Exegesis of Romans 12: 9- 21
Introduction
The interpretation of roman 12: 9 – 21 is essential as it gives a better view of the phrase “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” most interpretations on this verses have relied on the analysis of love and kindness from the view of the new testament 1 . Arguably, the poems have been interpreted as a message of Paul to Romans in his letter to them.
Statement of the problem
Significantly, the text lacks interpretation in both contexts of the letter and to the world today. Therefore the reason for analyzing this text to offer an in-depth analysis of the love and kindness to everyone and the enemy. There are various descriptions on the word enemy about hatred and resentment to them being evil. The study seeks to create further a better understanding of Paul’s interpretation of loving those that do not do well to people. Significantly, there needs to be a difference between being overcome by evil and overcoming the sin which the previous interpretations lack 2 . Arguably, there is a need to make meaning of the use of love in defeating the darkness.
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In this case, love is regarded as a good thing that people must endeavour to emulate. Additionally, the use of love in this context is as an act of kindness to those who are close to us and those that afflict us. In such a way, love becomes the cure to evil, while evil is the undesired actions of others towards us. Arguably, there is also a need to understand both love and evil in the context of two battling scenarios in the lives of human beings. Significantly, without one, the other fails to exist at all. Therefore, the interpretation must compare them as two opposing sides of the same conversation. Additionally, they both exist now as they did in the past, but the contexts differ significantly.
Methodology
The study will rely on an interpretive analysis of the particular. The study will depend on the reviews of commentaries, journals, scholarly articles as well as the various versions of the text in the issue. The essence is to find out the connections between multiple interpretations as well as the meaning that may have failed to be captured. This literature is essential as it will help in the analysis of various views. The views from different sources in an armchair research are resultant in information that a researcher may not find through other means.
Delimitation
The book of Romans comprises of a one way conversation by Paul to a group of people on various issues about their faith. The context is in line with the teachings of Christ and particularly based on the interpretation by Paul. Therefore, bearing in mind the various issues that the book addresses, this paper is limited to certain parts. The texts include verses 9 to 21 of chapter 12 starting from the interpretation of love by Paul to its relation to kindness to enemies as a way of overcoming evil 3 .
Hebrew text
Affection must be genuine. Hate what is wicked; adhere to what is upright ודבקו בטוב׃ be dedicated to one another in adoration. Love one another more than yourselves. באהבת אחים הראו חבה יתרה ובכבוד הקדימו איש את רעהו׃ . Not ever should you lack zeal, but keep your divine passion, aiding the Lord. שקדו ואל תעצלו התלהבו ברוח עבדו את האדון׃ be thrilled in hope, enduring in infirmity, authentic in appeal שמחו בתוחלת סבלו בצרה שקדו על התפלה 4 Segment with the Lord’s people who are in want. Practice kindness; השתתפו בצרכי הקדושים רדפו הכנסת ארחים .
Sanctify those who oppress you; sanctify and do not curse. ברכו את רדפיכם ברכו ואל תקללו׃ Cheer with those who celebrate; lament with those who grieve. שמחו עם השמחים ובכו עם הבכים׃ dwell in accord with one another. Do not be full of pride, but be eager to be comrade with people of low status. Do not be self-important. לב אחד יהי לכלכם אל תהלכו בגדלות כי אם התנהגו עם השפלים אל תהיו חכמים בעיניכם . Do not reimburse anybody evil for wickedness. Be cautious to do what is correct in the eyes of all and sundry. אל תשלמו לאיש רעה תחת רעה דרשו הטוב בעיני כל אדם . If it is imaginable, as far as it depends on you, live in concord with every person אם תוכלו ככל אשר תמצא ידכם היו בשלום עם כל אדם .
Do not take vengeance, my dear friends, but leave opportunity for God’s anger, for it is inscribed: “It is mine to punish; I will recompense,” says the Lord. אל תנקמו נקם ידידי כי אם תנו מקום לרגז כי כתוב לי נקם ושלם אמר יהוה׃ on the dissimilar give nourishment to your enemy and give them water to drink לכן אם רעב שנאך האכילהו לחם ואם צמא השקהו מים כי גחלים אתה חתה על ראשו 5 Do not be overwhelmed by evil, but overcome bad with uprightness. אל נא יכבשך הרע כבוש אתה את הרע בטוב .
Historical context
Significantly, the book of Romans was written by Paul during the wave of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. Paul was a tentmaker living in a Greek city called Corinth and had taken his lessons out of Jerusalem to reach those who were like his initial self 6. So the book addresses the issues of what people should do and what they should practice according to Paul’s understanding of salvation. Additionally, the passage tries to distinguish between the teachings of the old laws of Romans and those found in mosaic laws on treatment to enemies with the teachings of new faith about enemies. Significantly, the romans had differing views in various instances with the people of Corinth. This differences are eviden9t in their laws and also customs practiced by both of them. Paul therefore, through his letters to them tries to contextualize the teachings of Jesus to them by constantly referring to situations such as conflict and kindness and giving actual examples on what kindness is interpreted as. For instance, he refers to a situation where one needs to feed the hungry.
