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Chapter of the New Testament From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Romans 12 is the twelfth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, while he was in Corinth in the mid-50s AD,[1] with the help of an amanuensis (secretary), Tertius, who adds his own greeting in Romans 16:22.[2]
Romans 12 | |
---|---|
Book | Epistle to the Romans |
Category | Pauline epistles |
Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 6 |
The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 21 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
— Romans 12:1, New King James Version[4]
The first letter of Peter uses a similar expressions:
You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ
— 1 Peter 2:5, New King James Version[5]
Paul speaks of "reasonable service (worship)", (τὴν λογικὴν λατρείαν, tēn logikēn latreian) in contrast to the λατρεια, latreia, 'worship' which formed part of the Jewish covenant with God (Romans 9:4).[6] Lutheran theologian Johann Albrecht Bengel summarises the contrasts to which Paul refers:
The service [worship], λατρέια, of the Gentiles is unreasonable, ἄλογος, (cf. Romans 1:18–25), the confidence of the Jews is unreasonable, ἄλογος, Romans 2:3), but the Christian considers all things rightly, and collects [infers] his duty from the kindness of a merciful God. The epithet λογικὴν now corresponds to that verb, λογίζεσθαι, which is often used (Romans 3:28, Romans 6:11 and Romans 8:18).[7]
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
— Romans 12:2, New King James Version[8]
Verses 3–8 is in a form of sermon, closely paralleled by 1 Corinthians 12:12–28.[32][33] Paul starts the exhortation first to the humility and Christian unity, reflecting that he writes from Corinth, "the native habitat of spiritual pride and factional division" (cf. 1 Corinthians 1–4).[33] A major difference with the epistle to the Corinthians is that the list of gifts in verses 6–8 includes gifts of exhortation, generosity, and compassion but not deeds of power, healings, and tongues as found in 1 Corinthians 12:28.[34][33] In Romans the gifts are not related specifically to the activity of the Holy Spirit.[33]
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
— Romans 12:3, New King James Version[35]
Described by Moo as "love and its manifestations", verses 9–21 are proverbial in tone, a style known as parenesis. Some verses echo the Old Testament, notably 16c, 19c, and 20, while others are reflections of Jesus' teachings (especially 14, 17, 18 and 21).[46]
William Barclay suggests that in verses 9 to 13, "Paul presents his people with [twelve] telegraphic rules for everyday life".[47]
Verses 17–21 form a chiasm, bracketed by lines containing the word "evil" – verse 17a and verse 21. The next layer comprising verses 17b–18 and verse 20, deals with the way to treat non-Christians. The central portion is the prohibition of vengeance.[46]
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
— Romans 12:19, New King James Version[48]
Part of this verse – "I will repay" or in older translations "vengeance is mine" ("Vengeance is mine, and recompense", in the English Standard Version) – is a quotation from Deuteronomy 32:35.[49] Paul's instruction here is not to be vengeful. John Wycliffe and his colleagues translated as "not defending yourselves" (Romans 12:19).[50]
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
— Romans 12:21, New King James Version[51]
This verse is a comprehensive summary of Romans 12:19–20, that is, "be not carried away to revenge and retaliation (verse 19) by evil which is committed against you, but overcome the evil by the good which you show to your enemy (verse 20), put to shame by your noble spirit, ceases to act malignantly against you and becomes your friend".[10][52]
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