12:11 business. This term refers not just to making a living, but to all aspects of life. Compare Ecclesiastes 9:10; Colossians 3:23; Ephesians 6:7.

12:11 serving. The Greek word here is douleuo, in contrast to the other words speaking of “serving” in this chapter. See note on Romans 12:7. The service here is that required of slaves. Before conversion, we were bond-servants to sin, but the Lord Jesus has purchased us with His blood, so we are now His bond-servants (I Peter 1:18-19; I Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 6:16).