Romans 12

King James Version

Full text for Romans Chapter 12

1¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

7Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9[Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

10[Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

11Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

13Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

15Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

16[Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Romans 12 begins with an exhortation to present one's body as a living sacrifice, transformed by the renewing of the mind, rather than conforming to the world. It emphasizes the importance of humility, recognizing that believers are one body in Christ with diverse spiritual gifts to be exercised faithfully. The chapter concludes with practical instructions for Christian living, including genuine love, brotherly affection, patience, hospitality, and overcoming evil with good.

Medium Summary

The apostle Paul beseeches believers to offer their bodies as a living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice to God, which is their reasonable service. He urges them not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, enabling them to discern God's perfect will. Paul then addresses the proper use of spiritual gifts, stressing humility and sober self-assessment, as all believers are members of one body in Christ, each with different gifts such as prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, and showing mercy. The chapter further provides a series of practical ethical commands, advocating for sincere love, brotherly kindness, diligence, patience in tribulation, and constant prayer. It also instructs believers to bless those who persecute them, to share in others' joys and sorrows, and to live peaceably with all men, never repaying evil for evil but overcoming evil with good.

Long Summary

Romans 12 opens with a profound appeal for believers to consecrate themselves entirely to God, presenting their bodies as a living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice, which is deemed their spiritual act of worship. This transformation is not to be a conformity to worldly patterns but a renewal of the mind, enabling them to discern and embrace God's good, acceptable, and perfect will. Paul then transitions to the topic of spiritual gifts and the unity of the body of Christ. He cautions against pride, urging each individual to think of themselves soberly, according to the measure of faith God has distributed. Just as a physical body has many members with distinct functions, so too are believers many, yet form one body in Christ, each member dependent on the others. The chapter enumerates various gifts given by grace, including prophecy (to be exercised according to the proportion of faith), ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving (with simplicity), ruling (with diligence), and showing mercy (with cheerfulness). The latter part of the chapter provides a comprehensive list of practical ethical exhortations for daily Christian conduct. These include cultivating love without hypocrisy, abhorring evil and cleaving to good, demonstrating brotherly affection, honoring one another, and being diligent in service to the Lord. Believers are encouraged to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and persistent in prayer, while also distributing to the needs of the saints and practicing hospitality. Crucially, the chapter instructs believers to bless their persecutors, to empathize with others by rejoicing with the joyful and weeping with the sorrowful, and to maintain a humble mindset, avoiding arrogance. Finally, it strongly admonishes against retaliation, urging believers to live peaceably with all men and to leave vengeance to God. The chapter culminates with the powerful command to overcome evil not with evil, but with good, even by providing for the needs of one's enemies.

Core Concepts

  • Living SacrificeBelievers are exhorted to present their bodies as a living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice to God, which is described as their reasonable service or spiritual worship.
  • Transformation of MindInstead of conforming to the world, believers are called to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, enabling them to discern and prove God's good, acceptable, and perfect will.
  • Unity and Diversity of Spiritual GiftsAs members of one body in Christ, believers possess diverse spiritual gifts given by grace, such as prophecy, ministry, teaching, and mercy, which are to be exercised with humility and diligence for the common good.
  • Humility in ServiceIndividuals are cautioned against thinking too highly of themselves, but rather to think soberly, recognizing that their gifts and roles are distributed by God and are part of a larger, interconnected body.
  • Practical Christian EthicsThe chapter outlines numerous ethical principles for daily living, including genuine love, brotherly affection, diligence, patience, hospitality, and sharing with those in need.
  • Responding to AdversityBelievers are instructed to bless those who persecute them, to live peaceably with all, to refrain from vengeance, and to overcome evil with good, even by caring for their enemies.