Romans 12:11

Slothful (Greek: okneroi), “slow,” “hesitating,” “timid,” “dilatory,” “careless,” “lazy.” The word occurs frequently in the Septuagint of Proverbs (see Proverbs 20:4; etc.). It is used to describe the wicked servant in our Lord’s parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:26).

Business (Greek: spoude), “zeal,” “ardor,” “fervor.” Spoude is translated “diligence” in v. 8. Paul does not here refer to secular business but to spiritual zeal and energy. The Christian should not allow his zeal to flag, but should put his whole heart into the service of the Lord (Colossians 3:23). Such enduring zeal is the result of genuine Christian love, for it is the love of Christ that “constrains,” or “controls,” His followers (2 Corinthians 5:13, 14). There is no place for sluggards in the kingdom of God (see Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pp. 183, 184), for their lack of zeal is a mark of their selfishness and lack of love. They have not been sufficiently stirred by Christ’s love and sacrifice to be willing to join their Master with all their strength in the urgent work of reclaiming sinners from the swift-flowing waters of sin.

Fervent (Greek: zēdō), literally, “to boil.” Apollos is described as a man who was “fervent in the spirit” (Acts 18:25). The zealous Christian will always keep his interest in the cause of God at the boiling point, as it were. His fervor will give him power with men (Acts 18:25, 28) and bring him power from God. The apostle John was “a powerful preacher, fervent, and deeply in earnest,” and “the fervor that characterized his teachings gave him access to all classes” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 546).

In spirit. This may be understood as either the human spirit or the divine Spirit. Perhaps Paul is speaking of the human spirit inspired and energized by the Spirit of God. The consecrated, energetic believer will find the discharge of his Christian duties not a dull, uninteresting drudgery but rather a joyous, vitalizing experience. With his heart aglow he is ever hastening to wherever there is some good to be done. He shares Christ’s love for fallen humanity and so finds his deepest satisfaction in ministering to the needs of his fellow men. Like his Lord, he has nourishment to sustain him that other men “know not of,” for his food is to do the will of the One who called him and “to finish his work” (John 4:32-34).

Serving the Lord. Zeal and fervor arise naturally in the heart of the believer who recognizes that, in whatever sphere of labor he may be serving, he is working “as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23, 24; cf. Ephesians 6:5-8).