Romans 12
Summary. In this chapter, the Holy Spirit teaches believers to function in unity as one body with the beloved Son of God, do good to all, and trust the Lord God Almighty in all things, for He is the judge. Romans 12:1-15: Weare one body in Christ and members each one of another. The apostle speaking through the Holy Spirit urges believers to come offering their worshiping hearts as a sacrifice in glorifying the Lord God Almighty. Everybody receives the gift that fits for each individual from the Lord God Almighty; those abilities are for using to glorify the Lord God Almighty and help others. All true believers are in one body with the beloved Son of God and function in unity as one to glorify the Lord God Almighty. Romans 12:16-21: Do good, be at peace with all men, and give all to the Lord; He is the judge. The Lord God Almighty wants every believer to have peace between each other and be humble toward one another. When your heart is full with the peace of God, your heart will lead you to do good to everybody. Give all to the Lord God Almighty, for He will judge everyone for their own sins. Feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, physically and spiritually, helping both the body and the soul, and overcome evil with good.
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I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the compassions of God , to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God -- your spiritual service.
Comments Romans 12:1
“... to present your bodies a living sacrifice.” The apostle with compassion for all humans urges the believers to come offering their worshiping hearts as a sacrifice in glorifying the Lord God Almighty. Remember the apostle speaks through the Holy Spirit; the compassion of the Lord also passes through the apostle himself as well. When the heart is purified, it will make the body fit in worship.
“Holy, acceptable to God -- your spiritual service.” When the honest heart, that heart offered as a sacrifice to worship, that is the heart that the Lord God Almighty is pleased and glad to receive.
“Holy, acceptable to God -- your spiritual service.” When the honest heart, that heart offered as a sacrifice to worship, that is the heart that the Lord God Almighty is pleased and glad to receive.
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And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, for your proving what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God .
Comments Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world, but ...” The world is full of the influence and power of the dark mind; be a true believer, do not let the influence of the world sway what has been given to you; the Lord God Almighty dwells in your heart, the Holy Spirit is guiding your soul. Listen to the small whispering voice in your heart, and the world itself can notice the difference of the heart in you. Regardless of who and where they say something against or approve your understanding, the Lord in your heart will guide you to the right path. Those that are seeking with honest hearts can feel and not only see that you are behaving according to the teachings of the Holy Bible, and you do not follow the world’s teachings or the influence of someone in this world.
“For your proving what is the good and ...” Anyone who follows the guidance of the Holy Bible and listens to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the world itself can notice it, and they will turn and think about what is true in their life before encountering what you are doing. When you act out according to the guidance of the Lord in your heart, do not worry; you will be famous not in this world but in the world to come.
“For your proving what is the good and ...” Anyone who follows the guidance of the Holy Bible and listens to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the world itself can notice it, and they will turn and think about what is true in their life before encountering what you are doing. When you act out according to the guidance of the Lord in your heart, do not worry; you will be famous not in this world but in the world to come.
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For I say, through the grace having been given to me, to everyone being among you, not to think more highly above what it behooves you to think; but to think so as to be sober-minded, as God has allotted a measure of faith.
Comments Romans 12:3
“For I say, through the grace ...” The Lord God Almighty has sent His faithful apostle to tell all listeners: everyone that hears and meditates on the message will receive the understanding.
“Not to think more highly above what it behooves ...” Everybody receives the gift that fits for each individual from the Lord God Almighty; what you have received is fit for you to use, but at the same time do not forget who gives you those abilities. Those abilities are for using to glorify the Lord God Almighty and help others.
“But to think so as to be sober-minded ...” The Lord God Almighty gives each individual according to His plan. Do not be proud of yourself that you receive a higher gift than others. Every gift is not for yourself, but for helping others and guiding them the right way to glorify and give glory to the Lord God Almighty.
Q: How does one identify that the gift is genuinely from God? A: You can identify the gift; when the situation comes, suddenly you have the ability to see and understand how to solve or stop the situation. The main thing to think is that also the Lord never wants us to use the gift in hurting or embarrassing anyone.
“Not to think more highly above what it behooves ...” Everybody receives the gift that fits for each individual from the Lord God Almighty; what you have received is fit for you to use, but at the same time do not forget who gives you those abilities. Those abilities are for using to glorify the Lord God Almighty and help others.