Significantly, as a result of conflict that occurs consistently among romans being “people of the world” Paul tries to speak passionately on interpersonal relations between people and their enemies. Adequately, it is significant to note that Paul himself has failed to show kindness in his past years as a persecutor of Christians. Therefore, this is a candid talk that may be seen from a view of personal experience of a regrettable life. Additionally, Paul writes various epistles to people of different cities. The cities include Thessalonica, Corinth and Rome. These letters have similarities as they outline his mission and belief. Arguably, Paul is a strong contributor to the gospel despite being not among the initial disciples. This fact means that the teachings of this text are from a point of acquired faith that he develops long after the death of Christ.
Literary context
Arguably, Paul concentrated on advising the Romans on the things that were important in their new faith. He was concerned at the time with the genuineness of love by saying that “love must be sincere.” The sincerity of these love was in the sense of the indiscriminate relationship between all people. This kind of sincere love is highly evident in how Paul himself relates to people primarily by choosing to spread the gospel to people who are held with low regard by those seen initially as the followers of the Mosaic Law. This love is what he refers to as sincere and is pure and devoid of self-importance.
Additionally, the passage goes ahead to ask the Romans to love those that hate them, to rejoice with those that are celebrating and mourning with those that are mourning 7 . Arguably, this text may have similar interpretations to the particular audience and today. However, Paul was trying to give the audience advice on how to tolerate those that were persecuting or showing intolerance to the people bearing new faith 8 . While this passage may address a similar topic today, the meaning may be generalized to mean tolerance and kindness to everyone. Significantly, in today’s context, people may see tolerance as an act of putting up with those that hurt us despite the number of times the bad deeds are done to us. In essence, in the eyes of Paul this tolerance to enemies it’s a mark of difference which separates those who are good from those that are bad.
Significantly, this kindness may be to everyone around us, including those that do not deserve such tolerance. In a particular time, overcoming evil may have meant overcoming sin with good deeds. However, in today’s concept, the text may mean overcoming bad intensions by other people by doing the opposite of their intentions and showing kindness. The passage a one-way monologue which does not have an exchange since Paul talks all by himself. Therefore, the text is in the genre of an epistle 9 . This fact means that this passage is within a letter where only the writer communicates.
In this stature, Paul therefore speaks as a teacher or one who understands a higher knowledge than his audience. In actual sense, this text is an instruction to the romans on how they ought to lead their life in the love of Christ. In this view, the way Paul sees love and tolerance may be likened to how Jesus saw these aspects. Hence, the teaching is an act of passing the practices of Jesus which according to Paul are pure and unquestionable. That makes the actions he teaches to be presumed as the best.
Additionally, the reading involves the use of patterns that bring about contrast. For instance, “hate what is evil, cling to what is good.” Additionally, there is a prominent use of anaphora through the repletion of first phrases like “do not” at the beginning of various sentences. This use of anaphora is to ensure emphasis on the words of this text. Essentially, the text clearly emphasizes that there must be avoidance of permissiveness in the life of his audience by way of ensuring that they follow good acts like kindness, tolerance and love which are contrary to evil actions such as hatred and intolerance.
There are various themes in this passage. For instance, there is an emphasis on love which is unconditional whether the other person is good to one or not (Rom 12: 9). The passage insists that people must love others first before or better than themselves (Rom 12: 10). Arguably, the theme of tolerance and justice (Romans 12: 19). The most significant words in the passage include evil, avenge and hospitality 10 . These words are meant to describe the themes such as love and tolerance by doing acts of kindness such as feeding the hungry. Additionally, affliction and avenge have been used to bring out the intended theme of justice where vengeance is left for God (romans 12: 19).
Importantly, the other hand, the author of the passage is keen it create emphasis with his phrases. Where he creates a problem, the author emphasizes the solution. When he says bless those that persecute one, the phrase that follows emphasizes that one must bless and not curse (Romans 12: 14). There is also an inclusion of an antithesis 11 . This device is meant to create an emphasis through contrasting words. This device is in use when the author tells romans to rejoice with those that rejoice and also that they mourn with people who mourn (Romans 12: 15). The words rejoice and mourn have contrasting meanings.
Intertextuality and theological context.
Significantly, there are different uses and presentations of this particular passage in various other texts. The focus is primarily on how to treat other people, especially our enemies. For instance, in the Old Testament, Solomon says that if one's enemy is hungry or thirsty, they must be given food and water to drink 12 . By so doing one places a heap of hot coal on the head of the enemy (Proverbs 25: 21- 22). The passage adds that only God will reward. Arguably, this meaning is what Paul tries to explain to the Romans. On the other hand, the Old Testament analyses kindness and love to those who deserve. This analysis is through the assertion that if you open your hands, then you satisfy the wants of every creature in the world (Psalm 145: 16). Additionally, the New Testament points out that those who love those that love them only gain nothing (Luke 6: 32- 33).
