| 1 | I appeal to you therefore, brethren,
and
beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service
and
spiritual worship. |
| 2 | Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God,
even
the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. |
| 3 | For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate
and
think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. |
| 4 | For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function
or
use, |
| 5 | So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. |
| 6 | Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith; |
| 7 | [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching; |
| 8 | He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity
and
liberality; he who gives aid
and
superintends, with zeal
and
singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness
and
joyful eagerness. |
| 9 | [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. |
| 10 | Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence
and
showing honor to one another. |
| 11 | Never lag in zeal
and
in earnest endeavor; be aglow
and
burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. |
| 12 | Rejoice
and
exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering
and
tribulation; be constant in prayer. |
| 13 | Contribute to the needs of God’s people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality. |
| 14 | Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. |
| 15 | Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief]. |
| 16 | Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things]
and
give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself
or
be wise in your own conceits. |
| 17 | Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest
and
proper
and
noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. |
| 18 | If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. |
| 19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. |
| 20 | But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. |
| 21 | Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good. |
Cross references:
-
Romans 12:16 : Prov. 3:7.
-
Romans 12:17 : Prov. 20:22.
-
Romans 12:19 : Deut. 32:35.
-
Romans 12:20 : Prov. 25:21, 22.
|