“But to think so as to be sober-minded ...” The Lord God Almighty gives each individual according to His plan. Do not be proud of yourself that you receive a higher gift than others. Every gift is not for yourself, but for helping others and guiding them the right way to glorify and give glory to the Lord God Almighty.
Q: How does one identify that the gift is genuinely from God? A: You can identify the gift; when the situation comes, suddenly you have the ability to see and understand how to solve or stop the situation. The main thing to think is that also the Lord never wants us to use the gift in hurting or embarrassing anyone.
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For just as we have many members in one body, and not all the members have the same function;
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so we, the many, are one body in Christ , and members each one of another.
Comments Romans 12:4-5
Let all believers think these verses carefully. The Lord God Almighty is One. The beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, is God above all creation; He is One. The Trinity of God is three Persons (God the Father, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit) but works as One body. Every Person of the Trinity needs one another to complete the function as One.
All true believers are in one body with the beloved Son of God. Every part of the body functions as the Lord God Almighty has created it: function in unity as one; that is the purpose of creation; and all functions come together to give thanks and glorify the Lord God Almighty.
Here, when talking about the believers functioning in a church, we also need to remember the free choice of each individual. Some choose to disobey, but they still are part of the function, and the Lord God Almighty will judge them; the punishment will also be upon them.
All true believers are in one body with the beloved Son of God. Every part of the body functions as the Lord God Almighty has created it: function in unity as one; that is the purpose of creation; and all functions come together to give thanks and glorify the Lord God Almighty.
Here, when talking about the believers functioning in a church, we also need to remember the free choice of each individual. Some choose to disobey, but they still are part of the function, and the Lord God Almighty will judge them; the punishment will also be upon them.
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However, we are having gifts according to the grace that was given to us different: if prophecy, according to the proportion of the faith;
Comments Romans 12:6
“We are having gifts according to the grace ...” The Lord God Almighty guided His apostle to tell everyone that the apostle’s work itself has been guided through the Holy Spirit, by the will of the Lord God Almighty. The mercy and love are not from the apostle himself alone. What the Lord God Almighty tells His apostle to say is not only for one group of people, but the good news of the holy work through the apostle will also be established to all the people who will hear the good news.
“If prophecy, according to the proportion of the faith.” The work in spreading the good news must be told clearly; that is what the Lord God Almighty wants, and the guidance cannot be changed, but all that have true faith must follow strictly, and the Lord God Almighty will give the word to His elect. The guidance relates to the doctrine that has been given. All words of prophecy must follow the Word of God.
“If prophecy, according to the proportion of the faith.” The work in spreading the good news must be told clearly; that is what the Lord God Almighty wants, and the guidance cannot be changed, but all that have true faith must follow strictly, and the Lord God Almighty will give the word to His elect. The guidance relates to the doctrine that has been given. All words of prophecy must follow the Word of God.
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or ministry, in the ministry; or teaching, in the teaching;
Comments Romans 12:7
“Or ministry, in the ministry.” As the verse says, the Lord God Almighty gives to people what is needed to be done, and the persons do have a duty in doing what gift they have received. The ministry in this place is an action acted out with faith that the Lord God Almighty has given the ability also to perform according to the guidance. Some will have the action in glorifying the Lord God Almighty: this action becomes as a word for other people when they see that action. Humans should glorify the Lord not only by words alone but by action as well. Others will have a ministry of service, but that action still needs to be within the ministry.
“Or teaching, in the teaching.” The Lord God Almighty also grants ability to specific persons to teach; that teaching is the teaching of the doctrine and the way that humans should glorify the Lord God Almighty. It must also teach everyone at the same time that all things must be according to the Word of God. When teaching anyone, the teaching must also remind them that all things link back to the Lord God Almighty who created them. The Lord God Almighty created everything for a purpose: to glorify Him and Him alone, for He deserves all the glory and honor.
“Or teaching, in the teaching.” The Lord God Almighty also grants ability to specific persons to teach; that teaching is the teaching of the doctrine and the way that humans should glorify the Lord God Almighty. It must also teach everyone at the same time that all things must be according to the Word of God. When teaching anyone, the teaching must also remind them that all things link back to the Lord God Almighty who created them. The Lord God Almighty created everything for a purpose: to glorify Him and Him alone, for He deserves all the glory and honor.
