New Testament Commentary - Romans 12

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 12 Paul counsels the saints to present their bodies as a living sacrifice; to use their own grace-given gifts; to live as becometh saints.
1 I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your ^abodies a living ^bsacrifice, holy, ^cacceptable unto God, which is your reasonable ^dservice. 2 And be not conformed to this ^aworld: but be ye ^btransformed by the ^crenewing of your ^dmind, that ye may ^eprove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, ^fwill of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to ^athink of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think ^bsoberly, according as ^cGod hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same ^aoffice: 5 So we, being many, are ^aone ^bbody in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the ^agrace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of ^bfaith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with ^acheerfulness.
9 Let love be without ^adissimulation. Abhor that which is ^bevil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly ^aaffectioned one to another with ^bbrotherly ^clove; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in ^abusiness; ^bfervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; ^apatient in ^btribulation; ^ccontinuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to ^ahospitality.
14 Bless them which ^apersecute you: bless, and ^bcurse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and ^aweep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but ^acondescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own ^bconceits.
17 ^aRecompense to no man ^bevil for evil. Provide things ^chonest in the ^dsight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you^a, live ^apeaceably with all men.	18^a If it be possible, as much as lieth in you Of oneself live peacably with all men 'if possible'. This is the responsibility we have to not give offenses unto any other out of no provocation. But in as much as it is not possible, in that the other well not leave you alone unto peace; one must proceed to protect oneself, family, rights, religion and property. Thus this is to live peacably as much as it is in one's own power to do so 'as lieth in you'. But wherein the offense does come from without by the hand of another, it is to one's self to so protect one's self in self defense.
19 Dearly beloved, ^aavenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine ^aenemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but ^aovercome evil with good.