Romans 12.18-Paul Commands Romans That If Possible, As It Depends On Them, Be At Peace With All Men
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Thursday November 19, 2009
Romans: Romans 12:18-Paul Commands Romans To Continue To Live Peaceably With All Men As Far As It Depends On Them
Lesson # 426
Please turn in your Bibles to Romans 12:18.
This evening we will note Romans 12:18 in which Paul commands his readers to be at peace with all people.
Like much of Romans 12:9-21, Romans 12:18 is elliptical meaning that in the protasis Paul leaves out the third person singular present active indicative form of the verb eimi (ei)miv) (i-mee), “it is.”
Though it is omitted it is implied since Paul deliberately omits it due to his use of the figure of ellipsis.
Also, in the apodasis, Paul leaves out deliberately though it is implied the present active infinitive form of the verb eireneuo (ei)rhneuvw) (i-rane-yoo-o), which means “to be at peace”.
Also, not translated but implied is a prepositional phrase, which appears in the apodasis as well and is composed of the preposition meta (metav) (met-ah), “with” and the genitive masculine plural form of the adjective pas (pa$), “all” and the genitive masculine plural form of the noun anthropos (a*nqrwpo$) (anth-ro-pos), “men.”
Therefore, if we supply these words, the passage would read like this: “If it is possible to continue to live peaceably with all people as far as it depends on you and we agree that this possibility continues, then continue to make it your habit to live peaceably with all people.”
Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
“If” is the conditional particle ei (ei)) (i), which introduces a protasis of a first class condition that indicates the assumption of truth for the sake of argument.
As we noted many times in our study of the book of Romans, the idea behind the first class condition is not “since” but rather, “if-and let us assume that it is true for the sake of argument that, then...”
This would encourage Paul’s audience to respond and come to the conclusion of the apodosis since they already agreed with him on the protasis.
Therefore, Paul is employing the first class condition as a tool of persuasion with his audience.
Paul’s audience would respond to his protasis.
Here the protasis is “if and let assume that it is true for the sake argument that it is possible to continue to live peaceably with all people as far as it depends on you (Roman believers).”
The responsive condition indicates that Paul’s readers would say: “Of course we agree that it is true that there continues to be the possibility of living peaceably with all men as far as it depends on us.”
They would agree because they were already doing so through the power of the Spirit as indicated by Romans 1:8 and 15:14-15.
The apodasis is “(then) be at peace with all men.”
The basic relation that the protasis has to the apodasis is “evidence-inference.”
The “evidence” is that it is possible to continue to live peaceably with all people as far as it depended on Paul’s Christian readers because they already were living peaceably with all people by means of the enabling power of the Spirit.
The “inference” is that Paul’s Christian readers are to continue to live peaceably with all men.
Paul is not attempting to prove that his protasis is true rather he is saying with the first class condition that we agree that it is possible to continue to live peaceably with all men as far as it depended on (the Roman believers).
His statements in Romans 1:8 and 15:14-15 indicate that they already were doing so by the enabling power of the Spirit.
The first class condition would then persuade Paul’s readers to respond to the conclusion, which is in the form of a command, then continue to make it their habit to live peaceably with all men.
Therefore, Paul’s audience would have to come to his conclusion if they submit to this line of argumentation and continue to live peaceably with all people.
He wants them to come to his line of argumentation because he wants his readers to continue to evangelize the unsaved in their personal periphery.
Therefore, it is essential that they agree with him on this point since it will continue to contribute to the evangelization of Rome.
Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
“Possible” is the nominative neuter singular form of the adjective dunatos (dunatov$) (doo-nat-os), which pertains to being possible with the implication of possessing the inherent ability to determine the state of one’s relationship with another.
It describes that there continues to exist the possibility of the Roman believers continuing to live peaceably with all people because of the omnipotence of the indwelling Spirit since He is the member of the Trinity that provides the believer the capacity to execute the command to be at peace with all people.
In fact, Romans 1:8 and 15:14-15 indicate that they already were living peaceably with all people from their perspective.
However, not all men will desire to be at peace with them and would seek to persecute them instead.
This word also indicates that not all men would desire to be at peace with Paul’s readers since the unsaved are deceived by the devil and enslaved to the sin nature and devoid of the indwelling presence of the Spirit.
Not translated but implied is the present active infinitive form of the verb eireneuo (ei)rhneuvw) (i-rane-yoo-o), which is used intransitively and means “to live peaceably” and is used in the apodasis.
The present tense is a customary present indicating that there continued to exist the possibility of the Roman believers continuing to live in an ongoing state of being at peace with all men.
Also, not translated but implied is a prepositional phrase, which appears in the apodasis and is composed of the preposition meta (metav) (met-ah), “with” and the genitive masculine plural form of the adjective pas (pa$), “all” and the genitive masculine plural form of the noun anthropos (a*nqrwpo$) (anth-ro-pos), “men.”
Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
“As it depends on you” is composed of the accusative neuter singular form of the definite article ho (o() (ho) and the preposition ek (e)k), which is followed by the genitive second person plural personal pronoun humeis (u(mei$) (hoo-mice).
Humeis refers to Paul’s Christian readers in Rome as a corporate unit.
The preposition ek is a marker of source indicating that as far as it “depends on” Paul’s readers, they were to continue to live peaceably with all people.
The definite article ho functions as an accusative of respect or reference indicating that “as far as” being at peace with all men depends on Paul’s readers, they were to continue to do so.
Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
“Be at peace” is the nominative masculine second person plural present active participle form of the verb eireneuo (ei)rhneuvw) (i-rane-yoo-o), which is used intransitively and means “to live peaceably.”
The verb functions as an imperatival participle, which indicates that Paul is commanding his readers that they must continue live peaceably with all people.
This is a “customary present imperative,” which is a command for action to be continued, action that may or may not have already been going on and is often a character building command to the effect of “make this your habit.”
The present imperative of the verb is used of a general precept for habits that should characterize one’s attitude and behavior.
Therefore, it denotes that the Roman believers’ must continue to make it their habit of living peaceably with all people.
Paul’s statements in Romans 1:8 and 15:14-15 imply that they were obeying this command.
“With all men” is a reference to the entire human race with emphasis upon the unsaved.
Corrected translation of Romans 12:18: “If and let us assume that it is true for the sake of argument that there continues to exist a possibility to continue to live peaceably with all people as far as it depends on all of you and we agree that there continues to be that possibility then all of you continue to make it your habit to live peaceably with all people.”
Paul is also teaching in this passage that peace with others may not always be possible but believers should never be responsible for the lack of peace in their relationships with the unsaved.