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or exhorting, in the exhortation: giving, in generosity; ruling with diligence: showing mercy, with cheerfulness,
Comments Romans 12:8
“Exhorting, in the exhortation: giving, in generosity.” The heart of true believers receives the guidance and energy from the Lord God Almighty; when the heart wants to do good and exhort (giving good feeling) and help other believers, that heart will receive the guidance and energy to exhort. This is also considered a gift from the Lord God Almighty: to give help not only physical help but mental help in guiding others to have faith and stay firm in faith.
Note: giving in generosity qualifies the gift of exhorting, so this portion of the verse is connected together.
“Ruling with diligence: showing mercy ...” The heart that receives the gift from the Lord God Almighty will be fair and just; when looking out to other believers the heart will not have any negative feelings toward anyone. When having no negative feelings, the giving will be fair and just. The heart that is fair and just has cheerfulness in itself.
Note: this part of the verse relates to the gift of ruling with diligence; verses 9 continues to qualify this gift.
Note: giving in generosity qualifies the gift of exhorting, so this portion of the verse is connected together.
“Ruling with diligence: showing mercy ...” The heart that receives the gift from the Lord God Almighty will be fair and just; when looking out to other believers the heart will not have any negative feelings toward anyone. When having no negative feelings, the giving will be fair and just. The heart that is fair and just has cheerfulness in itself.
Note: this part of the verse relates to the gift of ruling with diligence; verses 9 continues to qualify this gift.
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the love sincere, abhorring evil, cleaving to good;
Comments Romans 12:9
“The love sincere, abhorring evil.” The pure love from the Lord God Almighty in that heart will lead that heart and mind to be fair to all that come in their path. If that heart has been guided by the love of the Lord God Almighty, that heart will abhor evil and rule in justice.
“Cleaving to good.” The pure heart will hold on to do good to all without prejudging or being unfair.
“Cleaving to good.” The pure heart will hold on to do good to all without prejudging or being unfair.
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in brotherly love devoted to one another, in honor esteeming one another;
Comments Romans 12:10
“In brotherly love devoted to one another.” To make the nation strong, the Lord God Almighty also wants all His children (referring to all humans here) to love one another; remember always how the Lord God Almighty loves all humans; they also must love each other as they have been loved. In every nation people must love each other; in each nation love is important.
“In honor esteeming one another.” Humans always try to be first, but love and respect for one another will help every heart to not think of themselves first.
“In honor esteeming one another.” Humans always try to be first, but love and respect for one another will help every heart to not think of themselves first.
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in diligence not slothful; being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord ,
Comments Romans 12:11
“In diligence not slothful.” Duty is duty, and must be performed; being smart does not mean not doing the duty. The Lord God Almighty gives you intelligence; do not sit on it but use it. Being loved does not mean no work; follow the voice in your heart, and be diligent in all things that you do.
“Being fervent in spirit ...” When the heart is straight and follows the commandments of God, the spirit of man will obey the commandments and glorify the Lord God Almighty. The Lord God Almighty always wants to see humans worship Him not only by mouth but by their spirit and heart. When the spirit follows the voice of the Holy Spirit and the commandments of God in worship, that is serving the Lord. When the head and the heart agree to the voice that whispers, then the spirit will worship the Lord.
“Being fervent in spirit ...” When the heart is straight and follows the commandments of God, the spirit of man will obey the commandments and glorify the Lord God Almighty. The Lord God Almighty always wants to see humans worship Him not only by mouth but by their spirit and heart. When the spirit follows the voice of the Holy Spirit and the commandments of God in worship, that is serving the Lord. When the head and the heart agree to the voice that whispers, then the spirit will worship the Lord.
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rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer,
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sharing the necessities of the saints, pursuing hospitality.
Comments Romans 12:12-13
Let true believers think of these phrases carefully. The Lord God Almighty created humans in His likeness for a purpose, that when humans look at one another, deep in their souls they will realize the purpose of creation in them. Also, they can notice that the Lord God Almighty wants everyone to come in prayer and be happy and joyful, knowing that only humans can be that close so that the Lord God Almighty pays attention to their hearts of prayer; when their mouths proclaim the faith, heaven cheers up, echoing out so the joyful praises reach the throne of the Lord God Most High.
