Romans 12

A Living Sacrifice

1 z I appeal to you therefore, brothers, 1 by the mercies of God, a to present your bodies b as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 2 c Do not be conformed to this world, 3 but be transformed by d the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may e discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 4

Gifts of Grace

3 For f by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you g not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, h each according to i the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For j as in one body we have many members, 5 and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, k though many, l are one body in Christ, and individually m members one of another. 6 n Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if o prophecy, p in proportion to our faith; 7 if q service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; r the one who leads, 6 with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with s cheerfulness.

Marks of the True Christian

9 t Let love be genuine. u Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 v Love one another with brotherly affection. w Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, x be fervent in spirit, 7 y serve the Lord. 12 z Rejoice in hope, a be patient in tribulation, b be constant in prayer. 13 c Contribute to the needs of the saints and d seek to show hospitality.

14 e Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 f Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 g Live in harmony with one another. h Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. 8 i Never be wise in your own sight. 17 j Repay no one evil for evil, but k give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, l live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, m never avenge yourselves, but leave it 9 to the wrath of God, for it is written, n "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." 20 To the contrary, o "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

  1. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:10
    I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
    2 Corinthians 10:1
    I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ - I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away! -
    Ephesians 4:1
    I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
  2. Cross References
    Romans 6:13
    Do not present your members to sin as instrumen...
    Romans 6:16
    Do you not know that if you present yourselves ...
    Romans 6:19
    I am speaking in human terms, because of your n...
    Psalms 50:13 - 14
    Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood ...
    1 Corinthians 6:20
    For you were bought with a price. So glorify Go...
    1 Peter 2:5
    You yourselves like living stones are being bui...
  3. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:20
    By the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.
  4. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:14
    As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance.
    1 John 2:15
    Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  5. Cross References
    Titus 3:5
    He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
    Psalms 51:10
    Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
    2 Corinthians 4:16
    So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
    Ephesians 4:23
    And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.
    Colossians 3:10
    And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
  6. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:10
    And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
    1 Thessalonians 4:3
    For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 1:5
    Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.
  8. Cross References
    Romans 12:16
    Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
    Romans 11:20
    That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
  9. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:17
    Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
  10. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:7
    But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:12 - 14
    For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
    Ephesians 4:4
    There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call -
    Ephesians 4:16
    From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
  12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:17
    Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
    1 Corinthians 10:33
    Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:20
    As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
    Ephesians 4:13
    Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
    John 17:11
    And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
  14. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:25
    Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
    1 Corinthians 6:15
    Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!
    1 Corinthians 12:27
    Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
  15. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:4
    Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
    1 Peter 4:10 - 11
    As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
    1 Corinthians 7:7
    I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
    1 Corinthians 12:7 - 11
    To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
  16. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:10
    To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
    Acts 13:1
    Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
  17. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:15
    Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 6:1
    Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
  19. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:17
    Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
    1 Corinthians 12:28
    And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
  20. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 9:7
    Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:6
    By purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love.
    1 Timothy 1:5
    The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
    1 Peter 1:22
    Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 97:10
    O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
    Psalms 101:3
    I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.
    Amos 5:15
    Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
    1 Thessalonians 5:21 - 22
    But test everything; hold fast what is good.
  23. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:1
    Let brotherly love continue.
  24. Cross References
    Romans 13:7
    Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
    Philippians 2:3
    Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
    1 Peter 2:17
    Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
  25. Cross References
    Acts 18:25
    He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
  26. Cross References
    Acts 20:19
    Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews.
  27. Cross References
    Romans 5:2
    Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
  28. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
  29. Cross References
    Acts 1:14
    All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
  30. Cross References
    Romans 15:25
    At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem br...
    1 Corinthians 16:1
    Now concerning the collection for the saints: a...
    1 Corinthians 16:15
    Now I urge you, brothers - you know that the ho...
    2 Corinthians 9:1
    Now it is superfluous for me to write to you ab...
    2 Corinthians 9:12
    For the ministry of this service is not only su...
    Hebrews 6:10
    For God is not unjust so as to overlook your wo...
    Hebrews 13:16
    Do not neglect to do good and to share what you...
    1 Timothy 6:18
    They are to do good, to be rich in good works, ...
  31. Cross References
    Matthew 25:35
    For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
  32. Cross References
    Matthew 5:44
    But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
    1 Peter 3:9
    Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
  33. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:26
    If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
    Job 30:25
    Did not I weep for him whose day was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?
    Hebrews 13:3
    Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
  34. Cross References
    Romans 15:5
    May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.
    2 Corinthians 13:11
    Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
    Philippians 2:2
    Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
    Philippians 4:2
    I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
    1 Peter 3:8
    Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
  35. Cross References
    Romans 12:3
    For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
    Psalms 131:1
    O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
    Jeremiah 45:5
    And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go.
  36. Cross References
    Romans 11:25
    Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
    Proverbs 3:7
    Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
  37. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:22
    Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
    Matthew 5:39
    But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
    Romans 14:19
    So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
  38. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:21
    For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.
    Romans 14:16
    So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
  39. Cross References
    Mark 9:50
    Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.
  40. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:22
    Do not say, "I will repay evil"; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
    Matthew 5:39
    But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
    Romans 14:19
    So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
  41. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:30
    For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people.
    Deuteronomy 32:35
    Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.
    Psalms 94:1
    O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!
    1 Thessalonians 4:6
    That no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
  42. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:35
    Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.
  43. Cross References
    Proverbs 25:21 - 22
    If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
    Exodus 23:4 - 5
    If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him.
    2 Kings 6:22
    He answered, "You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.
    Luke 6:27
    But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
  44. Cross References
    Proverbs 25:21 - 22
    If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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