Romans 12
21 verses
Paul now pivots from doctrine to ethics, calling the Romans to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God—this is their true worship, their logikē latreia (rational service, spiritual act of worship). The transformation requires the renewing of the mind so that the believer may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect—a radical reorientation of consciousness through the gospel. The body and its members are gifted diversely: prophecy according to the measure of faith, serving in one's serving, teaching in teaching, exhortation in exhortation, giving in generosity, leading in diligence, and showing mercy in cheerfulness—each charisma exercised according to the measure of faith granted, constituting the corporate body of Christ. Love without hypocrisy—genuine, not feigned love—frames the ethical demands: abhor evil and cleave to good, love one another with familial affection, outdo one another in honor, do not be slothful in diligence but fervent in spirit, serve the Lord, rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, be constant in prayer, contribute to the saints' needs, practice hospitality. The ethics of the Spirit-filled community extend even to enemies: bless those who persecute you, do not repay evil for evil, as far as it lies with you be at peace with all, and do not take revenge but leave room for the wrath of God (citing Deut 32:35), for overcome evil with good is the final principle—a love that mirrors the self-giving love of Christ and transforms the community into a living temple.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
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The word "transformed" here is metamorphosis — the same word used for what happens to a caterpillar. It is not self-impr...
2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
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4
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
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5
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
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6
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
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7
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
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8
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
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9
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
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10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
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11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
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12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
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There's something deeply comforting about knowing that the same God who spoke these words is the same yesterday, today, ...
13
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
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God is faithful in every circumstance.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. God is faithful in every circu...
14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
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15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
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16
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
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17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
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We bring nothing; He provides everything.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance...
18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
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19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
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God is faithful in every circumstance.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. God is faithful in every ...
20
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
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21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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