I cannot do this again, but I thought I would try it once.
I will try to post this scan for this one time during Blondie's break.
I am not as computer-skilled as some, so I hope it works.
Here's the study article for this week's WT lesson around the
world at the Kingdom Halls (along with a few comments in boxes)-
"RETURN EVIL FOR EVIL TO NO ONE"
Theme text-
"Return evil for evil to no one.Provide fine things in the
sight of all men. "-ROMANS 12:17.
Sounds simple enough, but this box in the center (see below)
will already remind us that JW's do this differently with
fellow believers than they do with unbelievers
Box in center of page states:
Romans chapter 12 describes a Christian's relationship with
. Jehovah
. fellow believers
. unbelievers
1 WHEN a child is shoved by a sibling, usually the child's first reaction
is to shove back. Sadly, such tit-for-tat behavior is not limited to
children. Many adults act similarly. When offended by someone, they want
to get even. Granted, most adults will not give a literal shove, but many
will push back in subtle ways. Perhaps they spread harmful gossip about
the offender or find ways to prevent him from succeeding. Whatever method
is used, the intent is the same-to repay in kind, to retaliate.
They said "tit." What a brave forward-moving group. Snickers for all the
adolescents and many adults.I guess repaying the WTS in kind for all the abuse heaped upon members
would be considered childish by paragraph 1's tone.
1. What type of behavior is not uncommon?
2 Although the urge to get even is deep-seated, true Christians resist
giving in to it. Instead, they strive to follow the apostle Paul's
admonition: "Return evil for evil to no one." (Romans 12:17) What will
motivate us to live according to that high standard? Whom in particular
should we not repay with evil? What benefits will be reaped if we refrain
from getting even? To answer those questions, let us study the context of
Paul's words and see how Romans chapter 12 shows that refraining from
retaliation is the right, the loving, and the modest course to follow.
We will consider these three aspects, one at a time.
"...let us study the context of Paul's words and see how..."
Make sure you don't use outside study material. They are actually saying
"Let us tell you what Paul meant and you just agree."
2. (a) Why do true Christians resist the urge to retaliate?
(b) What questions and which Bible chapter will we consider?
I love the questions like (b) above. They say "See, we are doing deep
research and answering Bible questions." YEAH, the questions WTS tells
you to be asking, along with their answers.
"Consequently I Entreat You"
3 Beginning in chapter 12, Paul considers four related subjects that
affect a Christian's life. He describes our relationship with Jehovah,
with fellow believers, with nonbelievers, and with governmental
authorities. Paul indicates that there is a fundamental reason to
resist wrong inclinations, including the urge to retaliate, when he
states: "Consequently I entreat you by the compassions of God,
brothers." (Romans 12:1) Note the word" consequently' which means
"in view of the foregoing." Paul in effect says, 'In view of what I
just explained to you, I entreat you to do what I will tell you next.'
What had Paul explained to those Christians in Rome?
"Paul considers four related subjects that affect a Christian's life.
He describes our relationship with Jehovah, with fellow believers, with
nonbelievers, and with governmental authorities."
Why did they sneak in #4 without putting it in the box in the middle of
the page (quoted at the beginning of the article)? Could it be that they
didn't want newbies to notice that JW's are instructed to have a particular
relationship with governmental authorities? Hmmmm....
"Paul in effect says, 'In view of what I just explained to you, I entreat
you to do what I will tell you next.' "
WTS must love that quote. Give Paul such authority because the GB is now standing in
the place of Paul- God's representative churning out God's instructions.
4 In the first 11 chapters of his letter, Paul discussed the wonderful
opportunity open to both Jews and Gentiles to become rulers with Christ
in God's Kingdom, a hope that natural Israel failed to accept.
(Romans 11:13-36) That precious privilege became possible only "by the
compassions of God." How should Christians respond to this great
undeserved kindness on God's part? Their hearts should be filled with
such deeply felt gratitude that they would be moved to do what Paul
states next: "Present your bodies a sacrifice living, holy, acceptable
to God, a sacred service with your power of reason." (Romans 12:1) How,
though, could those Christians actually present themselves "a sacrifice"
to God?
