Romanschapter 12

21 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 602 cross-references outward and receives 594 — heaviest partner: Romans.

Chapter summary

I beseech you therefore — by the mercies of God — present your bodies a living sacrifice. Be not conformed to this world; be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Sober self-estimation under the gifts given by grace. Love without dissimulation. Abhor evil; cleave to good. Bless them that persecute. Live peaceably with all men so far as lieth in you. Overcome evil with good. Calvin observes that the letter's long doctrine turns at this chapter into embodied life — living sacrifice is reasonable service.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Epistle · Paul — see the Romans overview for the book's full setting.

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.

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

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

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

5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.

6 And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;

7 or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry; or he that teacheth, to his teaching;

8 or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting: he that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.