Romans 12

(Monumenta, page 155). with Romans 12:17–13:1 of Codex Carolinus at the lower layer; and Isidore of Seville's writings at the upper layer in reverse. The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 21 verses. Textual witnesses Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are: • In Greek: • Codex Vaticanus (AD 325–350) • Codex Sinaiticus (330–360) • Codex Alexandrinus (400–440) • In Gothic language • Codex Carolinus (6th/7th century; extant verses 1–5, 17–21) • In Latin • Codex Carolinus (6th/7th century; extant verses 1–5, 17–21) Old Testament references • Romans 12:19 references Deuteronomy 32:35 • Romans 12:20 references Proverbs 25:21,22 ==A living sacrifice and the renewal of minds (verses 1–2)==

Verse 1 The first letter of Peter uses a similar expressions: The word "therefore" links Paul's general exhortation to holiness with the foregoing verses in Romans 11 (Romans 11:33-36), "where the riches of God were described as, and shown to be, imparted apart from merit", although there have been a number of theologians who have treated "therefore" as following on from "the whole dogmatic part of the epistle, beginning with Romans 1:16". Lutheran theologian Johann Albrecht Bengel summarises the contrasts to which Paul refers: Verse 2 • "Be conformed": translated from same word as 1 Peter 1:14 ("the fashion of this world") and Philippians 2:8 ("in fashion as a man"). The same phrase appears in Matthew 12:32; Luke 16:8; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 4:3; Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:21; 1 Timothy 6:17; 2 Timothy 4:10; and Titus 2:12. having a root verb (the root of the English terms metamorphosis and metamorphize; from , 'change after being with' and , 'changing form in keeping with inner reality') meaning 'transformed after being with'; 'transfigured', occurring 4 times in the New Testament, including in Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:2 ('was transfigured', applied to Jesus), this verse, and 2 Corinthians 3:18 ('are changed'). ==Exhortations for the Christian community (verses 3–8)==

Verses 3–8 take the form of sermon, closely paralleled by 1 Corinthians 12:12–28. Paul starts the exhortation first to the humility and Christian unity, reflecting that he writes from Corinth, "the native habitat of spiritual pride and factional division" (cf. 1 Corinthians 1–4). A major difference with the epistle to the Corinthians is that the list of gifts in verses 6–8 includes gifts of exhortation, generosity, and compassion but not deeds of power, healings, and tongues as found in 1 Corinthians 12:28. In Romans the gifts are not related specifically to the activity of the Holy Spirit. Verse 3 • "Through the grace given to me": translated from Greek ; 'by means of (in virtue of) the divine grace bestowed on me'; which characterizes Paul's apostleship (1 Corinthians 15:10; cf. Romans 15:15; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 3:7–8). Heinrich Meyer criticised the Dutch theologian for interpreting μέλη πάντα, melē panta, as if it read οὐ πάντα, ou panta, meaning "not all the parts". • "In Christ" means "by virtue of the union with Christ" (cf. ; ). Verse 7 :or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; Verse 8 :he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.--> ==Love in action (verses 9–21)==

Described by Moo as "love and its manifestations", verses 9–21 are proverbial in tone, a style known as . Some verses echo the Old Testament, notably 16c, 19c, and 20, while others are reflections of Jesus' teachings (especially 14, 17, 18 and 21). William Barclay suggests that in verses 9 to 13, "Paul presents his people with [twelve] telegraphic rules for everyday life". Verses 17–21 Verses 17–21 form a chiasm, bracketed by lines containing the word "evil" – verse 17a and verse 21. The next layer comprising verses 17b–18 and verse 20, deals with the way to treat non-Christians. The central portion is the prohibition of vengeance. Paul's instruction here is not to be vengeful: John Wycliffe and his colleagues translated it as "not defending yourselves" (Romans 12:19). Verse 21 This verse is a comprehensive summary of Romans 12:19–20, that is, "be not carried away to revenge and retaliation (verse 19) by evil which is committed against you, but overcome the evil by the good which you show to your enemy (verse 20), put to shame by your noble spirit, ceases to act malignantly against you and becomes your friend". ==See also==