Romans 12:9-21

Romans 12:9-21

[9] Let love  be without dissimulation.  Abhor  that which is evil;  cleave  to that which is good.  [10] Be kindly affectioned  one to another  with brotherly love;  in honour  preferring  one another;  [11] Not  slothful  in business;  fervent  in spirit;  serving  the Lord;  [12] Rejoicing  in hope;  patient  in tribulation;  continuing instant  in prayer;  [13] Distributing  to the necessity  of saints;  given  to hospitality.  [14] Bless  them which persecute  bless,  and  curse  not.  [15] Rejoice  with  them that do rejoice,  weep  with  them that weep.  [16] Be of the same  mind  one toward another.  Mind  not  high things,  but  condescend  to men of low estate.  Be  not  wise  in  your own conceits.  [17] Recompense  to no man  evil  for  evil.  Provide  things honest  in the sight  of all  men.  [18] If  it be possible,  as much as lieth in  live peaceably  with  all  men.  [19] Dearly beloved,  avenge  not  yourselves,  but  rather give  place  unto wrath:  for  it is written,  Vengeance  I  will repay,  saith  the Lord.  [20] if  enemy  hunger,  feed  him;  if  he thirst,  him  drink:  for  doing  thou shalt heap  coals  of fire  on  his  head.  [21] not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with  good. 

What does Romans 12:9-21 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Romans 12:9-13 deal with the importance of demonstrating love to fellow believers, and Romans 12:14-21 broaden this responsibility to include wider application to non-believers. Note the similarity with Jesus" instructions in the Sermon on the Mount ( Matthew 5-7).
"From the thought of humility the idea of love naturally follows, for humility will necessarily express itself in affection for those around." [1]
Love for fellow believers12:9-13
"Nowhere else in Paul"s writings do we find a more concise collection of ethical injunctions. In these five verses are thirteen exhortations ranging from love of Christians to hospitality for strangers. There are no finite verbs in the paragraph. There are, however, ten participles that serve as imperatives. In the three other clauses ( Romans 12:9-11) an imperative must be supplied. Each of the thirteen exhortations could serve as the text for a full-length sermon. What they deal with are basic to effective Christian living." [2]