Romans 12

The living sacrifice

1So, my dear family, this is my appeal to you by the mercies of God: offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. That’s what properly thought-out worship looks like. 2What’s more, don’t let yourselves be squeezed into the shape dictated by the present age. Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you can work out what God’s will is, what is good, acceptable and complete.

3Through the grace which was given to me, I have this to say to each one of you: don’t think of yourselves more highly than you ought to think. Rather, think soberly, in line with faith, the true standard which God has marked out for each of you. 4As in one body we have many limbs and organs, you see, and all the parts have different functions, 5so we, many as we are, are one body in the Messiah, and individually we belong to one another.

Living together in the Messiah

6Well then, we have gifts that differ in accordance with the grace that has been given to us, and we must use them appropriately. If it is prophecy, we must prophesy according to the pattern of the faith. 7If it is serving, we must work at our serving; if teaching, at our teaching; 8if exhortation, at our exhortation; if giving, with generosity; if leading, with energy; if doing acts of kindness, with cheerfulness.

9Love must be real. Hate what is evil, stick fast to what is good. 10Be truly affectionate in showing love for one another; compete with each other in giving mutual respect. 11Don’t get tired of working hard. Be on fire with the spirit. Work as slaves for the Lord. 12Celebrate your hope; be patient in suffering; give constant energy to prayer; 13contribute to the needs of God’s people; make sure you are hospitable to strangers.

Living alongside the world

14Bless those who persecute you; bless them, don’t curse them. 15Celebrate with the joyful, mourn with the mourners. 16Come to the same mind with one another. Don’t give yourselves airs, but associate with the humble. Don’t get too clever for yourselves.

17Never repay anyone evil for evil; think through what will seem good to everyone who is watching. 18If it’s possible, as far as you can, live at peace with all people. 19Don’t take revenge, my dear people, but allow God’s anger room to work. The Bible says, after all, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” 20No: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will pile up burning coals on his head.” 21Don’t let evil conquer you. Rather, conquer evil with good.

Currently Selected:

Romans 12: NTFE

Highlight

Copy

Compare

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

a. The New Testament for Everyone, Third Edition. Copyright © 2011, 2018, 2019 by Nicholas Thomas Wright, The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. All rights reserved. Published by Zondervan, 2023.

Learn More About The New Testament for Everyone