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Bless those persecuting you. Bless, and curse not;
Comments Romans 12:14
Remember all readers, the Bible also tells us, revenge is not yours; when someone does bad to you, give it to the Lord God Almighty. Also, the Lord God Almighty wants you to be an example for all, follow the commandments of God, and love everybody as you have been loved. When someone is hurt and crying, the Lord God Almighty will comfort them; you yourself have a duty in prayer and to beg for mercy.
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rejoice with the rejoicing, weep with the weeping.
Comments Romans 12:15
The Lord God Almighty wants all true believers to think of others as you think for yourself. When someone is in trouble and feels bad, be with them in feeling bad, not just look at them and walk by without stirring your heart to feel with them. Having the feeling sensitive to someone else’s problem will give you peace. When you look and join the feeling for all, happy or sad, you are part of it.
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Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but going along with the humble. Be not wise in yourselves.
Comments Romans 12:16
“Be of the same mind one toward another.” When the mind is pure of negative feelings, that mind will join with another mind in peace. The Lord God Almighty wants every believer to have peace between each other; the world itself has problems, but do not let the troubles of the world make peace between believers disappear.
“Set not your mind on high things ...” Among believers do not try to lift yourself up above others; the Lord God Almighty has given many examples of humility in the Holy Word. Even the beloved Son of God Himself came down to be humble; all believers should take Him as an example and be humble toward one another.
“Be not wise in yourselves.” Give attention; wise is being smart, but do not try to be smarter than others. The humble of heart, that is the key to have; when you yourself do not lift up yourself, you are humble. The Holy Spirit will guide the heart to have peace; the lifting up will not be from yourselves, but others will do.
“Set not your mind on high things ...” Among believers do not try to lift yourself up above others; the Lord God Almighty has given many examples of humility in the Holy Word. Even the beloved Son of God Himself came down to be humble; all believers should take Him as an example and be humble toward one another.
“Be not wise in yourselves.” Give attention; wise is being smart, but do not try to be smarter than others. The humble of heart, that is the key to have; when you yourself do not lift up yourself, you are humble. The Holy Spirit will guide the heart to have peace; the lifting up will not be from yourselves, but others will do.
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Giving back to no one evil for evil, foreseeing good before all men;
Comments Romans 12:17
“Giving back to no one evil for evil.” When you see someone do bad things, the Holy Spirit in you will stir your heart that it is the wrong thing to do; listen to the voice whispering and stop yourself from following those bad things. We do not need to do the same bad as others do.
“Foreseeing good before all men.” The one that has invited the Holy Spirit to dwell in their heart, the Lord God Almighty will guide that one to follow the commandments and be an example for all people. When you do good to people, the one who receives good in their mind and heart will always think why you do good to them; the Lord wants you to be a good example for people to see the difference and think of God.
“Foreseeing good before all men.” The one that has invited the Holy Spirit to dwell in their heart, the Lord God Almighty will guide that one to follow the commandments and be an example for all people. When you do good to people, the one who receives good in their mind and heart will always think why you do good to them; the Lord wants you to be a good example for people to see the difference and think of God.
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if possible out of you, be at peace with all men.
Comments Romans 12:18
When your heart is full with the peace of God, your heart will lead you to do good to everybody. As the Lord God Almighty is good to all humans, you do good to all and be at peace with all.
Q: What does it really mean when the verse says “if possible out of you”? A: That only means if inside you have the Holy Spirit, you will do only what the whispering voice of the Holy Spirit is telling you.
Q: What does it really mean when the verse says “if possible out of you”? A: That only means if inside you have the Holy Spirit, you will do only what the whispering voice of the Holy Spirit is telling you.
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Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath, for it has been written: Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord .
Comments Romans 12:19
“Avenge not yourselves, beloved.” Give attention true believers: you are called beloved. The Lord God Almighty loves you more than how much human words can tell. Do not keep for yourself things that are not for you to carry; the love of God covers all burdens and troubles. Life has hard times, but also always there is a way out.
“But give place to wrath, for it has been written.” When it says “it has been written” also you should think as well that the Lord God Almighty knows everything ahead of time; what happens is not for you to carry any further, give all to the Lord God Almighty, do not hold anything back.
