Romans 12
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I beseech you therefore, brethren - This address is probably intended both for the Jews and the Gentiles; though some suppose that the Jews are addressed in the first verse, the Gentiles in the second. By the mercies of God! - Δια των οικτιρμων του Θεου· By the tender mercies or compassions of God, such as a tender father shows to his refractory children; who, on their humiliation, is easily persuaded to forgive their offenses. The word οικτιρμος comes from οικτος, compassion; and that from εικω, to yield; because he that has compassionate feelings is easily prevailed on to do a kindness, or remit an injury. That ye present your bodies - A metaphor taken from bringing sacrifices to the altar of God. The person offering picked out the choicest of his flock, brought it to the altar, and presented it there as an atonement for his sin. They are exhorted to give themselves up in the spirit of sacrifice; to be as wholly the Lord's property as the whole burnt-offering was, no part being devoted to any other use. A living sacrifice - In opposition to those dead sacrifices which they were in the habit of offering while in their Jewish state; and that they should have the lusts of the flesh mortified, that they might live to God. Holy - Without spot or blemish; referring still to the sacrifice required by the law. Acceptable unto God - Ευαρεστον· The sacrifice being perfect in its kind, and the intention of the offerer being such that both can be acceptable and well pleasing to God, who searches the heart. All these phrases are sacrificial, and show that there must be a complete surrender of the person - the body, the whole man, mind and flesh, to be given to God; and that he is to consider himself no more his own, but the entire property of his Maker. Your reasonable service - N…
Open source ↗DUTIES OF BELIEVERS, GENERAL AND PARTICULAR. (Rom. 12:1-21) I beseech you therefore--in view of all that has been advanced in the foregoing part of this Epistle. by the mercies of God--those mercies, whose free and unmerited nature, glorious Channel, and saving fruits have been opened up at such length. that ye present--See on Rom 6:13, where we have the same exhortation and the same word there rendered "yield" (as also in Rom 12:16, Rom 12:19). your bodies--that is, "yourselves in the body," considered as the organ of the inner life. As it is through the body that all the evil that is in the unrenewed heart comes forth into palpable manifestation and action, so it is through the body that all the gracious principles and affections of believers reveal themselves in the outward life. Sanctification extends to the whole man (Th1 5:23-24). a living sacrifice--in glorious contrast to the legal sacrifices, which, save as they were slain, were no sacrifices at all. The death of the one "Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world," has swept all dead victims from off the altar of God, to make room for the redeemed themselves as "living sacrifices" to Him who made "Him to be sin for us"; while every outgoing of their grateful hearts in praise, and every act prompted by the love of Christ, is itself a sacrifice to God of a sweet-smelling savor (Heb 13:15-16). holy--As the Levitical victims, when offered without blemish to God, were regarded as holy, so believers, "yielding themselves to God as those that are alive from the dead, and their members as instruments of righteousness unto God," are, in His estimation, not ritually but really "holy," and so acceptable--"well-pleasing" unto God--not as the Levitical offerings, merely as appointed symbols of spiritual ideas, but objec…
Open source ↗I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,.... The apostle having finished the doctrinal part of this epistle, proceeds to that which is more practical; and enforces the several duties of religion, upon the principles he had before laid down, a method generally observed by him in all his epistles. The illative particle "therefore", shows that the following exhortations are so many conclusions, consequences, and inferences, deduced from what had been said in the latter part of the preceding chapter; that since all things are of God, and by him and to him, then the saints ought to present their bodies to him, and to know, approve, and do his will; and since they have nothing but what they have received from him, they ought not to think too highly of, or glory in their attainments. The introduction to these exhortations, is in a very kind and affectionate manner; the saints are addressed as "brethren", and very appropriately; since this expresses the relation they stood in to the apostle, for whom he had an hearty love and concern; and therefore what he pressed them to was out of a sincere regard to their good, as well as to the glory of God; also their relation to each other, and which several of the duties he urges had a connection with; likewise their relation to God, being of his family, having one and the same Father, and so under obligation to regard his will, honour and reverence him: moreover, these things are moved, not in an imperious way, in an authoritative manner, but by way of entreaty, "I beseech you"; as an ambassador of Christ, and as though in his stead: nor are they enforced by terrors, threats, and menaces, but "by the mercies of God"; that is, the abundant mercy of God, displayed in their election, regeneration, and calling; than which,…
