1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s 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 one’s 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.
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.
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 God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12 Verse Notes
Rom 12:13
Comparative usage of 'dioon' in the New Testament
The word 'dioon' is translated as 'persecute' almost exclusively in Philippians when referring to Paul's actions. However, it appears elsewhere in Luke, Matthew, and Romans, where it is consistently translated as 'pursue,' sometimes even in a positive context, such as 'pursuing hospitality' in Romans 12:13. This broader usage challenges the automatic negative connotation of 'persecute' for Paul's actions.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · Did Paul Really Persecute Christians? · watch the clip
Rom 12:17
Pauline Character of First Peter
First Peter exhibits a strong Pauline character in its tone, language, and theological concepts, using expressions like 'in Christ' and echoing Paul's teachings on not returning evil for evil and describing basic Christian teaching as 'milk.' This similarity is so pronounced that some scholars suggest if Peter's name were absent, the letter might be mistaken for one of Paul's.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 25: The Other Apostles Speak | The Letters of Peter · watch the clip
Rom 12:19
Biblical Non-Retaliation and Divine Vengeance
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, consistently advises against personal vengeance. Instead, it advocates for leaving retribution to God, who will ultimately avenge wrongs through eschatological judgment. This concept, sometimes called 'fantasies of vengeance,' suggests that while individuals should not retaliate, God will ensure justice.
Summarized by AI · The Bible and the Quran: Comparing Their Historical Problems · Lecture 8: A History of Hatred, Intolerance, and Violence | Is the Quran to Blame? · watch the clip
Rom 12:20
Paul's Quote of Proverbs in Romans
In Romans 12:20, Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21-22, advising to feed and give drink to one's enemy, stating that in doing so, 'you will heap burning coals on their head.' This demonstrates Paul's familiarity with Old Testament wisdom literature, a common source for both Paul and the Gospel writers.
Summarized by AI · The New Testament: Exploring the Christian Bible · Lecture 20: Collecting Paul’s Letters · watch the clip
