1 So I encourage you, my brothers and sisters, because of God's compassion for you, to dedicate your bodies as a living offering that is holy and pleasing to God. This is the logical way to worship. 2 Don't follow the ways of this world; instead be transformed by the spiritual renewal of your mind so you can demonstrate what God's will really is—good, pleasing, and perfect. 3 Let me explain to all of you, through the grace given to me, that no one should think of themselves better than they ought to. You should think about yourselves realistically, according to the degree of trust God has shared with you. 4 Just as there are many parts to the body, but they don't all do the same thing, 5 so we are one body in Christ, even though we are many—and we all belong to one another. 6 We each have different gifts that vary according to the grace given to us. So if it's speaking for God, then you should do so depending on how much you trust in God. 7 If it's the ministry of service then you should serve; if teaching then you should teach; 8 if encouragement then you should encourage; if giving then you should give generously; if leadership then you should lead with commitment; if being merciful then you should do so gladly. 9 Love must be genuine. Hate what is evil; hold on tightly to what is good. 10 Be completely dedicated to each other in your love as family; value others more than yourselves. 11 Don't be unwilling to work hard; serve the Lord with an enthusiastic spirit. 12 Remain cheerful in the hope you have, put up with the troubles that come, keep on praying. 13 Share in providing for the needs of God's people, and welcome strangers with hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you—bless them, and don't curse them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy; cry with those who are crying. 16 Think about one another. Don't consider yourself more important than others; live humbly. Don't be conceited. 17 Don't pay back anyone evil for evil. Make sure you show everybody that what you're doing is good, 18 and as far as it's up to you, live at peace with everyone. 19 My dear friends, don't seek revenge, but leave it to God to execute judgment—as Scripture points out, “‘It's for me to dispense justice, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” 20 If those who hate you are hungry, give them food; if they're thirsty, give them a drink; for by doing so you pile fiery coals on their heads. 21 Don't be defeated by evil—conquer evil with good.
Romans 12 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Cross references (21)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 1 Peter 2:5; Romans 6:13; Romans 6:19; Hebrews 13:15–16; Ephesians 4:1
- 2 1 Peter 1:14; Ephesians 4:22–24; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10; 1 John 2:15–17
- 3 Galatians 6:3; Philippians 2:3–8; Proverbs 26:12; 1 Peter 5:5; Romans 12:16
- 4 1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Corinthians 12:12–14; Ephesians 4:15–16; 1 Corinthians 12:4; Ephesians 4:4
- 5 1 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Corinthians 12:27–28; Ephesians 4:25; 1 Corinthians 10:17; Ephesians 5:30
- 6 1 Peter 4:10–11; 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28–31; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; Romans 12:3
- 7 Acts 13:1; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Timothy 5:17; Ephesians 4:11; Psalm 34:11
- 8 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Timothy 3:4–5; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Acts 15:32
- 9 Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 John 3:18–20; 1 Peter 3:10–11
- 10 Philippians 2:3; John 13:34–35; Hebrews 13:1; 1 John 4:11; 1 Peter 3:8–9
- 11 Hebrews 6:10–11; Acts 18:25; Revelation 3:15–16; Proverbs 13:4; Colossians 3:22–24
- 12 Romans 15:13; Hebrews 10:36; Psalm 62:8; Romans 5:2–4; Philippians 4:6–7
- 13 Hebrews 13:16; 2 Corinthians 9:12; 1 John 3:17; Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 6:10
- 14 1 Peter 3:9; Matthew 5:44; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Corinthians 4:12–13; Romans 12:21
- 15 1 Corinthians 12:26; Hebrews 13:3; Psalm 35:13–14; John 11:33–36; Job 30:25
- 16 1 Peter 3:8; Proverbs 3:7; James 3:13–17; Philippians 2:2–3; Romans 12:3
- 17 Proverbs 20:22; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9; Matthew 5:39; 2 Corinthians 8:20–21
- 18 Hebrews 12:14; Matthew 5:9; Romans 14:19; 2 Corinthians 13:11; James 3:16–18
- 19 Deuteronomy 32:35; Hebrews 10:30; Proverbs 24:29; Proverbs 20:22; Romans 12:17
- 20 Proverbs 25:21–22; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27; Exodus 23:4–5; 2 Kings 6:22
- 21 1 Peter 3:9; Luke 6:27–30; Proverbs 16:32
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
After discoursing at large upon the love of God toward man, and pointing out His unspeakable concern for us, and unutterable goodness, which cannot even be searched into, he next puts it forward with a view of persuading those who have received the benefit to exhibit a conversation worthy of the gift.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 11 (1889)
Why do we divide and tear to pieces the members of Christ, and raise up strife against our own body, and have reached such a height of madness as to forget that "we are members one of another?" Remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, how He said, "Woe to that man [by whom offences come]!
… pride, nor should we tempt God, but should feel humility in all things, and have ready to hand [this saying], "Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God." As also the apostle taught, saying, "Minding not high things, but consenting to things of low estate;" that we should neither be ensnared with riches, nor mundane glory, nor present fancy, but …
… this custom had it been forbidden by another whom she loved not as Ambrose, whom, out of regard for my salvation, she loved most dearly; and he loved her truly, on account of her most religious conversation, whereby, in good works so "fervent in spirit," she frequented the church; so that he would often, when he saw me, burst forth …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
When we do so as avenging ourselves: which Paul also forbidding, said "Avenge not yourselves, dearly beloved, but rather give place unto wrath." When we are contending for riches: yea, for this hath he also taken away, where he saith, "Why do ye not rather take wrong?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)