Open source ↗We may observe here, according to the scheme mentioned in the contents, the apostle's exhortations, I. Concerning our duty to God, We see what is godliness. 1. It is to surrender ourselves to God, and so to lay a good foundation. We must first give our own selves unto the Lord, Co2 8:5. This is here pressed as the spring of all duty and obedience, Rom 12:1, Rom 12:2. Man consists of body and soul, Gen 2:7; Ecc 12:7. (1.) The body must be presented to him, Rom 12:1. The body is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body, Co1 6:13, Co1 6:14. The exhortation is here introduced very pathetically: I beseech you, brethren. Though he was a great apostle, yet he calls the meanest Christians brethren, a term of affection and concern. He uses entreaty; this is the gospel way: As though God did beseech you by us, Co2 5:20. Though he might with authority command, yet for love's sake he rather beseeches, Plm 1:8, Plm 1:9. The poor useth entreaty, Pro 18:23. This is to insinuate the exhortation, that it might come with the more pleasing power. Many are sooner wrought upon if they be accosted kindly, are more easily led than driven. Now observe, [1.] The duty pressed - to present our bodies a living sacrifice, alluding to the sacrifices under the law, which were presented or set before God at the altar, ready to be offered to him. Your bodies - your whole selves; so expressed because under the law the bodies of beasts were offered in sacrifice, Co1 6:20. Our bodies and spirits are intended. The offering was sacrificed by the priest, but presented by the offerer, who transferred to God all his right, title, and interest in it, by laying his hand on the head of it. Sacrifice is here taken for whatsoever is by God's own appointment dedicated to himself; see Pe1 2:5. We are temple, priest, a…
Open source ↗12:1–15:13 This section of Romans sets out the moral and ethical demands of the Good News. God’s gift of salvation in Christ requires a response. God is not satisfied simply with forgiving our sin; he wants to transform our lives. Most of what Paul teaches concerning the moral duties of believers is paralleled in other letters. However, it also seems clear that he has chosen issues pertinent to the situation in Rome—most notably, the dispute between people who are weak in faith and people who are strong in faith (14:1–15:13). 12:1 Your bodies refers to the whole person in contact with the world, not just the physical body. • because of all he has done for you: As described in chs 1–11. • This is truly the way to worship him (or This is your spiritual worship; or This is your reasonable service): This phrase has at least three possible meanings: (1) Our sacrifice is reasonable in light of all God’s mercies; (2) our sacrifice is spiritual, not the offering of an animal but of ourselves in spiritual service; or (3) our sacrifice is intelligent, offered with complete awareness of God’s goodness to us.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
παρακαλέω (parakaléō, G3870) — to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) οἰκτιρμός (oiktirmós, G3628) — pity θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very παρίστημι (parístēmi, G3936) — to stand beside, i.e. (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend,… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you σῶμα (sōma, G4983) — the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively ζάω (záō, G2198) — to live (literally or figuratively) θυσία (thysía, G2378) — sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively) ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) εὐάρεστος (euárestos, G2101) — fully agreeable
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… συσχηματίζω (syschēmatízō, G4964) — to fashion alike, i.e. conform to the same pattern (figuratively) μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… τούτῳ (toútōi, G5129) — to (in, with or by) this (person or thing) αἰών (aiṓn, G165) — properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity (also past); by implication, the world;… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) μεταμορφόω (metamorphóō, G3339) — to transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose") ἀνακαίνωσις (anakaínōsis, G342) — renovation ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you νοῦς (noûs, G3563) — the intellect, i.e. mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication,… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) δοκιμάζω (dokimázō, G1381) — to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… μοί (moí, G3427) — to me πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… ὑπερφρονέω (hyperphronéō, G5252) — to esteem oneself overmuch, i.e. be vain or arrogant ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… καθάπερ (katháper, G2509) — exactly as ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… μέλος (mélos, G3196) — a limb or part of the body ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one σῶμα (sōma, G4983) — the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πρᾶξις (prâxis, G4234) — practice, i.e. (concretely) an act; by extension, a function