Significantly, this particular passage is useful in analyzing the relationship between people and those that do not hold them with regard. It alludes to the sincerity of involvement in the society without having to reciprocate what other people give necessarily. The emphasis of this text is that the only way to achieve peace and justice is to leave the vengeance to a higher power rather than trying to pursue justice. In essence, the passage insists that by showing love, tolerance and kindness to one's enemies, one can disarm them. Significantly, there are various other texts in the bible which lay emphasis on love which is unconditional and beyond self. For instance, Jesus in his teachings emphasizes that people must love those that are around them. Jesus points out that love is the greatest of all commandments hence people must we devour to love their neighbors just as they love themselves (mark 12: 30-31). Despite this text being a little different from how Paul brings it out, love is freely given and without limits or reservations. The difference is however in the emphasis of one loving others than themselves which Paul in the letter appeals to the romans. However, there is clarity in both messages.
The text is applicable in various instances, even today. For example, when one is continuously challenged and treated unjustly, there is a reason to move on in their lives without paying back. The text applies in such a situation as it is against fighting back when one is fought by those who are against them 13 . Therefore in this situation, it becomes only prudent to show love to those treating one with brutality. Additionally, the book of Deuteronomy also gives an opinion that is similar to that of Paul. Arguably, the writer of this book emphasizes that people must avoid avenging for themselves. This one is an Old Testament book appears to contrast the various occasions in the Old Testament stories where violence was repaid with violence. The writer asserts that God says that he alone will take vengeance on behalf of his people. Thus, people must ensure they do not take revenge (Deuteronomy 32: 35). Primarily, this view relates to that of Paul seen in the Romans 12:17-19, where he asks the Romans not to pay evil deeds with evil deeds. In a similar fashion to that of Deuteronomy, Paul says that room should be left for the anger of God. “It is written that it is mine to repay, so the Lord says” (Romans: 12:19). The two texts do not say that there should not necessarily be vengeance. Still, instead they emphasize whose responsibility it is to avenge and definitely from both contexts, the trust does not lie with anyone but the spiritual authority.
Significantly, concerning hating evil, the message is also emphasized by Psalm 97: 10. David, who is the writer of this book, advises that people must ensure that they hate evil and do well. The text is in line with the message that evil must be hated by all means for it is displeasure to God. In his letter, King David says that God protects those that hate and avoid evil and gives them safety from the wicked. This view is what Paul tries to emphasize when he asks the Romans to cling to good by doing what is evil. On his part, David in psalms says that God rewards those that avoid evil through defending them 14 ( Yu, 2019 ). However, on the other side, Paul says that the compensation is to triumph over evil which offers more satisfaction. Never the less, the message in both texts is the same.
Essentially, in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, the writer of the letter tells the Thessalonians never to stop being prayerful. This message relates to the letter to the Romans, where they are reminded that they must be faithful in prayer. Both letters create proper emphasis on being prayerful, which is brought out as the solution to affliction. There is a reminder that one should be joyful in everything that they do, whether in pain or not.Additionally, in the New Testament, the message of joy and prayer is brought out in the letter to Philippians 4: 4- 7. This text indicates the importance of prayer by asking the believers to tell God of all their problems in prayer 15 (klein, 2018). In essence, this message is the exact information Paul gives to the Romans when he asks them to be patient in affliction and have hope and faithfulness in prayer. The Old Testament mainly models the best treatment for those that hate one. David shows kindness to Hanun, who is one of his enemies. As he sends people to destroy ammonites, David tells his ambassadors to be kind to this man for the sake of his father. Despite the difference in how David treats his enemies with war, he still shows kindness to one who hates him. Primarily, this relates directly to the teachings of Jesus and Paul in the Romans text.
The Old Testament is also keen to add that we should feed those that are hungry so that our light may shine from darkness (Isaiah 58: 10 - 12). This text asserts that sharing is worth emulating and hence by give food to the poor one becomes a light to other people. This act is an act of goodness which, according to Isaiah overcomes ‘darkness’ 16 ( Orozco, 2019 ). Darkness may mean evil which is what Paul also tries to speak against. Hence, in this manner, the two texts relate to emphasizing the theme of kindness and doing good rather than evil. Further, the Old Testament corroborates the teaching when Solomon says that men should not deny a thief food if he steals to satisfy himself (Proverbs 6: 30). In essence, Paul writes that one ought to ensure that they give food to the hungry enemies 17 (carter, 2019). In the context of the book of proverbs, the thief is an enemy who causes affliction.
Conclusion
Therefore, the passage represents an epistle that talks about the need for unconditional genuine love. This affection is unbounded by the evil that others may do against one. Despite the bad things that the enemies do, the epistle reminds the romans to love and treat them with kindness. Additionally, this text portrays good deeds as the weapon against evil since good overcomes wickedness. The texts seeks to develop the theme of love which is in action. This teachings on kindness and tolerance are seen in various other books in the bible in both the old and the New Testament.
Reference
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Longenecker, Richard N. The epistle to the Romans . Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2016.
Orozco, Joshue. "Forgiveness, Hope, and Loving Our Enemies." The Philosophy of Forgiveness–Volume IV: Christian Perspectives on Forgiveness (2019): 59.
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