Christian Conduct: Love, Humility, and Ethical Duties
Romans 12:9-21
Rom.12.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Η: ART,nom,sg,fem
- αγαπη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ανυποκριτος: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- αποστυγουντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πονηρον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- κολλωμενοι: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αγαθω·: ADJ,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Psalm 97:10 (verbal): LXX/MT: 'Those who love the Lord hate evil' — closely parallels the command to 'hate what is evil' and ties love to abhorrence of evil.
- 1 Peter 1:22 (verbal): Calls for sincere/pure love from the heart (ἀγάπη ἀνυπόκριτος/ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας), echoing Romans' injunction to have love without hypocrisy.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (verbal): Commands to 'test all things, hold fast to what is good, abstain from every form of evil' — nearly the same practical pairing of clinging to good and rejecting evil.
- 1 Peter 3:11 (thematic): 'Let him turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it' — thematically parallels the exhortation to detest evil and cling to what is good.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let love be genuine; abhor what is evil, cling to what is good.
- Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
Rom.12.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- φιλαδελφια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- φιλοστοργοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- τιμη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- προηγουμενοι: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- John 13:34-35 (quotation): Jesus' command to 'love one another' functions as the foundational command echoed in Romans' call to brotherly love; both present mutual love as the defining mark of the community.
- 1 John 4:7-8 (thematic): Emphasizes love among believers as essential and rooted in God's nature, paralleling Paul's injunction to be devoted to one another in love (φιλαδελφία).
- Philippians 2:3 (structural): Calls believers to regard others as more significant than themselves—paralleling 'outdo one another in showing honor' (τῇ τιμῇ ἀλλήλους προηγοῦμενοι) in Romans 12:10.
- 1 Peter 3:8 (verbal): Lists 'sympathy, brotherly love (φιλαδελφία), a tender heart, and humility,' closely echoing both the language and emotional tone of Romans' 'philadelphiai' and 'philostorgoi'.
- Hebrews 13:1 (thematic): The simple injunction 'Let brotherly love continue' echoes Romans' imperative to be devoted to one another in love, underscoring continuity of concern for mutual affection in the early church.
Alternative generated candidates
- Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
- In brotherly affection be ardent toward one another; in honor, give preference to one another.
Rom.12.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- σπουδη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μη: PART
- οκνηροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ζεοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- δουλευοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Colossians 3:23 (verbal): Both urge wholehearted service 'as for the Lord'—Col 3:23's 'whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord' parallels Rom 12:11's 'serve the Lord' and zeal/fervor in service.
- Ephesians 6:7 (verbal): Eph 6:7's 'render service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men' closely matches the motivation and wording of 'serving the Lord' in Rom 12:11.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (thematic): 1 Cor 15:58 exhorts believers to be 'steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,' echoing Rom 12:11's call to persistent zeal and active service.
- Titus 2:14 (thematic): Titus 2:14 describes Christ's people as 'zealous for good works,' directly connecting the idea of Christian zeal (ζῆλος) and active service found in Rom 12:11.
- Galatians 6:9 (thematic): Gal 6:9's 'let us not grow weary in doing good' parallels Rom 12:11's warning against slothfulness and the encouragement to continue fervent, service-oriented living.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
- Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Rom.12.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ελπιδι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- χαιροντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,pl
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- θλιψει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- υπομενοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- προσευχη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- προσκαρτερουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 5:2 (verbal): Uses similar language of 'rejoicing in hope' (joy rooted in hope) linking hope and rejoicing.
- Romans 5:3-5 (thematic): Connects suffering, endurance (patience), and hope—the theological background for rejoicing and patient endurance.
- Colossians 4:2 (verbal): Commands believers to 'devote yourselves to prayer' (continued/steadfast prayer), echoing προσκαρτερουντες τη προσευχη.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (structural): Triadic exhortation—rejoice, pray, give thanks/endure—closely parallels the practical, spiritual directives of Rom 12:12.
- James 5:13 (thematic): Links suffering and prayer (and also rejoicing), echoing the call to be patient in affliction and to respond in prayer and joy.
Alternative generated candidates
- Rejoice in hope; endure in tribulation; be constant in prayer.
- Rejoice in hope; endure in affliction; be constant in prayer.
Rom.12.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- χρειαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αγιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- κοινωνουντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- φιλοξενιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- διωκοντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 13:2 (verbal): Explicit injunction to show hospitality to strangers (φιλοξενία), directly paralleling Romans' command to pursue hospitality.
- Galatians 6:10 (thematic): Urges doing good to all, 'especially to those of the household of faith,' echoing care for the needs of the saints.
- Acts 2:44-45 (thematic): Early church practice of sharing possessions and distributing to those in need parallels the call to contribute to believers' needs.
