In ancient Christian burial grounds in Rome, the inscriptions record that people died “in pace” or “in peace.” What this means is that they died as members of the church that is Christ’s peace, even though they fought just as much as we do. To be a member of the church is to share Christ’s peace, however much we annoy one another or disagree with one another.

As Paul continues his parenesis in today’s epistle lesson, his advice to these Christians at Rome suggests that there were divisive issues within that faith community similar to those that caused frictions and factions at Corinth (and similar to the ones that divide the church today). How easily the bride came become the bridezilla. But Paul’s directives here in Romans are so undefined that commentators have long argued over who or wh…