"How should Christians respond to this great undeserved kindness on God's part?"
Why couldn't WTS have left that question unanswered? Christians in the room
should be able to determine how they should respond. BUT NO- they TELL you
what your reply to their question should be- same as always.
3, 4. (a) Beginning with Romans chapter 12, what does Paul discuss,
and what is the significance of his use of the word "consequently"?
(b) What effect should God's compassion have had on the Christians in Rome?
Just in case you didn't get the point from the paragraph, (b) reiterates
the WTS directions. "Respond as we tell you, be effected the way we tell you to."
5 Paul goes on to explain: "Quit being fashioned after this system of
things, but qe transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove
to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
(Romans 12:2) Instead of allowing the spirit of the world to shape their
thinking, they needed to make their minds over to Christ's way of thinking.
(1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5) That principle should influence the
day-to-day behavior of all genuine Christians, including us today.
Puh-lease. "...Christ's way of thinking. (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5)
That principle should influence the day-to-day behavior of all genuine Christians,
including us today."
But WTS will tell you how to behave so that you don't have to decide what influence
Christ should have on you today.
5. (a) How can a person offer himself "a sacrifice" to God?
(b) What principle should influence a Christian's behavior?
(b) Are you supposed to think "principle" or "principal" ? Because the first
answer is "the leaders." Parrot your answer from the paragraph, but you should
remember to let the leaders influence your behaviour.
6 How does Paul's reasoning at Romans 12:1, 2 help us? Like those
spirit-anointed Christians in Rome, we are deeply grateful for the
continuing and manifold expressions of compassion that God has given us and
continues to give us every day of our life. Consequently, a heart filled
with gratitude moves us to serve God with all our strength, means, and
abilities. That heartfelt desire also moves us to do-our utmost to think,
not like the world, but like Christ. And having the mind of Christ affects
how we treat others-both fellow believers and nonbelievers. (Galatians 5:25)
A case in point: If we think like Christ,- we are compelled to resist the
urge to retaliate.-l Peter 2:21-23.
Serious cult language in paragraph 6, I must comment.
In Para. 3, was this thought:
Note the word" consequently' which means "in view of the foregoing."
Paul in effect says, 'In view of what I just explained to you, I
entreat you to do what I will tell you next.'
Now they say in para. 6:
Consequently, a heart filled with gratitude moves us to serve God
with all our strength, means, and abilities.So, when we read "consequently" in any WT literature, we are now to
think, "In view of what I just explained to you, I entreat you to do
what I will tell you next."
6. Based on Paul's reasoning found at Romans 12: I, 2, what moves us to avoid retaliating?
"Let Your Love Be Without Hypocrisy"
7 We refrain from returning evil for evil not only because it is the right
course but also because it is the loving course. Note how the apostle Paul
next considers the motive of love. In the book of Romans, Paul uses the word
"love" (a.ga'pe in Greek) several times when referring to God's love and that
of Christ. (Romans 5:5, 8; 8:35, 39) However, in chapter 12, Paul uses a.ga'pe
in a different way- in speaking about love shown to fellow humans. After noting
that spiritual gifts vary and are present among some believers, Paul mentions
a quality that should be cultivated by all Christians. He states: "Let your
love be without hypocrisy." (Romans 12:4-9) Showing love to others is a basic
mark of true Christians. (Mark 12:28-31) Paul exhorts us to make sure that the
love we show as Christians is sincere.
7. What type of love is considered in Romans chapter 12?
8 Further, Paul notes how love without hypocrisy is shown, stating: "Abhor what
is wicked, cling to what is good." (Romans 12:9) "Abhor" and" cling" are strong
words. "Abhor" can be translated "hate exceedingly." We must hate not merely the
consequences of evil but also the evil itself. (Psalm 97:10) The word "cling" is
a translation of a Greek verb that literally means "to glue." A Christian who has
genuine love is so firmly glued, or attached, to the quality of goodness that it
becomes an inseparable part of his personality.
