Romans 12
About RomansWritten by AI
Romans is a letter, the longest and most carefully argued that Paul wrote. Almost all agree Paul is the author, writing from Corinth around AD 57 to a church he had never visited, made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers. He hoped to visit on his way to Spain and wanted them to understand the gospel he preached.
The letter builds step by step. Chapters 1 to 3 show that everyone, Jew and Gentile, needs God's mercy. Chapters 3 to 8 explain how God makes people right with Himself through faith in Jesus and gives new life by the Spirit. Chapters 9 to 11 wrestle with Israel's place in God's plan. Chapters 12 to 16 turn to daily life together.
Watch for the words righteousness, faith, grace and Spirit, and for Paul's theme sentence: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
Before you read Romans 12Written by AI
The letter turns to everyday life. In view of God's mercy, offer your whole self to God and be changed by a renewed mind. Use your different gifts for the one body. Then comes a rapid string of commands about love: be sincere, honor one another, bless those who persecute you, and overcome evil with good.
Living Sacrifices
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. Do 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.
For 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. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.
We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if 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.
Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Forgiveness
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
On 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.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.