Romans 12:9-21

Context

Conduct in Love

12:9 Love must be¹ 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.² Do not be conceited.³ 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.⁴ 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.⁵ 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath,⁶ for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,”⁷ 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.⁸ 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

[12:9] ¹tn The verb “must be” is understood in the Greek text.

[12:16] ²tn Or “but give yourselves to menial tasks.” The translation depends on whether one takes the adjective “lowly” as masculine or neuter.

[12:16] ³tn Grk “Do not be wise in your thinking.”

[12:17] ⁴tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used as a generic and refers to both men and women.

[12:18] ⁵tn Here ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used as a generic and refers to both men and women.

[12:19] ⁶tn Grk “the wrath,” referring to God’s wrath as the remainder of the verse shows.

[12:19] ⁷sn A quotation from Deut 32:35.

[12:20] ⁸sn A quotation from Prov 25:21-22.