Last sentence above means: A JW must show his genuine love by clinging to anything
the WT says, don't let intelligent (worldly) thinking penetrate your personality.
8. How can we show unhypocritical love?
9 One particular manifestation of love is mentioned by Paul again and again. He
states: "Keep on blessing those who persecute; be blessing and do not be cursing."
"Return evil for evil to no one." "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved." "Do not let
yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good."
(Romans 12:14, 17-19, 21) Paul's words leave no doubt about how we should treat
nonbelievers, even those who oppose us.
Paul's words leave no doubt, but let us tell you what they mean as we go on.
9. What admonition does Paul give again and again?
"Keep On Blessing Those Who Persecute"
10 How do we carry out Paul's exhortation: "Keep on blessing those who persecute"?
(Romans 12:14) Jesus told his followers: "Continue to love your enemies and to pray
for those persecuting you." (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27, 28) Hence, one way in which we
bless persecutors is by praying for them, petitioning God that if any are opposing
us because of ignorance, Jehovah may open their eyes to the truth. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Granted, it may seem strange to ask God to bless a persecutor. However, the more our
mind-set resembles Christ's way of thinking, the more we will be able to extend love
to our enemies. (Luke 23:34) What can be the result of showing such love?
10. In what way can we bless our persecutors?
11 Stephen was one who prayed for his persecutors, and his prayer was not in vain.
Not long after Pentecost 33 C.E., Stephen was arrested by opposers of the Christian
congregation, dragged outside Jerusalem, and stoned. Before he died, he cried out:
"Jehovah, do not charge this sin against them." (Acts 7:58-8:1) One of the men for
whom Stephen prayed that day was Saul, who witnessed and approved of Stephen's murder.
Later, the resurrected Jesus appeared to Saul. That former persecutor became a follower
of Christ and went on to become the apostle Paul, the writer of the letter to the Romans.
(Acts 26: 12-18) In line with Stephen's prayer, Jehovah evidently forgave Paul for the
sin of being a persecutor. (1 Timothy 1:12-16) No wonder that Paul exhorted Christians:
"Keep on blessing those who persecute"! He knew from experience that some persecutors may
eventually become servants of God. In our day, some persecutors have likewise become
believers because of the peaceable conduct of Jehovah's servants.
Bless those that oppose the cult and keep trying to convert them.
11. (a) What can we learn from the example of Stephen?
(b) As illustrated by Paul's life, what change may occur in some persecutors?
"Be Peaceable With All Men"
12 Paul's next admonition on how to treat believers and unbelievers is: "Return
evil for evil to no one." That statement is a logical consequence of what he said
earlier, namely: "Abhor what is wicked." After all, how could a person say that he
truly abhors what is wicked, or evil, if he were to use evil as a means to repay
others? Doing so would be the opposite of having love "without hypocrisy." Then Paul
says: "Provide fine things in the sight of all men." (Romans 12: 9,17) How do we apply
those words?
12. How are the words of admonition found at Romans 12:9, 17 related?
13 Earlier, in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote about the persecution that the
apostles faced. He said: "We have become a theatrical spectacle to the world, and to
angels, and to men. . . . When being reviled, we bless; when being persecuted, we bear up;
when being defamed, we entreat." (1 Corinthians 4:9-13) Similarly, true Christians today
are being watched by the people of this world. When those around us observe the fine
things we do even while we are being treated unjustly, they may be inclined to look more
favorably upon our Christian message.-l Peter 2:12.
I gotta wonder, do the rank&file really get concerned that the worldly ones are watching
or that the elders are watching?
13. In what way do we conduct ourselves "in the sight of all men"?
14 How far, though, should we go in order to promote peace? We should go as far as
possible. Paul tells his Christian brothers: "If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men." (Romans 12: 18) "If possible" and "as far as it depends upon
you" are qualifying ex pressions indicating that making peace with others may not always be
possible. For instance, we will not disobey a command of God just to keep peace with man.
