Romans 12:21 - Good Versus Evil Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Truth to Learn The proper way for a Christian to combat evil is with good. Behind the Words The word translated “overcome” is nikaō, a verb form of the noun nikē, which refers...
Romans 12:20 – Mercy, Not Vengeance
Romans 12:20 - Mercy, Not Vengeance Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Truth to Learn Do not take vengeance. Instead, show mercy. Behind the Words “Heap” is...
Romans 12:19 – Who’s The Judge
Romans 12:19 - Who's The Judge Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Truth to Learn There is only one Judge and we need to let Him do His job. Behind the Words...
Romans 12:18 – Be At Peace
Romans 12:18 - Be At Peace If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Truth to Learn Christians should be peace-seeking people. Behind the Words The word translated “it is possible” is dunaton, a word we’ve seen before. It refers to “power, authority,...
Romans 12:17 – Reactive or Proactive?
Romans 12:17 - Reactive or Proactive? Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. Truth to Learn We should be benevolently proactive, not selfishly reactive. Behind the Words The word translated “repay” is apodidomi, which is a compound word made up...
Romans 12:16 – Right-minded Thinking
Romans 12:16 - Right-minded Thinking Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Truth to Learn Who we compare ourselves to affects what we think of ourselves. Behind the...
Romans 12:15 – Give and Take
Romans 12:15 - Give and Take Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Truth to Learn Sharing in grief means taking, but sharing in joy means giving. Behind the Words “Rejoice” comes from the Greek word chairo, which means “to be full of cheer, that is,...
Romans 12:14 – Blessing, Not Cursing
Romans 12:14 - Blessing, Not Cursing Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Truth to Learn Being Christ-like is really, really hard - but not impossible. Behind the Words The word translated “bless” is eulogeō, which is a compound word made up of eu, meaning “good or...
Romans 12:13 – Pursuit of Generosity
Romans 12:13 - Pursuit of Generosity distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Truth to Learn Selfless sharing is a sure sign of a committed Christian. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “distributing” is koinonointes, which is derived from the word koinonia, meaning “to have things...
Romans 12:12 – Guided Journey
Romans 12:12 - Guided Journey rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; Truth to Learn Hope, patience, and steadfastness can be ours in Christ. Behind the Words “Rejoicing” is translated from chairontes, meaning “to be full of cheer,” or “to be calmly happy.” The word “hope” is...
Romans 12:11 – Diligent Spiritual Service
Romans 12:11 - Diligent Spiritual Service not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; Truth to Learn A Christian’s life should be characterized by diligent service. Behind the Words “Lagging” is from oknēros, from the verb okneō, meaning “to be slow, to be lazy, or to delay.” The...
Romans 12:10 – Being an Example
Romans 12:10 - Being an Example Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; Truth to Learn Christians are to treat other Christians in a special way. Behind the Words The word translated “kindly affectionate” is found nowhere else in the Bible....
Romans 12:9 – Sacrificial Evidence
Romans 12:9 - Sacrificial Evidence Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Truth to Learn Here is the evidence of a living sacrifice. Behind the Words The word translated “without hypocrisy” is the Greek word anupokritos, which is a compound word made up...
Romans 12:8 – Joy In Serving
Romans 12:8 - Joy In Serving he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Truth to Learn Spiritual gifts are to be used with joy in the body of Christ. Behind the Words The word translated “exhortation”...
Romans 12:7 – His Gifts, His Choice
Romans 12:7 - His Gifts, His Choice or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; Truth to Learn We all have gifts to be used within the church, but God determines which gift or gifts we have been given. Behind the Words The word...
Romans 12:6 – Benevolent or Malignant
Romans 12:6 - Benevolent or Malignant Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; Truth to Learn Each Christian is gifted for the benefit of the body of Christ. Behind the...
Romans 12:5 – It’s Not Personal
Romans 12:5 - It's Not Personal so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Truth to Learn In Christ you do not exist alone, but as part of a greater whole. Behind the Words Paul starts off this verse with the Greek word...
Romans 12:4 – Sacrificial Body Parts
Romans 12:4 - Sacrificial Body Parts For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, Truth to Learn We are to function in the body of Christ as He chooses. Behind the Words Paul once again starts off the verse...
Romans 12:3 – He’s Great, Not Us
Romans 12:3 - He's Great, Not Us 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. Truth...
Romans 12:2 – Transformed, Not Conformed
Romans 12:2 - Transformed, Not Conformed And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Truth to Learn Don’t be like everyone around you and don’t let...
Romans 12:1 – Living Sacrifices
Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices 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. Truth to Learn We are to turn over ownership of our lives to God. Behind the Words The...