Romans
Chapter 12
Overview
Paul turns from explaining God’s mercy to asking how a changed life should look. He addresses believers in Rome as one community, joined to the Messiah yet filled with people who have different abilities and responsibilities. The chapter moves from offering one’s whole self to God, through humble service and genuine love, into the difficult art of living peacefully with others—which sounds simple until other people arrive. Its final challenge is quietly daring: meet injury without revenge, care even for an enemy, and let goodness defeat evil instead of becoming its mirror.
1So, brothers and sisters, because God has shown such compassion, I urge you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, set apart for him and pleasing to him. This is the thoughtful and fitting way for you to worship God.
2Do not let this present age shape you according to its pattern. Instead, be transformed as your mind is made new. Then you will be able to recognize and approve what God wants—what is good, pleasing to him, and complete.
3Because God has graciously given me this role, I say to every one of you: Do not think more highly of yourself than you should. Think about yourself with sound judgment, in keeping with the measure of faith God has given each person.
4One body has many parts, and not all its parts perform the same function.
5In the same way, although there are many of us, we are one body in the Messiah, and each of us belongs to all the others as parts of that body.
6God has freely given us different abilities. If someone can speak a message from God, that person should do so in proportion to their faith.
7If someone’s ability is serving others, that person should serve. If it is teaching, that person should teach.
8If it is encouraging others, that person should encourage them. Whoever gives should give generously. Whoever leads should lead diligently. Whoever cares for people in distress should do it cheerfully.
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, and cling to what is good.
10Love one another warmly as members of one family. Take the lead in honoring one another.
11Do not become lazy in your efforts. Keep your spirit burning with energy as you serve the Lord.
12Be joyful because of your hope. Endure hardship patiently, and persist in prayer.
13Help meet the needs of God’s people, and eagerly welcome strangers into your home.
14Ask God to do good to those who persecute. Ask for good for them, and do not curse them.
15Be glad with those who are glad, and weep with those who weep.
16Live in harmony with one another. Do not set your mind on high status, but let yourself be drawn into the company of people of low standing. Do not think you are wiser than you really are.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give thought to doing what everyone can recognize as honorable.
18If possible, and as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19Dear friends, do not take revenge for yourselves. Instead, leave room for God’s anger. Scripture says, “It is for me to bring justice; I will repay,” says God.
20Instead, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. When you do this, your kindness will confront him forcefully, like piling burning coals on his head.
21Do not let evil conquer you. Conquer evil by doing good.