Commentary on Romans

1I beseech you then, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, asyour rational service.

2And conform not yourselves to this world, but be ye transformed by the renovation of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

3I indeed say, through the grace which has been given to me, to every one of you, that he be not above measure wise, beyond what he ought to be wise; but that he be wise unto sobriety, as God has to each distributed the measure of faith.

4For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have not the same office;

5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and severally members of one another.

6Now having gifts differing according to the grace given to us, whether prophecy, let us use itaccording to the analogy of faith;

7Or ministry, in ministering; or the teacher, in teaching;

8Or the exhorter, in exhortation; or the giver, in simplicity; or the president, with care; or he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

9Let love be undissembled: turn away from evil, cleave to what is good.

10Be ready with brotherly love to love one another, anticipating each other with honor.

11In business be not slothful, in spirit fervent, serving the time;

12Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, persevering in prayer,

13Distributing to the necessities of the saints, following hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and pray for no evil.

15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep,

16Having the same feeling towards one another, not thinking arrogantly of yourselves, but accommodating yourselves to humble things: be not wise in your own esteem.

17To no man render evil for evil, providing honest things before all men.

18If it be possible, as far as you can, cultivate peace with all men.

19Avenge not yourselves, beloved; but give place to wrath; for it is written, “Mine is vengeance, and I will repay, saith the Lord.”

20If then thine enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink: for by so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil by good.