What does Paul want to accomplish with the church in Rome and how might that be described? It’s about an attitude first. Therefore, the next section is about this unfeigned love in togetherness. In this way, the measure of faith that God gives to each one of us (Rom 12:3-8) may come to full fruition in each one. It is not about how we demand something of each other, but about how we can encourage each other in a life pleasing to God.

The attitude of love

How we treat each other is shaped by our attitude. The attitude is still not the act, but a prerequisite for it, it should not look like “accidental”. An attitude of love manifests itself in sincere love. Nowhere will this be more evident than in the togetherness of the community. Just as Paul addresses lifestyle in chapter 12, he was first concerned with individuals (Rom 12:1-2), then with fellowship with one another (Rom 12:3-8).

This is what Paul is coming to now:

“Let love be unfeigned!”
Rom 12:9

This is to be read as a heading over the current section. Paul starts right away with the most important thing. The community should first be sustained by an unfeigned love. Elsewhere Paul writes that faith is made effective through love (Gal 5:6). Here in Romans, it is also about effectiveness. Through love, what has meaning is to be lived. Love is an essential characteristic of living faith. Love is the implementation of the gospel. It should be real. Love should be unfeigned.

Negative examples

Hypocrisy speaks of a negative impact. Hypocrisy(Gr. hypokrisis) is not an exception in religious circles. Jesus already pointed this out when he saw grievances among the religious groups of his time:

“But I say to you … Consequently, when you give alms, do not sound the trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be glorified by men.”
Mt 6:2. See also Mt 6:5 and Mt 6:16.

The hypocrites do something, but not with right intention. They do it so that they themselves may be glorified. The focus is not on the person in need, but on themselves. You seek honor from other people. Hypocrisy ultimately hides from the real encounter and sets viewers on a false trail. There is a contradiction between inner attitude and way of life.

Hypocrisy hides in the last consequence from the real encounter.

Jesus also addresses the hypocrites directly:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You resemble whitewashed tombs, which appear beautifully decorated on the outside, but inside they are filled with dead men’s bones and all impurity. So you also appear righteous to men on the outside, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Mt 23,27-28

How to stay fully human

Hypocrisy, however, is also inherent in human beings in general. Paul writes to Timothy about the times to come:

“But the Spirit expressly says that in the times to come some will fall away from the faith because they pay attention to misleading spirits and teachings of demons. Such have by hypocrisy in lying words scorched their own conscience as with a branding iron; they forbid to marry and command to renounce foods that God created to be taken with thanksgiving by the faithful…”
1Tim 4:1-3

He who is hypocritical commits mischief with his own conscience. They would “scour their own conscience as with a branding iron,” the apostle writes. Hypocrisy makes you insensitive. Or in other words, compassion suffers, empathy. That is why the first thing in today’s passage is: “Let love be unfeigned”. So that we remain fully human. So that we do not prevent our faith from becoming active and effective.

Effectiveness of love

Love becomes effective through clear actions:

“Be such as abhor evil and cling to good!
In brotherly friendship be warmly attached to one another
Respecting each other more highly in reverence
unhesitant in diligence
in the spirit fervently
Serving the master as slaves
in anticipation joyful
persevering in tribulation
persisting in prayer
Contributing to the needs of the saints
chasing hospitality”
Romans 12:9-13

All these things can only be implemented through daily decisions. This is quite practical. By far, however, it is not only about social commitment. Can other elements be read from the list here? What is it about? How and where does our faith prove itself?

Deepening

• From Adolf Heller comes the statement (in my words): “Love is the decision to communion”. Discuss.
• How is love different from feeling? And where do they overlap?
• How does love become effective?
• Where should theology lead? What is the task of doctrine and theology with regard to the way of life? Reason.