SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:11
en el cuidado no perezosos; ardientes en el Espíritu; sirviendo al Seor;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 12:11
Verse 11. Not slothful in business] That God, who forbade working on the seventh day, has, by the same authority, enjoined it on the other six days. He who neglects to labour during the week is as culpable as he is who works on the Sabbath. An idle, slothful person can never be a Christian. Fervent in spirit] tw pneumati zeontev? Do nothing at any time but what is to tho glory of God, and do every thing as unto him; and in every thing let your hearts be engaged. Be always in earnest, and let your heart ever accompany your hand.
Serving the Lord] Ever considering that his eye is upon you, and that you are accountable to him for all that you do, and that you should do every thing so as to please him. In order to this there must be simplicity in the INTENTION, and purity in the AFFECTIONS.
Instead of tw kuriw douleuontev, serving the Lord, several MSS., as DFG, and many editions, have kairw douleuontev, serving the time-embracing the opportunity. This reading Griesbach has received into the text, and most critics contend for its authenticity. Except the Codes Claromontanus, the Codex Augiensis, and the Codex Boernerianus, the first a MS. of the seventh or eighth century, the others of the ninth or tenth, marked in Griesbach by the letters DFG, all the other MSS. of this epistle have kuriw, the Lord; a reading in which all the versions concur.
kairw, the time, is not found in the two original editions; that of Complutum, in 1514, which is the first edition of the Greek Testament ever printed; and that of Erasmus, in 1516, which is the first edition published; the former having been suppressed for several years after it was finished at the press. As in the ancient MSS. the word kuriw is written contractedly, __ kw, some appear to have read it kairw instead of kuriw; but I confess I do not see sufficient reason after all that the critics have said, to depart from the common reading.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. Not slothful in business , etc..] Meaning not worldly business, or the affairs of life; though slothfulness in this respect is scandalous to human nature, and especially in persons under a profession of religion; men should diligently pursue their lawful callings for the support of themselves and families, and the interest of Christ: but spiritual business, the affairs of piety and religion, the service of God, private and public, to which we should not be backward, nor slothful in the performance of; such as preaching, hearing, reading, praying, and other ordinances of God; yea, we should be ready and forward to every good work, and particularly, and which may be here greatly designed, ministering to the poor saints in their necessity; in doing which we show that kind, tender, affectionate, brotherly love, and give that honour and respect, at least that part of it, which is relief, required in the foregoing verse; (see Hebrews 6:10-12). Remarkable is that saying of R. Tarphon f228 , The day is short, and the work great, ylx[ yl[wphw , and workmen slothful, and the reward much, and the master of the house is urgent. Fervent in spirit ; in their own spirits, for the glory of God, the honour of Christ, and the cause of religion, in imitation of Christ himself, and as Phinehas and Elijah were; which fervency of spirit is opposed to that lukewarmness of soul, ( Revelation 3:16), that coldness of affection, and leaving of the first love, ( Revelation 2:4), so much complained of, and resented by Christ in his people: or else in the Spirit of God; for there may be fervency in men's spirits, which comes not from the Spirit of God, as in the Jews, and particularly Saul, before his conversion, who had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, ( Romans 10:2); but when the love of God is shed abroad in the heart by the Spirit of God, ( Romans 5:5), this will make a man's spirit fervent in the service of God, for which the apostle would have these believers concerned. A disciple of the wise men among the Jews is said to be jtr , fervent, because the law is as a boiling pot unto him; much more should a disciple of Christ be fervent, who has the Gospel of Christ, the love of God, and the grace of the Spirit to inflame his soul with true zeal and fervour. Serving the Lord ; some copies read, serving time: the likeness of the words, kairov and kuriov , especially in an abbreviation, may have occasioned this different reading; which should it be followed, is not to be understood in an ill sense, of temporizing, or time serving, of men's accommodating themselves, their sentiments and conduct, according to the times in which they live, in order to escape reproach and persecution; but of redeeming the time, improving every season to do good, and taking every opportunity of serving God. But as the reading our version follows is confirmed by authentic copies, and by the Syriac, and other Oriental versions, it is best to adhere to it: by the Lord is here meant either God, Father, Son, and Spirit, who are the alone object of divine service and religious worship; or the Lord Jesus Christ, who most frequently goes by the name of Lord in the New Testament; and who is the one Lord, whose we are and whom we should continually serve, being under the greatest obligations to him, not only as our Creator, but as our head, husband, and Redeemer. Very rightly does the apostle premise fervency in spirit to serving the Lord; for without the Spirit of God there is no true worshipping and serving of him, and which ought to be done with fervency as well as with constancy. The Syriac version renders it, serve our Lord.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-16 - The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, fre from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending of Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and deligh in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed u in one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their children which is more tender and natural than any other; unforced unconstrained. And love to God and man, with zeal for the gospel, wil make the wise Christian diligent in all his wordly business, and in gaining superior skill. God must be served with the spirit, under the influences of the Holy Spirit. He is honoured by our hope and trust in him, especially when we rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for God's sake, is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope, are likely to be patient in tribulation. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it. Not only must there by kindness to friends and brethren, but Christians must not harbour ange against enemies. It is but mock love, which rests in words of kindness while our brethren need real supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them. Be ready to entertain those who do good: as there is occasion, we must welcome strangers. Bless, and curse not. It mean thorough good will; not, bless them when at prayer, and curse them a other times; but bless them always, and curse not at all. Tru Christian love will make us take part in the sorrows and joys of eac other. Labour as much as you can to agree in the same spiritual truths and when you come short of that, yet agree in affection. Look upo worldly pomp and dignity with holy contempt. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. Be reconciled to the place God in his providence puts yo in, whatever it be. Nothing is below us, but sin. We shall never fin in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves; therefore that must be mortified.
Greek Textus Receptus
τη 3588 T-DSF σπουδη 4710 N-DSF μη 3361 PRT-N οκνηροι 3636 A-NPM τω 3588 T-DSN πνευματι 4151 N-DSN ζεοντες 2204 5723 V-PAP-NPM τω 3588 T-DSM {VAR1: καιρω 2540 N-DSM } {VAR2: κυριω 2962 N-DSM } δουλευοντες 1398 5723 V-PAP-NPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
11. Slothful (oknhroi). From ojknew to delay.In business (th spoudh). Wrong. Render, as Rev., in diligence; see on ver. 8. Luther, "in regard to zeal be not lazy."
Fervent (zeontev). See on Acts xviii. 25.
The Lord (tw Kuriw). Some texts read kairw the time or opportunity, but the best authorities give Lord.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:11 {Lazy} (okneroi). Old adjective from okne", to hesitate, to be slow. Slow and "poky" as in #Mt 25:26.
