Aa
A Living Sacrifice
1Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you12:1 1Co 1:10; 2Co 10:2; Eph 4:1; 1Pt 2:11 to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,12:1 Rm 6:13,16,19; 1Co 6:20; Heb 13:15; 1Pt 2:5 holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.12:1 Or your reasonable service
2Do not be conformed12:2 1Pt 1:14 to this age,12:2 Mt 13:22; Gl 1:4; 1Jn 2:15 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,12:2 Eph 4:23; Ti 3:5 so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will12:2 Eph 5:10,17; Col 1:9 of God.
Many Gifts but One Body
3For by the grace12:3 Rm 1:5; 15:15; 1Co 3:10; 15:10; Gl 2:9; Eph 3:7–8 given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think.12:3 Rm 11:20 Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith12:3 1Co 7:17; 2Co 10:13; Eph 4:7; 1Pt 4:11 to each one.
4Now as we have many parts in one body,12:4 1Co 12:12–14; Eph 4:4,16 and all the parts do not have the same function,
5in the same way we who are many12:5 1Co 10:17,23 are one body in Christ12:5 1Co 12:20,27; Eph 4:12,25 and individually members of one another.
6According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:12:6 1Co 7:7; 12:4; 1Pt 4:10–11 If prophecy,12:6 Ac 13:1; 1Co 12:10 use it according to the proportion of one’s12:6 Or the, also in v. 19 faith;
7if service,12:7 Ac 6:1; 1Co 12:28 use it in service; if teaching,12:7 Ac 13:1; 1Co 14:26 in teaching;
8if exhorting,12:8 Ac 4:36; 11:23; 13:15 in exhortation; giving, with generosity;12:8 2Co 8:2; 9:11,13 leading,12:8 1Co 12:28; 1Tm 5:17 with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.12:8 2Co 9:7
Christian Ethics
9Let love be without hypocrisy.12:9 2Co 6:6; 1Tm 1:5 Detest evil;12:9 1Th 5:21–22 cling to what is good.
10Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.12:10 Jn 13:34; 1Th 4:9; Heb 13:1; 2Pt 1:7 Take the lead in honoring one another.12:10 Rm 13:7; Php 2:3; 1Pt 2:17
11Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit;12:11 Or in spirit12:11 Ac 18:25 serve the Lord.12:11 Ac 20:19
12Rejoice in hope;12:12 Rm 5:2 be patient in affliction;12:12 Heb 10:32,36 be persistent in prayer.12:12 Ac 1:14
13Share with the saints in their needs;12:13 Rm 15:25; 1Co 16:15; 2Co 9:1; Heb 6:10 pursue hospitality.12:13 Mt 25:35; 1Tm 3:2
14Bless those who persecute you;12:14 Mt 5:44; Lk 6:22; 1Co 4:12 bless and do not curse.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice;12:15 Jb 30:25; Heb 13:3 weep with those who weep.
16Live in harmony with one another.12:16 Rm 15:5; 2Co 13:11; Php 2:2; 4:2; 1Pt 3:8 Do not be proud;12:16 Rm 11:20 instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.12:16 Rm 11:25; Pr 3:7
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil.12:17 Pr 20:22; 24:29 Give careful thought to do what is honorable12:17 2Co 8:21 in everyone’s eyes.
18If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.12:18 Mk 9:50; Rm 14:19
19Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,12:19Dt 32:3512:19 Dt 32:35; Ps 94:1; 1Th 4:6; Heb 10:30 says the Lord.
20But
If your enemy is hungry, feed him. 12:20 Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27
If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
For in so doing
you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. 12:20 Pr 25:21–22 12:20 2Kg 6:22; Pr 25:21–22
21Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.