Open source ↗οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) ἐσμέν (esmén, G2070) — we are πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… εἷς (heîs, G1520) — one σῶμα (sōma, G4983) — the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… μέλος (mélos, G3196) — a limb or part of the body ἀλλήλων (allḗlōn, G240) — one another
Open source ↗ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. χάρισμα (chárisma, G5486) — a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a… διάφορος (diáphoros, G1313) — varying; also surpassing κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us εἴτε (eíte, G1535) — if too προφητεία (prophēteía, G4394) — prediction (scriptural or other) ἀναλογία (analogía, G356) — proportion πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of…
Open source ↗εἴτε (eíte, G1535) — if too διακονία (diakonía, G1248) — attendance (as a servant, etc.); figuratively (eleemosynary) aid, (official) service… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. διδάσκω (didáskō, G1321) — to teach (in the same broad application) διδασκαλία (didaskalía, G1319) — instruction (the function or the information)
Open source ↗εἴτε (eíte, G1535) — if too παρακαλέω (parakaléō, G3870) — to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. παράκλησις (paráklēsis, G3874) — imploration, hortation, solace μεταδίδωμι (metadídōmi, G3330) — to give over, i.e. share ἁπλότης (haplótēs, G572) — singleness, i.e. (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation or self-seeking), or… προΐστημι (proḯstēmi, G4291) — to stand before, i.e. (in rank) to preside, or (by implication) to practise σπουδή (spoudḗ, G4710) — "speed", i.e. (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness ἐλεέω (eleéō, G1653) — to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace) ἱλαρότης (hilarótēs, G2432) — alacrity
Open source ↗ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast ἀνυπόκριτος (anypókritos, G505) — undissembled, i.e. sincere ἀποστυγέω (apostygéō, G655) — to detest utterly πονηρός (ponērós, G4190) — hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from G2556… κολλάω (kolláō, G2853) — to glue, i.e. (passively or reflexively) to stick (figuratively) ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun)
Open source ↗φιλόστοργος (philóstorgos, G5387) — fond of natural relatives, i.e. fraternal towards fellow Christian εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἀλλήλων (allḗlōn, G240) — one another φιλαδελφία (philadelphía, G5360) — fraternal affection τιμή (timḗ, G5092) — a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem… προηγέομαι (proēgéomai, G4285) — to lead the way for others, i.e. show deference
Open source ↗μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ὀκνηρός (oknērós, G3636) — tardy, i.e. indolent; (figuratively) irksome σπουδή (spoudḗ, G4710) — "speed", i.e. (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness ζέω (zéō, G2204) — to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), i.e. (figuratively) be fervid (earnest) πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… δουλεύω (douleúō, G1398) — to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary) κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful…
Open source ↗χαίρω (chaírō, G5463) — to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation… ἐλπίς (elpís, G1680) — expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence ὑπομένω (hypoménō, G5278) — to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have… θλῖψις (thlîpsis, G2347) — pressure (literally or figuratively) προσκαρτερέω (proskarteréō, G4342) — to be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a… προσευχή (proseuchḗ, G4335) — prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
Open source ↗κοινωνέω (koinōnéō, G2841) — to share with others (objectively or subjectively) χρεία (chreía, G5532) — employment, i.e. an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) διώκω (diṓkō, G1377) — compare the base of G1169 (δειλός) and G1249 (διάκονος)); to pursue (literally or… φιλονεξία (philonexía, G5381) — hospitableness
Open source ↗εὐλογέω (eulogéō, G2127) — to speak well of, i.e. (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon,… διώκω (diṓkō, G1377) — compare the base of G1169 (δειλός) and G1249 (διάκονος)); to pursue (literally or… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… καταράομαι (kataráomai, G2672) — to execrate; by analogy, to doom μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?
How can I repay the LORD for all His goodness to me?
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.
Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.