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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/12-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/45_Rom_12_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/romans/12-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/romans/12-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/romans/">Romans</a> > <a href="/romans/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/romans/11-36.htm" title="Romans 11:36">◄</a> Romans 12:1 <a href="/romans/12-2.htm" title="Romans 12:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/romans/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/romans/12.htm">New International Version</a> Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God&#8217s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. <a href="/nlt/romans/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. <a href="/esv/romans/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. <a href="/bsb/romans/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. <a href="/blb/romans/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your reasonable service. <a href="/kjv/romans/12.htm">King James Bible</a> I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. <a href="/nkjv/romans/12.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/romans/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. <a href="/nasb/romans/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. <a href="/nasb77/romans/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. <a href="/lsb/romans/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. <a href="/amp/romans/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. <a href="/csb/romans/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. <a href="/hcsb/romans/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. <a href="/asv/romans/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. <a href="/cev/romans/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God. <a href="/erv/romans/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. <a href="/gwt/romans/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. <a href="/gnt/romans/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer. <a href="/isv/romans/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> I therefore urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices that are holy and pleasing to God, for this is the reasonable way for you to worship. <a href="/msb/romans/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God?s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. <a href="/net/romans/12.htm">NET Bible</a> Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice--alive, holy, and pleasing to God--which is your reasonable service. <a href="/nheb/romans/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. <a href="/wbt/romans/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. <a href="/wey/romans/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I plead with you therefore, brethren, by the compassionsof God, to present all your faculties to Him as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to Him. This with you will be an act of reasonable worship. <a href="/web/romans/12.htm">World English Bible</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> I call on you, therefore, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies [as] a sacrifice—living, sanctified, acceptable to God—your intelligent service; <a href="/blb/romans/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your reasonable service. <a href="/ylt/romans/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> I call upon you, therefore, brethren, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies a sacrifice -- living, sanctified, acceptable to God -- your intelligent service; <a href="/slt/romans/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the compassions of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, your reasonable service.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your reasonable service. <a href="/cpdv/romans/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And so, I beg you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, with the subservience of your mind. <a href="/nabre/romans/12.htm">New American Bible</a> I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. <a href="/nrsvce/romans/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, by means of reasonable service. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> I beg you therefore, my brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God by a logical service.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> 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. <a href="/godbey/romans/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> I exhort you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, your reasonable service: <a href="/haweis/romans/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> I BESEECH you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. <a href="/mace/romans/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to you, that you present your bodies a living victim, holy, acceptable unto God, as the service of a rational being. <a href="/wey/romans/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I plead with you therefore, brethren, by the compassionsof God, to present all your faculties to Him as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to Him. This with you will be an act of reasonable worship. <a href="/worrell/romans/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> I beseech you, therefore, brethren, through the mercies of God, to present, your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well pleasing to God, which is your rational service; <a href="/worsley/romans/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and well-pleasing to God, as your rational service. <a href="/parallel/romans/12-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=3001" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/12.htm">Living