Romans 12
1 Therefore, Family, I encourage you to present your bodies through God’s compassiona as a sacrifice that is alive, sacred, and pleasing to God, which is your logicalb representative service.c 2 Don’t be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renovation of the mind with the result that you discern what God’s desire is—what is beneficial and pleasing and complete.
3 Through what has been generously given to me, I say to everyone who is among you not to think of yourselves as above others alongside what it is necessary to think, but to think about being thoughtful, since God has distributed a portion of trusting faithfulness to each person. 4 You see, just like within one body we have many parts, but the parts don’t all have the same function, 5 in the same way, we are many parts and one body in connection with Christ, and each person is a part of each other. 6 As we hold various gifts, we do so based on what is generously given to us, whether prophecy in proportion with being given faithful trust, 7 or service with being given service, or teaching with being given teaching, 8 or encouragement with being given encouragement. Whoever shares something, do so based on genuinely wanting to do so.d Whoever stands as a protector,e do so based on earnestly wanting to do so.f Whoever shows committed compassion, do so based on being happy to do so.g
9 Love must be without pretending. Since you are horrified at what causes harm and are joined together by what is beneficial, 10 and since you are mutually affectionate with familial love toward each other and lead the way in valuing each other, 11 and since you are not hesitant in earnestness and are bubbling over with Life-breath and are enslaved workers for the Lord, 12 and since you celebrate the hope and endure the oppression and persevere with prayer, 13 and since you share in meeting the needs of those who are designated for sacred purposes and pursue hospitality, 14 wish well-being on those who pursue you with intent to harm; wish them well,h and do not wish them hardship.i 15 Celebrate with those who celebrate. Weep with those who weep. 16 Think of each other as equals,j not thinking of yourselves as higher but yielding to those of low status. Do not come to think of yourselves as exceptional. 17 Not paying back harm for harm to anyone and considering what is beneficial from the perspective of all people, 18 as far as it is up to you, be at peace with all people. 19 Loved ones, that includes not avenging yourselves. Instead, give anger space since it is written, “Carrying out justice is for me to do; I will repay it,”k says the Lord. 20 Rather, if the one who is hostile to you is hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. Doing so piles up burning coals on their headl.”m 21 Do not be conquered by harmfulness, but instead conquer harmfulness with beneficialness to others.n
FOOTNOTES:
a Literally, ‘intestines’ or ‘womb’
b Referring to flowing from the logic—or way of thinking—presented the preceding chapters.
c The word here is more specific than just ‘service.’ It pertains specifically to acting as a representative for a deity or ruling figure and performing the ritual duties associated with that role, such as the priests performing sacrifices in the temple.
d Literally, ‘according to the standard of genuineness’ or ‘with regard to genuineness’
e Or ‘stands as a leader’ or ‘is a leader’ or ‘acts as a champion’ or ‘acts as an avenger.’ In various ways, it means to ‘take responsibility for others,’ and most literally, it means to stand at the front, ahead of others (not in front of an audience but more like at the front of a procession).
f Literally, ‘according to the standard of earnestness’ or ‘with regard to earnestness’
g Literally, ‘according to the standard of happiness’ or ‘with regard to happiness.’
h Or ‘speak well over them,’ traditionally, ‘bless’
i Or ‘speak against them,’ traditionally, ‘curse.’
j Literally, ‘think the same toward each other.’
k Reference to Deuteronomy 32:35
l This idiom is strange in English, but in the Hebrew mind, it implies drawing someone’s attention to the burden they carry of their own deviation as something they would want to rid themselves of by the contrast of your own loving faithfulness toward them.
m Quotation of Proverbs 25:21-22
n Traditionally, ‘good.’ It is not the dualistic ‘good’ that is a value or quality judgment or a statement of obedience to rules. The word inherently carries a sense of being good to others, of being kind and generous and an advocate for people’s needs.