Side by side
Romans 12
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: Living SacrificesVerses 1 to 2
"Therefore 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" (12:1).
In the temple, sacrifices were killed and offered to God. Paul says: offer yourselves alive. Your whole life is worship.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (12:2).
Conformed means pressed into the world's shape. Transformed means changed from the inside out.
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.
Section 2: One Body, Many GiftsVerses 3 to 8
"Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought" (12:3).
A body has many parts, and each one has a different job.
"So in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another" (12:5).
"We have different gifts according to the grace given us" (12:6). Some teach. Some encourage. Some give. Some lead. Some show mercy.
Each gift should be used with a whole heart. "If it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (12:8).
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.
Section 3: Love Must Be SincereVerses 9 to 13
"Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good" (12:9).
Sincere means real, not fake.
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another" (12:10).
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer" (12:12).
Share with believers in need. Welcome guests into your home.
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.
Section 4: Overcome Evil With GoodVerses 14 to 21
"Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse" (12:14).
"Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" (12:15).
Live in harmony. Don't be proud. Spend time with people others overlook.
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil" (12:17).
"If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone" (12:18).
Don't take revenge. Leave that to God.
If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (12:21).
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 enjoy the company of 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.
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