Sacrifices</a> 1<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Therefore</a> <a href="/greek/3870.htm" title="3870: Parakalō (V-PIA-1S) -- From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.">I urge</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphoi (N-VMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brothers,</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">on account of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God’s</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3628.htm" title="3628: oiktirmōn (N-GMP) -- Pity, compassion, favor, grace, mercy. From oikteiro; pity.">mercy,</a> <a href="/greek/3936.htm" title="3936: parastēsai (V-ANA) -- Or prolonged paristano from para and histemi; to stand beside, i.e. to exhibit, proffer, recommend, substantiate; or to be at hand, aid.">to offer</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4983.htm" title="4983: sōmata (N-ANP) -- Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.">bodies</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zōsan (V-PPA-AFS) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">as living</a> <a href="/greek/2378.htm" title="2378: thysian (N-AFS) -- Abstr. and concr: sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering. From thuo; sacrifice.">sacrifices,</a> <a href="/greek/40.htm" title="40: hagian (Adj-AFS) -- Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.">holy</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2101.htm" title="2101: euareston (Adj-AFS) -- Acceptable, well-pleasing (especially to God), grateful. From eu and arestos; fully agreeable.">and pleasing</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theō (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">to God,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">which is</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3050.htm" title="3050: logikēn (Adj-AFS) -- (a) reasonable, rational, (b) metaphorical, as contrasted with the literal. From logos; rational.">spiritual</a> <a href="/greek/2999.htm" title="2999: latreian (N-AFS) -- Service rendered to God, perhaps simply: worship. From latreuo; ministration of God, i.e. Worship.">service of worship.</a> 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a> Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body. <a href="/1_peter/2-5.htm">1 Peter 2:5</a> you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. <a href="/hebrews/13-15.htm">Hebrews 13:15-16</a> Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name. / And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16-17</a> Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? / If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. <a href="/ephesians/5-2.htm">Ephesians 5:2</a> and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. <a href="/philippians/4-18.htm">Philippians 4:18</a> I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14-15</a> For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. / And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. <a href="/colossians/3-17.htm">Colossians 3:17</a> And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24-25</a> Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Galatians 2:20</a> I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">1 Peter 1:14-16</a> As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. / But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” <a href="/hebrews/10-19.htm">Hebrews 10:19-22</a> Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, / by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, / and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ... <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a> For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.beseech.<a href="/romans/15-30.htm">Romans 15:30</a> Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;<a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">1 Corinthians 1:10</a> Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.<a href="/2_corinthians/5-20.htm">2 Corinthians 5:20</a> Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.by the.<a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Romans 2:4</a> Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?<a href="/romans/9-23.htm">Romans 9:23</a> And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,<a href="/romans/11-30.htm">Romans 11:30,31</a> For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: … that ye.<a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Romans 6:13,16,19</a> Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God… <a href="/psalms/50-13.htm">Psalm 50:13,14</a> Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? … <a href="/1_corinthians/6-13.htm">1 Corinthians 6:13-20</a> Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body… a living.<a href="/psalms/69-30.htm">Psalm 69:30,31</a> I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving… <a href="/hosea/14-2.htm">Hosea 14:2</a> Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.<a href="/1_corinthians/5-7.htm">1 Corinthians 5:7,8</a> Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: … acceptable.<a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a> And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.<a href="/romans/15-16.htm">Romans 15:16</a> That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.<a href="/psalms/19-14.htm">Psalm 19:14</a> Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/10-35.htm">Acceptable</a> <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Act</a> <a href="/acts/26-3.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/romans/8-23.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Compassions</a> <a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Faculties</a> <a href="/romans/11-33.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/11-26.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/acts/13-7.htm">Intelligent</a> <a href="/romans/11-29.htm">Mercies</a> <a href="/romans/11-32.