Romans 12

Romans 12 begins the letter's section of practical exhortation (chapters 12–15), which follows the doctrinal portion of chapters 1–11 and its closing doxology in Romans 11:33–36. The opening word "therefore" is understood to ground the call for a transformed life in the mercies of God set forth in the preceding chapters.

Outline

• Verses 1–2 Paul urges believers to present their bodies as a holy, living sacrifice and not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, so that they may discern the will of God.
• Verses 3–8 He exhorts them to think of themselves according to the measure of faith and compares the church to one body with many members. He lists seven gifts: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation (rendered "comfort" in the New Korean Revised Version), giving, ruling, and showing mercy.
• Verses 9–13 He calls for love without hypocrisy, brotherly affection, zeal, hope, patience, and prayer, as well as meeting the needs of the saints and practicing hospitality.
• Verses 14–16 He instructs them to bless those who persecute them, to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, and to condescend to those of low estate.
• Verses 17–21 He forbids repaying evil for evil and urges peace with all people. Quoting the Old Testament, he tells them to leave vengeance to God and to give their enemies food and drink, and he concludes with the command to overcome evil with good.

Key Verses

• Romans 12:1 "That ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God." This verse is often cited as extending worship to the dedication of one's whole life.
• Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." This is a standard text in discussions of Christian transformation and discernment.
• Romans 12:21 "Overcome evil with good." This verse concludes the exhortations of verses 17–21.

People and Places

• Paul: The author of the letter, who speaks in the first person: "I beseech you."
• Rome: The city where the church that received the letter was located. No people or places are mentioned by name in the chapter itself.

Points for Reflection

• The phrase "spiritual worship" in verse 1 (KJV "reasonable service") translates the Greek logikēn latreian. Because it can also be rendered "rational" or "fitting" worship, translations differ in their wording.
• The list of gifts in verses 6–8 is used, together with the lists in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4, in discussions of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Views differ on whether gifts such as prophecy continue today: Pentecostal and charismatic churches hold that they continue, while some Reformed traditions hold that they ceased with the apostolic age (see Cessationism and Continuationism).
• Verse 19 quotes Deuteronomy 32, and verse 20 quotes Proverbs 25:21–22. Interpretations of "thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head" vary. A widely known reading holds that the enemy will be moved to shame and repentance, while another view understands it in terms of judgment.
• Verses 14–21 are often read alongside Jesus' teaching on love for enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27–36). The following chapter, Romans 13, addresses governing authorities and the commandment of love.

In the Korean Church

Verses 1–2, with their expressions "living sacrifice" and "spiritual worship," are frequently used as sermon texts on worship and dedication. Verses 4–8 are commonly cited when explaining the church as one body and teaching service according to one's gifts.