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Romans Commentary Chapters 1-8  /  Romans 6:16-23 Being Slaves of Christ Leads to Life  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 5
Chrysostom is quoted: “Do not wait to be loved… leap at it yourself”; in your relationships within the church, where have you been waiting to be pursued first, and what specific action would look like being the first to show “intense, warm, and glowing” affection?
Another way to ask: In church relationships, where are you waiting for others to reach out to you first? What is one specific way you could be the first to show warm, real affection?

Direct Answer The transcript pushes us to stop waiting for others to initiate love and instead to take the first step with deliberate, warm affection. Being “first” would look like proactive acts of brotherly love rather than passive expectations.

Support from Transcript:

  • Romans 12:10: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love.”
  • Chrysostom explains Paul’s meaning: “Our love for one another must be intense, warm, and glowing.”
  • He applies it directly: “Do not wait to be loved by another, but leap at it yourself and be the first to show love.”
  • The broader context emphasizes initiative elsewhere too: hospitality is not passive—“pursue hospitality… proactively search for strangers in need… run to them.”
  • Unity and mutual submission are cooperative: the Spirit brings unity, “however, the Spirit does not do so apart from our cooperation.”
Discussion Follow-ups Who in your church is easiest to overlook—new people, the needy, or those outside your friend group? What is one concrete, “first move” step that is more like pursuing than waiting?

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