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/luke/13-26.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/acts/12-3.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/romans/11-5.htm">Present</a> <a href="/romans/11-20.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/acts/26-25.htm">Reasonable</a> <a href="/romans/1-10.htm">Request</a> <a href="/romans/11-20.htm">Right</a> <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/acts/24-17.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/romans/9-4.htm">Service</a> <a href="/romans/8-9.htm">Spiritual</a> <a href="/acts/27-34.htm">Urge</a> <a href="/romans/8-24.htm">View</a> <a href="/romans/10-14.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Acceptable</a> <a href="/romans/14-23.htm">Act</a> <a href="/romans/15-30.htm">Beseech</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-15.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-3.htm">Compassions</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-14.htm">Faculties</a> <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/14-11.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-19.htm">Intelligent</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-3.htm">Mercies</a> <a href="/romans/12-8.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/romans/15-16.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/galatians/4-12.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Present</a> <a href="/romans/12-6.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Reasonable</a> <a href="/romans/15-30.htm">Request</a> <a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Right</a> <a href="/romans/15-16.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-7.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/romans/12-7.htm">Service</a> <a href="/romans/12-11.htm">Spiritual</a> <a href="/romans/15-30.htm">Urge</a> <a href="/romans/15-2.htm">View</a> <a href="/romans/14-11.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 12</div>1. <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves.</a> 3. <a href="/romans/12-3.htm">No man must think too well of himself;</a> 6. <a href="/romans/12-6.htm">but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed.</a> 9. <a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Love, and many other duties are required of us.</a> 19. <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Revenge is especially forbidden.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Therefore I urge you, brothers Paul begins with "Therefore," indicating a conclusion drawn from previous teachings, particularly the mercies of God discussed in <a href="/romans/1.htm">Romans 1-11</a>. The term "urge" reflects a strong appeal, emphasizing the importance of the message. "Brothers" signifies a familial relationship among believers, highlighting unity and shared faith in Christ.on account of God’s mercy This phrase underscores the motivation for the appeal: God's mercy. Throughout Romans, Paul elaborates on God's grace and mercy, particularly in salvation through Jesus Christ. This mercy is the foundation for the believer's response, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel.to offer your bodies as living sacrifices The concept of sacrifice is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, where sacrifices were offered in the temple. Here, Paul redefines sacrifice as a living, ongoing act of worship, contrasting with the dead sacrifices of the Old Covenant. This involves dedicating one's entire being to God, reflecting a life of holiness and service.holy and pleasing to God Holiness is a recurring theme in Scripture, calling believers to be set apart for God's purposes. A life that is "pleasing to God" aligns with His will and character. This echoes Old Testament teachings where sacrifices had to be without blemish, symbolizing purity and dedication.which is your spiritual service of worship The term "spiritual" can also be understood as "reasonable" or "rational," suggesting that offering oneself to God is a logical response to His mercy. "Service of worship" implies that true worship extends beyond rituals to encompass a lifestyle of devotion and obedience, aligning with Jesus' teaching that worship is in spirit and truth (<a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Romans, Paul is writing to the Christian believers in Rome, urging them to live out their faith in practical ways. 2. <a href="/topical/r/roman_christians.htm">Roman Christians</a> The recipients of the letter, they were a diverse group of Jewish and Gentile believers living in the heart of the Roman Empire. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy.htm">God’s Mercy</a> A central theme in this verse, referring to the compassion and grace God has shown through Jesus Christ, which serves as the foundation for the call to live sacrificially.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_living_sacrifices.htm">Understanding Living Sacrifices</a> In the original Greek, the term "sacrifice" (thysia) implies a complete offering. Unlike the dead sacrifices of the Old Testament, a living sacrifice is ongoing and involves daily dedication to God. <a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_pleasing_god.htm">Holiness and Pleasing God</a> The call to be "holy and pleasing" (hagian euareston) emphasizes a life set apart for God, aligning our actions and thoughts with His will. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_service_of_worship.htm">Spiritual Service of Worship</a> The phrase "spiritual service" (logik?n latreian) suggests a rational, thoughtful worship that encompasses all aspects of life, not just religious rituals. <a href="/topical/m/motivated_by_mercy.htm">Motivated by Mercy</a> Recognizing God's mercy as the motivation for our actions encourages a response of gratitude and commitment, rather than obligation. <a href="/topical/p/practical_holiness.htm">Practical Holiness</a> Living as a sacrifice involves practical steps such as resisting sin, serving others, and prioritizing God's kingdom in daily decisions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 12</a> <a href="/q/are_you_dedicated_to_the_lord's_work.htm">Are you dedicated to the Lord's work?