therefore
Romans 12
Engraving of Paul writing with a companion
THE LETTER BEHIND THE CHAPTER

Before therefore.

Author & settingPaul wrote from Greece, likely Corinth, around A.D. 57.

AudienceJewish and Gentile believers in Rome, in communities Paul had not founded.

The momentJewish believers were returning after Claudius’s expulsion. Life together mattered.

Paul’s plansHe carried a collection toward Jerusalem and hoped to visit Rome on the way to Spain.

Paul’s account of sin, faith, and life in Christ leads into life through the Spirit.
Bible Study
ROMANS 12
0111
THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

Romans 12

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Gifts of Grace

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Marks of the True Christian

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

THE WHOLE LETTER

Romans, in four movements.

Chapters 1–16

BibleProject illustrated overview of Romans, arranged in four chapter movements
Artwork: BibleProject Romans poster ↗
01CHAPTERS 1–4

Reveals God’s Righteousness

02CHAPTERS 5–8

Creates a New Humanity

03CHAPTERS 9–11

Fulfills God’s Promise to Israel

04CHAPTERS 12–16

Unifies the Church

YOU ARE HERE · CHAPTER 12
AccountableJustified in ChristNo condemnation
01 / THE PREMISEROMANS 3:19

Accountability

God’s law exposes our guilt, silences every excuse, and leaves the whole world accountable before God.

02 / THEREFOREROMANS 5:1

Justification

Though guilty, we are justified through faith in Jesus Christ, counted righteous because of him, and brought into peace with God.

03 / THEREFOREROMANS 8:1

No condemnation

Those who are in Christ Jesus are no longer under condemnation. Their standing with God rests on Christ, not on their perfect performance.

ROMANS 3:19 · ESV EXCERPT“...so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.”

ROMANS 5:1 · ESV“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

ROMANS 8:1 · ESV“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

01 · ROMANS 12:1–2

Worship God with your whole life.

02 · ROMANS 12:3–8

Serve humbly according to God’s grace.

03 · ROMANS 12:9–21

Embody genuine love in every relationship.

Worship God with your whole life.

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

ROMANS 12:1–2 · ESV

God wants all of you.

ROMANS 12:1

Your body.

Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.

ROMANS 12:2

Your mind.

Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

ROMANS 12:2

Your allegiance.

Do not be conformed to this world.

Serve humbly according to God’s grace.

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

ROMANS 12:3–4 · ESV

5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

ROMANS 12:5–8 · ESV

Embody genuine love in every relationship.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

ROMANS 12:9–13 · ESV
ROMANS 12:9–13 · IN PRACTICE

Love in the everyday.

  1. Love people sincerely.
  2. Reject what is wrong.
  3. Treat fellow Christians like family.
  4. Be quick to honor others, not yourself.
  5. Serve God enthusiastically.
  6. Keep your spiritual passion alive.
  7. Stay joyful because of your hope in God.
  8. Endure difficult times patiently.
  9. Keep praying faithfully.
  10. Help fellow believers who are in need.
  11. Welcome people generously into your home and life.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

ROMANS 12:14–21 · ESV
ROMANS 12:14–21 · IN PRACTICE

Love when it costs you.

  1. Respond kindly to people who mistreat you; pray for them.
  2. Share in other people’s emotions; in happiness and sadness.
  3. Live cooperatively with others.
  4. Don’t consider yourself better than others.
  5. Don’t assume you know everything; be humble and open to correction.
  6. Don’t repay harm with more harm.
  7. Pursue peace whenever it is within your control.
  8. Don’t take revenge; vengeance is for the Lord.
  9. Meet your enemy’s practical needs — food, water, etc.
  10. Respond to evil with good; refuse to become like the person who harmed you.
01 · ROMANS 12:1–2

Worship God with your whole life.

02 · ROMANS 12:3–8

Serve humbly according to God’s grace.

03 · ROMANS 12:9–21

Embody genuine love in every relationship.