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay ...” This is the place all believers should give attention to: the Lord God Almighty takes it all upon Him; do not worry. The Lord God Almighty will judge everyone for their own sins, and the punishment will be according to each one’s own sins. No one needs to carry the hardship, anger, and sadness of this time; no one needs to be responsible; all will end at the judgment time. The blessings and punishment will be on each one’s own.
“But give place to wrath, for it has been written.” When it says “it has been written” also you should think as well that the Lord God Almighty knows everything ahead of time; what happens is not for you to carry any further, give all to the Lord God Almighty, do not hold anything back.
“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay ...” This is the place all believers should give attention to: the Lord God Almighty takes it all upon Him; do not worry. The Lord God Almighty will judge everyone for their own sins, and the punishment will be according to each one’s own sins. No one needs to carry the hardship, anger, and sadness of this time; no one needs to be responsible; all will end at the judgment time. The blessings and punishment will be on each one’s own.
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On the contrary, if your enemy be hungry, feed him; if he thirsts, give him to drink; for doing so you will heap coals of fire upon his head.
Comments Romans 12:20
“If your enemy be hungry, feed him.” The enemy is the one that tries to pursue you to not follow the commandments of God. If you see that he is physically hungry, give him food; but at the same time the Lord God Almighty wants you to feed his soul with the Holy Word. The Lord God Almighty wants everyone to have the true knowledge, even the ones that you see talking against the commandments.
“If he thirsts, give him to drink.” When the soul thirsts, the suffering of the soul’s thirst is greater than physical thirst. The drink that you have in you, which the Lord God Almighty has sent for all people, is the beloved Son of God’s Word which is written down in the Holy Bible; that will quench the thirst of the soul; give him that.
“For doing so you will heap coals ...” When you offer the proper food for the stomach and the soul, which will help the soul to avoid suffering, but the person rejects it, the suffering will multiply; even for the physical, after eating still one will want more to eat, but in the spiritual world the suffering multiplies more than the mind can understand. The spiritual world does not eat food but needs peace; that is the suffering in the spiritual world: lack of peace with God.
“If he thirsts, give him to drink.” When the soul thirsts, the suffering of the soul’s thirst is greater than physical thirst. The drink that you have in you, which the Lord God Almighty has sent for all people, is the beloved Son of God’s Word which is written down in the Holy Bible; that will quench the thirst of the soul; give him that.
“For doing so you will heap coals ...” When you offer the proper food for the stomach and the soul, which will help the soul to avoid suffering, but the person rejects it, the suffering will multiply; even for the physical, after eating still one will want more to eat, but in the spiritual world the suffering multiplies more than the mind can understand. The spiritual world does not eat food but needs peace; that is the suffering in the spiritual world: lack of peace with God.
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Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Comments Romans 12:21
“Be not overcome by evil.” When humans become believers, also self-confidence comes that they have the power to put down the evil one. Evil in the world will try to make your faith go dim; stay in prayer and meditate on the Holy Word, that is the fight against the evil that all believers should use.
“But overcome evil with good.” The Lord God Almighty had a plan to eliminate all evil by sending the beloved Son of God to give the evil one a chance to change and avoid being eliminated. The Lord God Almighty did good to evil by offering a chance for surviving through the Lord Jesus. But the evil one (the master) rejected the good will of the Lord God Almighty and crucified the beloved Son of God; the evil one, to the core, now has one destiny: to be destroyed.
“But overcome evil with good.” The Lord God Almighty had a plan to eliminate all evil by sending the beloved Son of God to give the evil one a chance to change and avoid being eliminated. The Lord God Almighty did good to evil by offering a chance for surviving through the Lord Jesus. But the evil one (the master) rejected the good will of the Lord God Almighty and crucified the beloved Son of God; the evil one, to the core, now has one destiny: to be destroyed.
Life and Faith Applications. 1) Keep your heart purified, and that will make your body fit in worship. 2) As a believer, follow the guidance of the Holy Bible and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and the world itself can notice your faith. 3) The Lord blesses each person with a gift that is fit for them; use the gift to help others and glorify the Lord God Almighty. There are many gifts the Lord gives, but as the Trinity of God is One, believers must function in unity as one. 4) Love one another in the name of the Lord Jesus; do good to all, including your enemies, helping them with their physical needs and blessing their souls with the good news about the Lord Jesus. 5) Be at peace with all people; give all your troubles to the Lord and let the Lord be the judge of all.