Romans 12 Commentary

Paul is giving believers a picture of what it looks like to pursue God’s righteousness by faith. Righteousness means harmonious living or right living; the first ingredient for this harmony is sacrificial living.

This verse shows that we live out God’s will when we change our thoughts to God’s thoughts. We live life to please God, rather than living as the world dictates and seeking its rewards. The world will always pressure us to live sinfully and selfishly, but to live the good life God wants from us requires changing how we behave—by changing our thoughts.

Paul is telling believers what it looks like to pursue righteousness (harmonious living) through faith. One major feature is humility, recognizing who God is and what He has given you. We should realize we are each one part of a living body.

The body of believers can only work in full harmony with one another if each member is using their gift to serve one another. These gifts are given to us by the grace of God for His purpose.

Paul has moved from specific gifting to overarching principles that apply to all believers as we pursue righteousness, this harmonious living, through faith. 

Living harmoniously by faith in God looks like blessing our enemies. It looks like sympathizing with other people, in good times and bad times. It looks like unity, not elevating ourselves. Living only for ourselves is contrary to God’s design for our lives; we were made to live in harmony with others.

We aren’t God. Our role is not to right all wrongs, especially personal wrongs. If we seek to pay people back for how they’ve treated us, we’re in God’s way. God is the Judge. 

Agape love seeks the best even for our enemies. This is how to beat evil, not by battling it with vengeance. Evil is defeated by good.