Romans 12:9-21 “Bless And Do Not Curse””

I want to start today doing what is known as poetical scansion of the text that Mary read from Romans. The Apostle Paul took great pains to write this part of his letter to the Romans in poetry. We do not see it in our texts in the pew Bibles. The translators decided to render the poetry as prose in English. What Paul wrote in the Greek reads in its original language like a fine piece of poetic literature—it is almost like a song that could be sung in the early churches.

Some Biblical scholars have suggested that this poetry from Saint Paul was to be used in the churches as a memory verse. In other words, Christians were perhaps expected to repeat the words in a prayerful fashion from their own memories. The book club is reading the book Remember by Lisa Genova this month; the book confirms that form helps us to remember content! So, let us all look at the poetry that is here to helpus remember today!

What follows in the poem are the ground rules for loving others sincerely in this world. The next three lines tell us to be devoted to one another, to honor others before ourselves and to never stop doing this with great zeal. In other words, just do not say that you are devoted to the ones that you love. Truly show your devotion enthusiastically, passionately, even fervently. Do not just use proper words to imply honor when addressing others, but honor others with your heart and deeds.

Let me share with you a section of writing from The Screwtape Letters by the renowned Christian writer C.S. Lewis. From part 4 of the Letter “The Wisdom of Screwtape on Mutual Annoyance”: In civilized life domestic hatred usually expresses itself by saying things that would appear quite harmless on paper (the words are not offensive) but in such a voice, or at such a moment, that they are not far short of a blow in the face. . .Hence from every quarrel [both people] go away convinced, or very nearly convinced, that they are quite innocent. You know the kind of thing: “Simply ask her what time dinner will be and she flies into a temper.” Once this habit is well established you have the delightful situation of a human saying things with the express purpose of offending and yet having a grievance when offense is taken.

In contrast to what C.S. Lewis shares in his writing, we must always show devotion and honor to others with our words, hearts and deeds because we are called to love others sincerely. Sincere love would never have the purpose in mind of causing through tone of voice or opportune timing offense or grievance against the one whom we love. And, when offense is registered, then great sorrow comes to the one who loves sincerely.

The next two lines in the poem tell us to be joyful in hope and to be patient in affliction. Yes! The meaning of the Greek here is to indeed be joyful, be blessed, and be happy that you have The Hope in your life. Be constant; hold your place; do not digress when the road becomes slippery. Carry on as always when faced with affliction. The English idiom comes to mind: “Never let them see you flinch.” Yes, have that love that is unflinching and filled with joy. Our hope is in knowing Christ in this world and the next.

Moving onto the next line of the poem: “Let yourself then be absorbed in prayers of thanksgiving to God.” And, then out of this thankfulness to God, share your great blessings out of charity that is love, serving others for God!

Verses 14-21 are still in poetic form, but the style changes so that each time an idea is mentioned, the line following it mirrors the idea. This parallel form in semantics is used to strengthen even more the command to love sincerely. What is said is not just said once, but is reinforced with an echo. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” “Rejoice with those who rejoice!” “Mourn with those who mourn.” Be a blessing on another’s life. That is what this is saying. Even if someone is dragging you down and causing you great misery, your call is to love that person sincerely and to bless his or her life. Your call is to create harmony with one another. You are to be God’s grace working in others’ lives. You are to be instruments of God’s redeeming grace. Redeem that other person for God! “If he is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink.”

There is a kind of play on words in the Greek that is happening in verse sixteen that Saint Paul put in. It says in our Bibles, be willing to associate with “people of low position.” There is a text note at the bottom of the page that says “or people willing to do menial work.” There has been confusion on how to translate this because the actual term in Greek refers to one who is being led out to be accused or even executed. The verb in Greek is απαγω. And, this sounds very similar to the verb “to love”: αγαπω. The two consonants just switch places. The only other place in the Bible where this word is used is in Galatians 2:13, where Barnabas is accukksed by Paul of being led astray in hypocrisy. So, it is a very negative term that is associated with the idea of being accused and convicted of something. So, we are to love those who are accused and convicted, who may be led to execution. We are to love, let us say, somebody like Jesus who was accused, convicted, and executed.

If you think of Jesus on the Cross, and imagine yourself there in that moment when he is in so much pain and suffering before his own death, and then read the last lines of Scripture for this morning remembering even to love the one who is led out to be executed, then you see that in loving sincerely lies the key to our own redemption. The crucifixion of the Son of God is the greatest evil. Yet, you are able to love the one who is led out to be executed. You are able to love Jesus in that moment. In this, good triumphs over the greatest evil through the pure sacrifice of God.

To conclude, the victory of the Lord for life over death and our own redemption to the eternal life rests with this idea of loving others sincerely. The triumph of good over evil in this world rests with this idea of loving others sincerely. I can see why Saint Paul took the time and effort to make these words stand out in his Letter to the Romans. I can see why these words might have been memorized outright as a poem or a song that could be repeated anytime anywhere. Christian brothers and sisters, this is our call this morning to love with hope and zeal, to allow the Spirit to enliven the love in our hearts and serve the Lord in love, to never flinch but be filled with joy, and to constantly thank God for His love for us that we may be redeemed. Amen.