Romans12
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
2And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
3For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.
4For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office:
5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.
6And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
7or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;
8or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;
11in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;
13communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.
14Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.
15Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.
16Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men.
18If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.
19Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.
20But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.
21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Romans 12.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Believers are to dedicate themselves to God. (1, 2). To be humble, and faithfully to use their spiritual gifts, in their respective stations. (3–8). Exhortations to various duties. (9–16). And to peaceable conduct towards all men, with forbearance and benevolence. (17–21).
vv1-2
The apostle having closed the part of his epistle wherein he argues and proves various doctrines which are practically applied, here urges important duties from gospel principles. He entreated the Romans, as his brethren in Christ, by the mercies of God, to present their bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. This is a powerful appeal. We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: a reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and which we understand. Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind; a change, not of the substance, but of the qualities of the soul. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and more, and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on this renewing work, till it is perfected in glory. The great enemy to this renewal is, conformity to this world. Take heed of forming plans for happiness, as though it lay in the things of this world, which soon pass away. Do not fall in with the customs of those who walk in the lusts of the flesh, and mind earthly things. The work of the Holy Ghost first begins in the understanding, and is carried on to the will, affections, and conversation, till there is a change of the whole man into the likeness of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness. Thus, to be godly, is to give up ourselves to God.
vv3-8
Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Head of the body, and the common Centre of their unity. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. We are to do all the good we can, one to another, and for the common benefit. If we duly thought about the powers we have, and how far we fail properly to improve them, it would humble us. But as we must not be proud of our talents, so we must take heed lest, under a pretence of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in laying out ourselves for the good of others. We must not say, I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. Whatever our gifts or situations may be, let us try to employ ourselves humbly, diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not seeking our own credit or profit, but the good of many, for this world and that which is to come.
vv9-16
The professed love of Christians to each other should be sincere, free from deceit, and unmeaning and deceitful compliments. Depending on Divine grace, they must detest and dread all evil, and love and delight in whatever is kind and useful. We must not only do that which is good, but we must cleave to it. All our duty towards one another is summed up in one word, love. This denotes the love of parents to their children; which is more tender and natural than any other; unforced, unconstrained. And love to God and man, with zeal for the gospel, will make the wise Christian diligent in all his wordly business, and in gaining superior skill. God must be served with the spirit, under the influences of the Holy Spirit. He is honoured by our hope and trust in him, especially when we rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for God's sake, is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope, are likely to be patient in tribulation. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it. Not only must there be kindness to friends and brethren, but Christians must not harbour anger against enemies. It is but mock love, which rests in words of kindness, while our brethren need real supplies, and it is in our power to furnish them. Be ready to entertain those who do good: as there is occasion, we must welcome strangers. Bless, and curse not. It means thorough good will; not, bless them when at prayer, and curse them at other times; but bless them always, and curse not at all. True Christian love will make us take part in the sorrows and joys of each other. Labour as much as you can to agree in the same spiritual truths; and when you come short of that, yet agree in affection. Look upon worldly pomp and dignity with holy contempt. Do not mind it; be not in love with it. Be reconciled to the place God in his providence puts you in, whatever it be. Nothing is below us, but sin. We shall never find in our hearts to condescend to others, while we indulge conceit of ourselves; therefore that must be mortified.
Key Words
παρακαλέω (parakaléō): to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
ὑμᾶς (hymâs): you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
οὖν (oûn): (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἀδελφός (adelphós): a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
διά (diá): through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
οἰκτιρμός (oiktirmós): pity
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
παρίστημι (parístēmi): to stand beside, i.e. (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or ready), aid
ὑμῶν (hymōn): of (from or concerning) you
σῶμα (sōma): the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
Cross References
Romans 12Direct Old Testament source cited by Paul for 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.'
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct source for feeding a hungry enemy and heaping coals of fire on his head.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Crucial parallel detailing the unity and diversity of many members in one body in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Uses the same Greek root for being transformed/transfigured by spiritual renewal.
Supported by JFB
Christ's command to bless them that curse you, echoing the call to bless persecutors.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Earlier Roman command to yield/present members as instruments of righteousness to God.
Supported by JFB
Parallels not being conformed to this present evil world/age.
Supported by JFB
Exhorts believers to be clothed with humility and not think highly of themselves.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms believers are collectively the body of Christ and individually members of it.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Links sharing, doing good, and distributing with well-pleasing spiritual sacrifices.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Warns against self-conceit, telling believers not to be wise in their own eyes.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The foundational Levitical law forbidding vengeance or bearing grudges.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic parallel to 'abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Covenant law requiring helping an enemy's beast, prefiguring loving actions toward adversaries.
Supported by Matthew Poole