We must never lose sight of our hope of things in the future that God has promised us. This will help us persevere in tribulation (cf. Romans 5:3-4). Prayer is our great resource whenever we feel stress and strain (cf. Philippians 4:6-7). Note the same progression from hope to perseverance to prayer in Romans 8:24-27. We should not just pray, but we should be devoted to prayer (cf. Acts 1:14). [1] It should have high priority in our lives. Frequent attendance at prayer meetings is one indication of devotion to prayer. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Romans 12:9-21 - Living As A Christian
In this section the Apostle shows how the great principle of consecration must affect the details of conduct. It is most necessary to insist on these practical issues. At some impressive religious convention, where the vision of a surrendered and transfigured life is presented, sensitive souls are led to make the vows and claim the plane of life which have been presented; but on their return to the commonplaces, there is no perceptible improvement in their speech, or tone, or attitude. This induces shame and contempt. Hence the great wisdom of the Apostle's particular teaching in this and the following chapters.
The lumbering wagon must be hitched to a star. We must not be star-gazers only. God has endowed us with faith as the receptive faculty, through which we may receive His blessed help. In the power of the Holy Spirit let us set ourselves to our common tasks, thinking humbly and soberly of ourselves, lovingly of our associates, and reverently of God. We are inspired to fulfill the obligations of our position, whether in giving money or in teaching the ignorant; whether in showing mercy or in exercising authority, because all is done as under the eye of the great Master of the household. [source]
Chapter Summary: Romans 12
1God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves 3No man must think too well of himself; 6but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed 9Love, and many other duties are required of us 19Revenge is especially forbidden
Greek Commentary for Romans 12:12
Patient in tribulation [τηι τλιπσει υπομενοντες] So soon this virtue became a mark of the Christians. [source]
Continuing instant [προσκαρτεροῦντες] Compare Acts 1:4; Acts 6:4. Rev., steadfastly for instant, which has lost its original sense of urgent (Latin, instare to press upon ). Thus Latimer: “I preached at the instant request of a curate.” Compare A.V., Luke 7:4; Acts 26:7. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 12:12
Luke 7:4They besought him instantly [παρεκάλουν σπουδαίως] On besought, see on Luke 6:24. Instantly, which commonly means at once, is used in its older meaning, pressingly, from the Latin instare, to urge or press upon. So Romans 12:12, “instant in prayer.” Wyc., prayed busily. [source]
Luke 23:23They were instant [ἐπέκειντο] Instant, in the sense of urgent, pressing. See on Luke 7:4. Compare Romans 12:12; 2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 7:4; Acts 26:7. The verb means to lie upon, and answers to our vulgarism, to lay one's self down to work. Compare Aristophanes, “Knights,” 253: κἀπικείμενος βόα , roar with all your might. Lit., roar, lying down to it. [source]
Acts 1:14Continued [ἦσαν προσκαρτεροῦντες] Participle and finite verb, as above. The verb is from καρτερὸς strong, stanch, and means originally to persist obstinately in. In this sense here, and in Romans 12:12; Romans 13:6. Hence to adhere firmly to. So in Mark 3:9, “that a small ship should wait on him; ” i.e., keep near at hand. The idea of steady persistence is supplied by the Rev., steadfastly. [source]
2 Timothy 4:2Be instant [ἐπίστηθι] Better, be ready. Once in Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5:3. Frequent in Luke and Acts. Lit. stand by, be at hand, be present. To come suddenly upon, Luke 2:38. Hence, be ready. Instant signifies urgent, importunate, persevering. Lat. instare to press upon. Thus Latimer, “I preached at the instant request of a curate.” So N.T., Romans 12:12, “Continuing instant in prayer.” [source]
What do the individual words in Romans 12:12 mean?
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: προσκαρτερέω
Sense: to adhere to one, be his adherent, to be devoted or constant to one.
What are the major concepts related to Romans 12:12?
Greek Commentary for Romans 12:12
So soon this virtue became a mark of the Christians. [source]
Compare Acts 1:4; Acts 6:4. Rev., steadfastly for instant, which has lost its original sense of urgent (Latin, instare to press upon ). Thus Latimer: “I preached at the instant request of a curate.” Compare A.V., Luke 7:4; Acts 26:7. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 12:12
On besought, see on Luke 6:24. Instantly, which commonly means at once, is used in its older meaning, pressingly, from the Latin instare, to urge or press upon. So Romans 12:12, “instant in prayer.” Wyc., prayed busily. [source]
Instant, in the sense of urgent, pressing. See on Luke 7:4. Compare Romans 12:12; 2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 7:4; Acts 26:7. The verb means to lie upon, and answers to our vulgarism, to lay one's self down to work. Compare Aristophanes, “Knights,” 253: κἀπικείμενος βόα , roar with all your might. Lit., roar, lying down to it. [source]
Participle and finite verb, as above. The verb is from καρτερὸς strong, stanch, and means originally to persist obstinately in. In this sense here, and in Romans 12:12; Romans 13:6. Hence to adhere firmly to. So in Mark 3:9, “that a small ship should wait on him; ” i.e., keep near at hand. The idea of steady persistence is supplied by the Rev., steadfastly. [source]
The same word as continuing steadfastly in Romans 12:12. [source]
See on Acts 1:14. Compare Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46; Acts 6:4; Romans 12:12; Romans 13:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Rev., correctly, continue steadfastly. [source]
Comp. Romans href="/desk/?q=ro+12:12&sr=1">Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2. [source]
Better, be ready. Once in Paul, 1 Thessalonians 5:3. Frequent in Luke and Acts. Lit. stand by, be at hand, be present. To come suddenly upon, Luke 2:38. Hence, be ready. Instant signifies urgent, importunate, persevering. Lat. instare to press upon. Thus Latimer, “I preached at the instant request of a curate.” So N.T., Romans 12:12, “Continuing instant in prayer.” [source]