Romans 12:4-21

12:4 For just as in one body we have many members, and not all the members serve the same function, 12:5 so we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually we are members who belong to one another. 12:6 And we have different gifts ¹  according to the grace given to us. If the gift is prophecy, that individual must use it in proportion to his faith. 12:7 If it is service, he must serve; if it is teaching, he must teach; 12:8 if it is exhortation, he must exhort; if it is contributing, he must do so with sincerity; if it is leadership, he must do so with diligence; if it is showing mercy, he must do so with cheerfulness.

Conduct in Love

12:9 Love must be ²  without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. 12:10 Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. 12:11 Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. 12:12 Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer. 12:13 Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality. 12:14 Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 12:16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. ³  Do not be conceited. ⁴  12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. ⁵  12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. ⁶  12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, ⁷  for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” ⁸  says the Lord. 12:20 Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. ⁹  12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

[12:6]  ¹ tn This word comes from the same root as “grace” in the following clause; it means “things graciously given,” “grace-gifts.”

[12:9]  ² tn The verb “must be” is understood in the Greek text.

[12:16]  ³ tn Or “but give yourselves to menial tasks.” The translation depends on whether one takes the adjective “lowly” as masculine or neuter.

[12:16]  ⁴ tn Grk “Do not be wise in your thinking.”

[12:17]  ⁵ tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used as a generic and refers to both men and women.

[12:18]  ⁶ tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used as a generic and refers to both men and women.

[12:19]  ⁷ tn Grk “the wrath,” referring to God’s wrath as the remainder of the verse shows.

[12:19]  ⁸ sn A quotation from Deut 32:35.

[12:20]  ⁹ sn A quotation from Prov 25:21-22.