What does Romans 12:14 mean? (2024)

ESVBless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

NIVBless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

NASBBless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

CSBBless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

NLTBless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

KJVBless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

Here, Paul begins a new set of commands detailing what life in Christ on this side of eternity is supposed to look like. Taken together, it paints a picture of the Christian life. Followers of Jesus should be seen as those who love and take care of each other, in powerful and self-sacrificing ways.

This new command, however, can also be applied to how Christians interact with unbelievers. Paul echoes the direct teaching of Jesus: Bless those who persecute you and don't curse them (Matthew 5:44). It's possible that Paul is referring to persecution for the sake of Christ, but the same principle applies to any situation where we are treated badly.

The normal human instinct, of course, is to do the opposite. We feel the natural desire to curse those who hurt us and to avoid doing good for them at all costs. Christians who follow Paul's teaching here, instead, will stand out in almost every culture. They will also be imitating both Jesus' words and His example, as He carried this principle even to the extent of praying for the well-being of His enemies (Luke 23:34).

While it's true that this makes a powerful statement to unbelievers, Christians can also practice this with each other. Sometimes other Christians don't follow Paul's teachings. We can become hurtful to each other in big and small ways. Nothing communicates sincere love back to a brother or sister who is being hurtful than doing good for them and refusing to strike back at them.

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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.

What does Romans 12:14 mean? (2024)

FAQs

What does Romans 12:14 mean? ›

We must serve with enthusiasm and focus, mastering our emotions to rejoice in our future and be patient in our present. We must refuse to sink to evil's level in taking revenge and instead overcome evil by doing good to those who harm us.

What does Romans 12 14 teach us? ›

This may be one of the most challenging things we are called to do as believers. Rather than retaliate against those who harm or inconvenience us, we are instructed to bless them. This is contrary to my human tendency to respond in kind and does not come easily.

What is the meaning of present your body as a living sacrifice? ›

In the New Testament, it's living sacrifice because our sacrifice lives, and He brings life to us. So you are to be living sacrifices, sanctified by His power, His presence, and His redeeming grace, sanctified so that you are holy and without blame as you give the praise to the Lord.

What is the lesson of Romans 14 12? ›

In Romans 14:12, Paul is teaching that the believer will make himself accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ in order that his service and stewardship of his time, talent, truth and treasure can be evaluated by the Lord to determine if their service was faithful or not and to determine if their stewardship was profitable ...

What does it mean to be joyful in hope patient in affliction and faithful in prayer? ›

He says: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." "Be joyful in hope." This means that, no matter what is going on around us, and no matter where we are at the time, we are constantly looking ahead.

What is the main message of Romans 14? ›

In Romans 14, Paul is trying to teach Christians to stop judging each other regarding secondary matters of religious practice about food and holy days. Paul is talking to committed disciples and he told them to focus on peace, upbuilding and avoiding quarrels. How does this apply to us in modern society?

What does Romans 12 14 15 mean? ›

When someone attacks us, our natural instinct is to engage in conflict to defend ourselves and attack them back. Here Paul is saying to bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (v 14). Don't wish harm on them. Living by faith looks like blessing our enemies. How do we bless enemies?

How is our body a gift from God? ›

A physical body is given to each of us by our loving Heavenly Father. He created it as a tabernacle for our spirit to assist each of us in our quest to fulfill the full measure of our creation. Our bodies allow each of us to experience the great plan of salvation that He has designed for all His children.

What kind of sacrifice does God want? ›

The apostle Paul identifies three spiritual sacrifices that bless us and the people around us: (1) the sacrifices or offerings1 of praise, (2) doing good, and (3) sharing with others. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise— the fruit of lips that openly profess His name.

How do we renew our minds? ›

5 Practical Steps to Renew Your Mind and Replace Negative...
  1. Train your brain to recognize false beliefs or negative thoughts.
  2. Call out the negative thoughts or lies.
  3. Replace lies with truth.
  4. Study and meditate on Scripture.
  5. Pray.
Mar 28, 2022

What is the importance of Romans 12 13 in your life? ›

So far, Paul has written generally that Christians must be devoted to each other. They should show brotherly affection and honor to one another. The two commands in this verse describes practical ways we can do that.

What is the purpose of Romans 12? ›

Romans 12:1-8 is a summary and reminder of Romans 1-11, in which the Apostle Paul is writing an apologetic of the presence, work, and callings of God on the entire human family. Readers are called to live a countercultural lifestyle, moving from the life of flesh to a life formed by the Holy Spirit.

What is a living sacrifice in Romans 12 1 2? ›

Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 what being a “living sacrifice” involves and then what the results of such living are. The essence of this idea of sacrifice is that we are to be willing to offer ourselves to God. The truest sacrifice we can make is to try and live according to His purposes for our lives.

What does hope mean spiritually? ›

“Hope” is commonly used to mean a wish : its strength is the strength of the person's desire. But in the Bible hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness.

What is the difference between hope and joy? ›

The 1828 Webster's Dictionary describes joy as the passion or emotion excited by the expectation of good. What an excellent description of biblical hope! Hope is the expectation of good from a good God.

How do you become patient in affliction? ›

Patience in affliction and adversity means to persist firmly and never forsake that which we know to be true, standing firm with the hope that in the Lord's due time we will gain an understanding of that which we do not understand now and which causes us suffering.

What does Romans 12 14 21 teach? ›

Study Notes / Romans 12:14-21 / Gospel Application: Living Peaceably. Theme: Jesus introduced a life which runs opposite our feelings and impulses. We respond differently to enemies, sensitively to others, humbly with believers, and peaceably with all.

What does it mean to humble yourselves before the Lord? ›

To humble oneself is to acknowledge God as Lord and to obey as servant. In order to do so, then, the Son had to take “the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7). “We, as creatures, must obey our Creator, and he, as our brother, did the same.”

What does Romans 12 14 21 means? ›

General Idea: This passage is about how we are to treat others around us. The theme of the Sermon on the Mount is clearly echoed here in this passage. The call is to serve others as Christ has served us, and to treat others as Christ has treated us.

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