- 2 Corinthians 8:4 (verbal): Speaks of eagerness to take part in the relief/aid of the saints (συναναλαμβάνεσθαι τῶν ἁγίων), directly reflecting Romans' concern for meeting saints' needs.
- 3 John 5–8 (thematic): Commends support and hospitality to traveling brothers and sisters—endorses providing for fellow believers as in Romans 12:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- Contribute to the needs of the saints; practice hospitality.
- Share in the needs of the saints; be diligent in showing hospitality.
Rom.12.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ευλογειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- διωκοντας: PART,pres,act,acc,pl,m
- ευλογειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- καταρασθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 5:44 (quotation): Jesus' command to 'love your enemies' and 'pray for those who persecute you' closely parallels Paul's injunction to bless persecutors rather than curse them.
- Luke 6:27-28 (quotation): Luke records Jesus' explicit charge to 'love your enemies' and 'bless those who curse you,' matching the vocabulary and ethical impulse of Romans 12:14.
- 1 Peter 3:9 (verbal): Peter echoes similar wording—do not repay evil or reviling with reviling, but rather bless—reinforcing the apostolic instruction to respond to hostility with blessing.
- Proverbs 25:21-22 (thematic): The wisdom tradition counsels kindness to one's enemies (e.g., giving bread and water), a theme Paul adapts into Christian ethics of blessing persecutors rather than cursing them.
Alternative generated candidates
- Bless those who persecute you; bless—and do not curse.
- Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse.
Rom.12.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χαιρειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- μετα: PREP
- χαιροντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
- κλαιειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- μετα: PREP
- κλαιοντων: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 12:26 (thematic): Expresses the same principle of communal sympathy—when one member suffers or rejoices, the whole community shares in that sorrow or joy.
- Galatians 6:2 (thematic): Calls believers to bear one another's burdens, a related ethical demand to share in others' suffering and support them.
- Romans 12:16 (structural): Immediate contextual parallel within the same passage urging mutual humility and harmony—complements the call to share others' joys and sorrows.
- John 11:35 (thematic): Jesus weeping at Lazarus' death models empathetic sorrow—an example of sharing in another's grief as Romans 12:15 commands.
Alternative generated candidates
- Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
- Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
Rom.12.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- εις: PREP
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- φρονουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- μη: PART
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- υψηλα: ADV
- φρονουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ταπεινοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- συναπαγομενοι: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,pl,m
- μη: PART
- γινεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- φρονιμοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- παρ᾽εαυτοις: PREP+PRON,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Phil.2:2-4 (verbal): Paul’s call to be "like-minded"/"of one mind" and to act in humility—do nothing from selfish ambition but value others—parallels Rom 12:16’s same-mindedness and condescending humility.
- Rom.12:3 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same chapter: both verses warn against thinking too highly of oneself ("do not think of yourself more highly..." / "be not wise in your own conceits").
- 1 Cor.1:10 (verbal): Paul’s appeal that the church be united "in the same mind and in the same judgment" echoes Rom 12:16’s injunction to be of the same mind toward one another.
- 1 Pet.5:5 (thematic): Peter’s exhortation to clothe yourselves with humility toward one another and that God opposes the proud resonates with Rom 12:16’s call not to be haughty but to associate with the lowly.
Alternative generated candidates
- Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty; associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own sight.
- Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wise in your own sight.
Rom.12.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μηδενι: PRON,dat,sg,n
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αντι: PREP,gen
- κακου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- αποδιδοντες·προνοουμενοι: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m+VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- καλα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- ενωπιον: PREP
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων·: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (verbal): Closely echoes the injunction not to repay evil for evil; both instruct believers to refrain from retribution and to pursue what is good.
- 1 Peter 3:9 (verbal): Uses similar language forbidding repayment of evil for evil or reviling for reviling, and urges blessing instead—paralleling the ethical command in Romans 12:17.
- Matthew 5:38-44 (thematic): Jesus' teaching to not resist an evildoer and to love/pray for enemies aligns with Paul's prohibition of repaying evil and the broader ethic of non-retaliation.
- Luke 6:27-31 (thematic): Commands to love enemies, do good to those who hate you, and to treat others as you wish to be treated resonate with Paul's call to avoid returning evil for evil and to act honorably before all.
- Proverbs 20:22 (allusion): Old Testament wisdom warning against vengeful repayment ('Say not, I will recompense evil') provides a moral precedent echoed in Paul's directive against repaying evil for evil.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right before all people.
- Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is honorable before all people.