(Matthew 10:34-36; Hebrews 12:14) Still, we do everything we reasonably can-without
compromising righteous principles-to make peace "with all men."
"...we will not disobey a command of God just to keep peace with man."
We will obey the WTS before we make peace with family members that try to warn us.
14. How far should we go in order to make peace?
"Do Not Avenge Yourselves"
15 Paul gives another compelling reason why we should not retaliate; it is the modest
course to -follow. He states: "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the
wrath; for it is written: 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says]ehovah.'" (Romans 12:19)
A Christian who tries to take revenge is presumptuous. He claims for himself a role that
belongs to God. (Matthew 7:1) Moreover, by taking matters into his own hands, he shows a
lack of faith in Jehovah's assurance: "I will repay." In contrast, true Christians trust
that Jehovah will "cause justice to be done for his chosen ones." (Luke 18:7, 8;
2 Thessalonians 1:6-8) They modestly leave the avenging of wrong in God's hands.
-Jeremiah 30:23,24; Romans 1:18.
"A Christian who tries to take revenge is presumptuous."
The entire para. above sounds like training to convince JW's not to sue the WTS.
15. What reason to forgo retaliation is found at Romans 12:19?
16 Taking vengeance on an enemy would likely harden his spirit, but treating him with
kindness may soften his heart. Why? Note Paul's words to the Christians in Rome. He says:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by
doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head." (Romans 12:20; Proverbs 25:21,22)
What does this mean?
17 To "heap fiery coals upon his head" is a figure of speech drawn from the method of
smelting metals in Bible times. Ore was put into a furnace, and a layer of coals was put
not only underneath the ore but also on top of it. Fiery coals heaped on top increased the
heat so that the hard metal melted and separated from the impurities in the ore. Similarly,
by doing kind deeds to an opposer, we may "melt" his hardness and bring out his better
qualities. (2 Kings 6: 14-23) In fact, numerous members of the Christian congregation were
first attracted to true worship by the kind deeds that Jehovah's servants performed in their
behalf.
"...doing kind deeds to an opposer..."
Do they really mean that? Are JW's doing kind deeds to opposers?
They disfellowship any former believers. This is just loaded language to
keep recruiting anyone you know who doesn't take to the cult.
16, 17. (a) What does it mean to "heap fiery coals" upon someone's head?
(b) Have you personally observed how kindness softened the heart of an unbeliever?
If so, give an example.
Why We Do Not Retaliate
18 In this brief consideration of Romans chapter 12, we have seen several important
reasons why we "return evil for evil to no one." First, holding back from retaliating is the
right course to follow. In view of God's compassion shown toward us, it is right and
reasonable that we offer ourselves to Jehovah and willingly obey his commandments-including
the command to love our enemies. Second, refusing to return evil for evil is the loving
course to follow. By forgoing retaliation and promoting peace, we lovingly hope to help even
some fierce opposers to become worshippers of Jehovah. Third, refrainin'g from repaying with
evil is the modest course to follow. Avenging ourselves would be presumptuous, for Jehovah
states: "Vengeance is mine." God's Word also warns: "Has presumptuousness come? Then dishonor
will come; but wisdom is with the modest ones." (Proverbs 11:2) Wisely leaving the avenging of
wrong in God's hands shows modesty on our part.
"...we lovingly hope to help even some fierce opposers to become worshippers of Jehovah."
Yes, as I suspected, loaded language to keep recruiting worldly opposers.
18. Why is it right, loving, and modest not to retaliate?
19 Paul sums up his discussion of how we should treat others. He exhorts Christians: "Do not
let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the. evil with the good."
(Romans 12:21) What evil forces are we facing today? How can we conquer them? The answers to
these and related questions will be considered in the following article.
"What evil forces are we facing today?"
We never discussed governmental authorities. Could that be the evil forces.
Tune in to next week's lesson to find out.
19. What will we consider in the following article?
Review Box
Can You Explain?In Romans chapter 12, what admonition is found again and again?What will motivate us not to retaliate?What benefits will be reaped by us and others if we do not "return evil for evil"?