greater good of all on Godly standards. Make sure to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good and abstain from all appearances of evil (1Thess. 5:21-22).

‘Power’ human governments [Greek: exousia] delegated authority. All authorities are ordained [Greek: tasso] appointed or determined of God. That is, in God’s plan He has determined that human governments shall exist to help Him carry on moral government and enforce moral laws. They are appointed by God, but He is not responsible for their acts. If they get out of line of this eternal plan, which they do, He will judge them.

Human governments, therefore, are not founded upon the arbitrary will of God, but upon the needs of humanity in securing their highest good. If in a small family, law and penalties are needed, how much more are they needed in communities, states, and nations? Their purpose was to execute criminals and enforce law and order among people (13:1-6; 1Pet. 2:13-17; Gen. 9:6; Isa. 11:4-9; 65:20; Dan. 2:21; 4:17-25; 5:21). Governments were instituted to govern by force and to punish, not only local and individual criminals but also universal and national criminals. This includes the execution of war to put down criminal nations as well as criminal individuals (13:1-5; 1Pet. 2:13-17; Dan. 2:21; 4:17-25; 5:21). There is no doubt that war is an evil one. It is the greatest catastrophe that can befall human beings. It brings death and destruction, merciless slaughter and butchery, disease and starvation, poverty and ruin in its wake. One has only to think of the havoc that was wrought in various countries, in order to estimate the destructive effects of war. There are, doubtless, people who consider war as something grand and heroic and regard it as something that brings out the best man. But this does not in any way alter the fact that war is a terrible dreadful calamity. The loss of human life is not the only evil consequence of war: many families are left destitute of the support and guidance of their natural heads and are thrown upon an unpitying world in a state of helplessness. The moral effects of war are also most deplorable. Men employed as soldiers commonly become exceedingly profane, and reckless of their conduct. All ongoing wars today are being fought in the name of justice, but it is all about making money and controlling resources. Going to war, or even just by maintaining a superior military force, the companies supplying troops, handling logistics, manufacturing weapons, and developing technology are making hundreds of billions of dollars per year. All paid for by taxes and through taking on the additional national debt.

Condescend to Men of Low Estate

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Romans 12:16-21 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

‘Be of the same mind one toward another’ – live in harmony and of one accord. ‘Mind not high things’ – do not be unlawfully ambitious to be rich and powerful. Do not shun the poor, courting great men.

‘Condescend to men of low estate’ – associate with humble and godly people going through life with as little show and parade as possible.

‘Be not wise in your own conceits’ – do not be conceited and vain. Proverbs 3:7-8 warn us to be not wise in our own eyes, we must fear the LORD, and depart from evil so that we can be in perfect health.

‘Recompense to no man evil for evil’ – never pay back evil for evil to any man. ‘Provide things honest in the sight of all men’ – do not live beyond your means.

‘If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men’ As far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people. That does not mean we compromise to accept and allow others’ sins and evil communications in our lives (1Cor. 15:33; Jas. 3:13; 1Pet. 15, 18; 2:12).

‘Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves’ – let others inflict vengeance. ‘But rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord.’ By the law of sowing and reaping all will be judge according to what they do unto others (Gal. 6:7-8).

‘Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head.’ Quoted from Proverbs 25:21-22. In view of the fact that God was good to you when you were His enemy (5:7-8), you should likewise treat your enemies with goodness. You will thus make them feel a burning sense of shame and by this action, they can be convicted of their sins (John 16:7-11).

‘Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good’ – never let evil get the better of you; get the better of evil by doing good. Seven duties are noted to enemies: To love them (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:27); to bless them (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28); to do good to them (Matt. 5:44); to pray for them (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28); to lend in doing good to them (Luke 6:34-36); to be kind to them (Luke 6:35-36); to be merciful to them (Luke 6:36).

Bless and Curse Not

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

‘Dissimulation’ [Greek: anupokritos] undisguised, a real thing (2Cor. 6:6; 2Tim. 1:5; 1Pet. 1:22). Three blessings of true love: A pure heart (Matt. 5:8); a good conscience; a faith unfeigned or sincere (1Tim. 1:5).

‘Abhor that which is evil’ – hate, detest and loathe all evil.

‘Cleave to that which is good’ – be cemented or glued to the good.

‘Affectioned one to another with brotherly love’ love with brotherly affection. ‘Honour preferring one another’ – be forward to honour others.

‘Slothful in business’ – never be lazy, slothful, and careless with your work or anything or anyone concerning your work. Whatever you do, do all things for God’s glory (1Cor. 10:31).

‘Fervent in spirit’ – maintain zeal to the boiling point.

‘Serving the Lord’ – put your life into service for God whether or not you receive personal gain and applause.

‘Rejoicing in hope’ – let your hope be a joy to you. ‘Patient in tribulation’ – show patience in all your troubles. ‘Continuing instant in prayer’ – live in fervent prayer to God.

‘Distributing to the necessity of saints’ contribution to needy saints. ‘Given to hospitality’ – practice hospitality without socializing (1Cor. 5:9-13; 1Jn. 2:15-17; 2Jn. 1:10-11).

‘Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not’ – bless your habitual persecutors and don’t allow anger, bitterness or revenge to cloud your mind and your actions to sin as well (Eph. 4:26-27, 29-32).

‘Rejoice with them that do rejoice’ – take a lively interest in blessings and prosperity of others without grudging.

‘Weep with them that weep’ – show genuine compassion for others.