Romans Chapter 12 Breakdown

1 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.

Paul requests all believers to be a living sacrifice, and to be holy, which is our duty. In order to do this, to be a living sacrifice, we should deny ourselves the desires of the flesh and follow the Law of YHWH.

2 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.

To not be conformed to the world simply means do not do the things which all the other non-believers do. We should be transformed in our thinking. So, if we think about this we may be able to understand it a bit more. The Romans were gentiles, not ever having known the law of YHWH. In order for them to change, they would have to do something different. YHWH’s law is different and it requires a renewing of the mind. Just as Paul explains in Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:20-24

But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Following YHWH’s law is what is good, acceptable, and the perfect will of God.

3 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.

Do not consider yourself better than anyone else, no matter how well you can keep the law compared to another.

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

There are many people within the body of YHWH, and not all of them do the same job. We all perform a specific job and work together with each other.

6 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; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Each one of the believers has a position, a certain purpose within the body. Whatever it is, we must do it to the best of our ability and according to these given instructions.

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

We will do well to follow these instructions. Love with sincerity, hate evil, and hold tight to what YHWH calls good.

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

More things Paul said we would do well to follow. Paul suggests here also believers will have to endure tribulation.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Pray for blessings of those who persecute you and do not bring curses on them.

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

We are to be happy when others are happy and cry when they cry. Show empathy and sympathy.

16 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.

Do not forget those who are poor and need help. Do not align yourself with the rich of society. Do you consider yourself smarter than anyone else.

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

Do not hold a grudge, do not have revenge in your heart. Find the good in all men.

18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Even with the evil man, we should strive to live together.

19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Deuteronomy 32:35

Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’

Do not commit revenge against someone who has wronged you. YHWH will repay evil in the end.

20 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.”

Proverbs 25:21-22

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

YHWH will reward you for keeping this command. The revenge you can give pales in comparison to what YHWH will do.  

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Do not allow evil to prevail in your life, but defeat evil with what is good. YHWH’s law is good and breaking His law is to commit evil. Therefore, following His law not only does not allow you to be overcome by evil, but you will overcome evil with good.