</a> <a href="/q/how_can_i_fully_devote_myself_to_god.htm">How can I fully devote myself to God?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_a_'living_sacrifice'_coexist.htm">In Romans 12:1, how can a “living sacrifice” coexist with the idea that Christ’s sacrifice ended the need for sacrifices altogether? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_say_to_worship_god.htm">How should we worship God according to the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XII.(1) At this point the Apostle turns from the speculative, or doctrinal, portion of his Epistle, and begins a series of practical exhortations to his readers as to their lives as Christians. In the first two verses of the chapter he speaks of this in general terms, but then goes on to give a number of special precepts in no very distinct arrangement or order.Therefore.--We may well believe that the Apostle having brought his argument up to a climax at the close of the last chapter, would make a pause in his dictation, and perhaps not resume it until another sitting. The one prevailing impression left on his mind, both by the argument just ended and by the whole previous portion of the Epistle, is a profound sense of the merciful and benevolent purposes of God, who, out of seeming evil, only educes the highest good. This sense is still strong upon him, and he makes it the link of transition by which the earnest practical exhortations which follow are bound to what precedes. The sequence is as much one of feeling as of ratiocination.Your bodies.--Not merely a periphrasis for "yourselves," but in the strict sense "your bodies," i.e., the very part of you which is apt to be "an occasion of falling." The Apostle takes the two main parts of human nature separately. In this verse he deals with the bodies of men, in the next verse with the "mind," or the intellectual and spiritual faculties.A living sacrifice.--"How is the body to become a sacrifice? Let thine eye look upon no evil thing, and it hath become a sacrifice; let thy tongue speak nothing filthy, and it hath become an offering; let thy hand do no lawless deed, and it hath become a whole burnt offering. But this is not enough, we must do good works also; let the hand do alms, the mouth bless them that despitefully use us, and the ear find leisure evermore for the hearing of Scripture. For sacrifice can be made only of that which is clean; sacrifice is a firstfruit of other actions. Let us, then, from our hands, and feet, and mouth, and all our other members, yield a firstfruit unto God" (St. Chrysostom).The idea contained in sacrifice is that of dedication. We are to dedicate our bodies to God. But there is to be this distinction between the old Jewish sacrifices and the Christian sacrifice: the one was of dead animals, the other of the living man. The worshipper must offer, or present, before God, himself, with all his living energies and powers directed consciously to God's service.Holy, acceptable unto God.--The qualification sought for in the Jewish sacrifices was that they were to be unblemished, without spot. In like manner the Christian's sacrifice must be holy and pure in God's sight, otherwise it cannot be acceptable to Him.Reasonable service.--The English phrase is somewhat ambiguous. It might mean "a service demanded by reason." Such, however is not the sense of the Greek, but rather "a service of the reason," i.e., a service rendered by the reason. Just as under the old dispensation the mind expressed its devotion through the ritual of sacrifice, so now under the new dispensation its worship takes the form of a self-dedication; its service consists in holiness of life, temperance, soberness, and chastity.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/romans/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1 - <a href="/romans/14-23.htm">Romans 14:23</a>. - III. HORTATORY. (See summary of contents, p. 17.) It is St. Paul's way to supplement his doctrinal treatises with detailed practical directions as to the conduct that should of necessity ensue on belief in the doctrines propounded. So also in <a href="/ephesians/4-1.htm">Ephesians 4:1</a>, etc., where, as here, he connects his exhortations with what has gone before by the initiatory παρακαλῶ οϋν. Beyond his exposition of the truth for its own sake, he has always a further practical aim. Saving faith is ever with him a living faith, to be shown by its fruits. Nor, according to him, will these fruits follow, unless the believer himself does his part in cultivating them: else were these earnest and particular exhortations needless. If, on the one hand, he is the great assertor of our salvation being through faith and all of grace, he is no less distinct for the necessity of works following, and of the power of man's free-will to use or resist grace; cf. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-10.htm">1 Corinthians 15:10</a>, where, speaking of himself, he does not mean to say that grace had made him what he was in spite of himself, but that grace had not been in vain, because he himself had worked with grace. All was of grace, but he himself had laboured, assisted by grace working with him. It will be observed how comprehensive is the survey of Christian duty that here follows, reaching to all the relations of life, as well as to internal disposition. Verse 1 - <a href="/romans/13-14.htm">Romans 13:14</a>. - E. Various practical duties enforced. Verse 1. - I beseech you therefore, brethren (he does not command, as did Moses in the Law; he beseeches; he is but a fellow-servant, with his brethren, of Christ; he does not "lord it over God's heritage" (cf. <a href="/1_peter/5-3.htm">1 Peter 5:3</a>), but trusts that they will of their own accord respond to "the mercies of God" in Christ, which he has set before them), by the mercies of God ("Qui misericordia Dei recte movetur in omnem Dei voluntatem ingreditur. At anima irae obnoxia vix quiddam juvatur adhortationibus," Bengel), that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. The verb παραστῆσαι is the usual one for the presenting of sacrificial animals at the altar (Xen., 'Anab.,' 6:1.22; Lucian, 'De Sacrif.,' 13. The LXX in <a href="/leviticus/16-7.htm">Leviticus 16:7, 10</a>, has στήσει. Cf. <a href="/luke/2-22.htm">Luke 2:22</a>: <a href="/colossians/1-22.htm">Colossians 1:22, 28</a>, and supra, 6:13). Our bodies are here specified, with probable reference to the bodies of victims which were offered in the old ritual. But our offering differs from them in being "a living sacrifice," replete with life and energy to do God's will (cf. <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Psalm 40:6, 7, 8</a>, and <a href="/hebrews/10-5.htm">Hebrews 10:5, 6, 7</a>), yea, and oven inspired with a new life - a life from the dead (<a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Romans 6:13</a>). Further, the thought is suggested of the abuse of the body to uncleanness prevalent in heathen society (cf. <a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24</a>). The bodies of Christians are "members of Christ," "temples of the Holy Ghost," consecrated to God, and to be devoted to his service (cf. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-15.htm">1 Corinthians 6:15</a>, etc.); and not in heart only, but in actual life, of which the body is the agent, we are to offer ourselves, after the example of Christ. Your reasonable service (τὴν λογικὴν λατρείαν ὑμῶν) must be taken in apposition to "present your bodies, rather than to "sacrifice," it being the act of offering, and not the thing offered. that constitutes the λατρεία. This word is especially used for the ceremonial worship of the Old Testament (cf. <a href="/exodus/12-25.htm">Exodus 12:25, 26</a>; <a href="/exodus/13-5.htm">Exodus 13:5</a>; <a href="/romans/9-4.htm">Romans 9:4</a>; <a href="/hebrews/8-5.htm">Hebrews 8:5</a>; <a href="/hebrews/9-1.htm">Hebrews 9:1, 6, 9</a>; <a href="/hebrews/10-2.htm">Hebrews 10:2</a>; <a href="/hebrews/13-10.htm">Hebrews 13:10</a>), the counterpart of which in Christians is, according to St. Paul, not ceremonial service, but rather that of a devoted life (cf. <a href="/acts/27-23.htm">Acts 27:23</a>; <a href="/romans/1-9.htm">Romans 1:9</a>; <a href="/philippians/3-3.htm">Philippians 3:3</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/1-3.htm">2 Timothy 1:3</a>; Hebrews 41:28). The epithet λογικὴν has been variously understood. It probably means rational, denoting a moral and spiritual serving of God, in implied opposition to mechanical acts of outward worship. "Respectu intellectus et voluntatis" (Bengel). It may be taken to express the same idea as οἱ Πνεῦματι Θεῷ λατρεύοντες (<a href="/philippians/3-3.htm">Philippians 3:3</a>), and πνευματικὴν θυσίαν (<a href="/1_peter/2-7.htm">1 Peter 2:7</a>; cf. <a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>). Though the offering of the body is being spoken of, yet "bodily self-sacrifice is an ethical act" (Meyer). Cf. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">1 Corinthians 6:20</a>. The word itself occurs in the New Testament only here and in <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">1 Peter 2:2</a>, where its meaning, though obscure, may be similar. <a href="/commentaries/romans/12-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Therefore οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. I urge Παρακαλῶ (Parakalō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3870.htm">Strong's 3870: </a> From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke. you, ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. brothers, ἀδελφοί (adelphoi) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. on account of διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. God’s Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. mercy, οἰκτιρμῶν (oiktirmōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3628.htm">Strong's 3628: </a> Pity, compassion, favor, grace, mercy. From oikteiro; pity. to offer παραστῆσαι (parastēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_3936.htm">Strong's 3936: </a> Or prolonged paristano from para and histemi; to stand beside, i.e. to exhibit, proffer, recommend, substantiate; or to be at hand, aid. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. bodies σώματα (sōmata) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4983.htm">Strong's 4983: </a> Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively. [as] living ζῶσαν (zōsan) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. sacrifices, θυσίαν (thysian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2378.htm">Strong's 2378: </a> Abstr. and concr: sacrifice; a sacrifice, offering. From thuo; sacrifice. holy ἁγίαν (hagian) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred. [and] pleasing εὐάρεστον (euareston) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2101.htm">Strong's 2101: </a> Acceptable, well-pleasing (especially to God), grateful. From eu and arestos; fully agreeable. to God, Θεῷ (Theō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. which is τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. spiritual λογικὴν (logikēn) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3050.htm">Strong's 3050: </a> (a) reasonable, rational, (b) metaphorical, as contrasted with the literal. From logos; rational. service of worship. λατρείαν (latreian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2999.htm">Strong's 2999: </a> Service rendered to God, perhaps simply: worship. From latreuo; ministration of God, i.e. Worship. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">NT Letters: Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you brothers by (Rom. 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