Romans 12
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 56 – AD 57 · The early church · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
21 verses · 405 words · ~2 min read · ~3 min listen
Living Sacrifices
1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of Godʼs mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.
6We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If oneʼs gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; 7if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality
9Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
11Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
13Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Forgiveness
14Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for Godʼs wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20On the contrary,
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Footnotes (3)
- a v1 Or your reasonable service
- b v19 Deuteronomy 32:35(see also LXX)
- c v20 Proverbs 25:21–22(see also LXX)
Study notes on this chapter · 1
Vengeance is mine
Paul tells believers not to take revenge, quoting Moses' song ('Vengeance is mine') and then Proverbs on feeding an enemy. The two quotations together show that leaving justice to God frees the believer to do good to enemies.
When: Deuteronomy (traditionally c. 1406 BC); Proverbs, c. 950–700 BC; Romans, c. AD 57.
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.