Rom.12.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δυνατον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- μετα: PREP
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ειρηνευοντες·: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 12:14 (verbal): Both passages command the pursuit of peace with all people; Hebrews uses near-verbatim language ('διώκετε τὴν εἰρήνη μετὰ πάντων').
- Romans 14:19 (thematic): Same epistle exhorting believers to pursue what promotes peace and mutual edification ('διώκομεν τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης'), applying the principle within the community.
- 1 Peter 3:11 (verbal): Parallel imperative to 'seek peace and pursue it' (ζητήσωσιν εἰρήνην καὶ διώξωσιν), urging active pursuit of peace as a Christian virtue.
- Matthew 5:9 (thematic): Jesus' beatitude for 'peacemakers' affirms the ethic of pursuing peace and blesses those who foster reconciliation, echoing Romans' call to live peaceably.
- Colossians 3:15 (thematic): Appeals to letting the peace of Christ govern relationships in the body ('ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ Χριστοῦ'), resonating with the injunction to live at peace with all as far as possible.
Alternative generated candidates
- If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
- If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with all.
Rom.12.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εκδικουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αγαπητοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- δοτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- τοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- οργη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- γαρ·Εμοι: PART+PRON,dat,sg,1
- εκδικησις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ανταποδωσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Deut.32.35 (quotation): Romans 12:19 directly quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 (“Vengeance is mine; I will repay”), using the OT declaration to ground the injunction not to take personal revenge.
- Heb.10.30-31 (quotation): Hebrews cites the same OT phrase (“Vengeance is mine; I will repay”) and applies it to divine judgment; both passages leave retribution to God and warn of his righteous wrath.
- Matt.5.38-39 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching against retaliation (rejecting ‘an eye for an eye’ and urging turning the other cheek) parallels Paul’s command to refrain from personal vengeance and to respond to evil without revenge.
- 1 Pet.2.23 (allusion): Christ’s example—when reviled he did not revile in return but entrusted himself to the righteous judge—echoes Paul’s exhortation to leave judgment and repayment to God.
- Prov.20.22 (thematic): Proverbs warns against repaying evil and instructs to wait for the LORD to deliver and vindicate, a wisdom parallel to Paul’s counsel to avoid personal vengeance and await God’s justice.
Alternative generated candidates
- Beloved, do not avenge yourselves; leave room for God's wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- Beloved, do not avenge yourselves; leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay,' says the Lord.
Rom.12.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- πεινα: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εχθρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- ψωμιζε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- αυτον·εαν: PRON,acc,sg,m
- διψα: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- ποτιζε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- αυτον·τουτο: PRON,acc,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- ποιων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ανθρακας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- πυρος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- σωρευσεις: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,sg
- επι: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κεφαλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Proverbs 25:21-22 (quotation): Paul is directly echoing/quoting this proverb: feed your enemy if he is hungry and give him water if he is thirsty; doing so will 'heap burning coals on his head.'
- Matthew 5:44-45 (thematic): Jesus' command to love and pray for enemies and to do good to persecutors parallels Paul's instruction to care for an enemy's physical needs as part of loving them.
- Luke 6:27-31 (thematic): Luke's version of loving enemies and doing good to those who hate you aligns with the ethic of responding to hostility with benevolent action (feeding/drinking an enemy).
- Romans 12:21 (structural): The immediate context: 'Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.' The practical act of feeding/thirsting an enemy is presented as the means to overcome evil with good.
- 1 Peter 3:9 (thematic): Peter's exhortation not to repay evil with evil but to bless instead echoes the same ethic of refusing retaliation and responding to wrongdoing with benevolent deeds.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.”
- If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.
Rom.12.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- νικω: VERB,pres,pass,subj,2,pl
- υπο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κακου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αλλα: CONJ
- νικα: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αγαθω: ADJ,dat,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Rom.12.17 (structural): Immediate context in the same chapter: commands not to repay evil for evil and to pursue what is honorable—closely linked instruction to not be overcome by evil.
- Matt.5.38-44 (thematic): Jesus' teaching against retaliation (turn the other cheek) and the command to love enemies and do good to persecutors—overcoming evil through non-retaliatory goodness.
- Luke 6.27-36 (thematic): Parallel Lukan formulation of Jesus' ethic: do good to enemies, bless and pray for persecutors—practical enactment of overcoming evil with good.
- 1 Pet.3.9 (verbal): Explicit injunction not to repay evil with evil but to repay with blessing—very close verbal and moral parallel to Romans 12:21.
- Prov.25.21-22 (verbal): Wisdom saying that if your enemy is hungry give him bread (and by doing so 'heap coals on his head')—an Old Testament motif for overcoming hostility by acts of kindness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints; be eager to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless—and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty; associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own sight.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is honorable before all people.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but leave room for God's wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.