Rom Romans, chapter Epistle to the Romans, chapter 12
Living Sacrifices
(1 Corinthians 3:16–23; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20)
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 Or your reasonable service 1Co 3:17Do 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.Eph 1:18; Eph 5:10; Eph 5:17
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. Eph 4:7Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, 1Co 12:12so 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; Mat 25:15; 1Pe 4:10; 1Co 12:4if 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.Mat 6:2
Love, Zeal, Hope, Hospitality
(John 13:31–35; 1 John 3:11–24)
Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Psa 97:10; Amo 5:15Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.1Pe 2:17; Eph 4:2
Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.Luk 18:1
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.1Co 16:1; Heb 13:2
Forgiveness
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Mat 5:44Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 1Co 12:26Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.Pro 3:7; Isa 5:21; Jhn 17:11
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. Pro 20:22; 2Co 8:21If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.Heb 12:14
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.”12:19 Deuteronomy 32:35 (see also LXX)Deu 32:35; Mat 5:39; Luk 6:28; 1Co 6:7
Therefore,12:20 CT 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.”12:20 Proverbs 25:21–22 (see also LXX)Pro 25:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.