Living Sacrifices to God

12 I (A)beseech[a] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies (B)a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your [b]reasonable service. And (C)do not be conformed to this world, but (D)be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may (E)prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

For I say, (F)through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, (G)not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt (H)to each one a measure of faith. For (I)as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so (J)we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is (K)given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us (L)prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; (M)he who teaches, in teaching; (N)he who exhorts, in exhortation; (O)he who gives, with liberality; (P)he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, (Q)with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian

(R)Let love be without hypocrisy. (S)Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 (T)Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, (U)in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 (V)rejoicing in hope, (W)patient[c] in tribulation, (X)continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 (Y)distributing to the needs of the saints, (Z)given[d] to hospitality.

14 (AA)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 (AB)Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 (AC)Be of the same mind toward one another. (AD)Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

17 (AE)Repay no one evil for evil. (AF)Have[e] regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, (AG)live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, (AH)do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, (AI)“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore

(AJ)“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.”

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

Submit to Government

13 Let every soul be (AL)subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists (AM)the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [f]bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? (AN)Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore (AO)you must be subject, not only because of wrath (AP)but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. (AQ)Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Love Your Neighbor(AR)

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for (AS)he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, (AT)“You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” [g]“You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, (AU)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore (AV)love is the fulfillment of the law.

Put on Christ

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time (AW)to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. (AX)Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and (AY)let us put on the armor of light. 13 (AZ)Let us walk [h]properly, as in the day, (BA)not in revelry and drunkenness, (BB)not in lewdness and lust, (BC)not in strife and envy. 14 But (BD)put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and (BE)make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

The Law of Liberty

14 Receive(BF) one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he (BG)may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and (BH)let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. (BI)Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

(BJ)One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who (BK)observes the day, observes it to the Lord; [i]and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for (BL)he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For (BM)none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we (BN)live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For (BO)to this end Christ died [j]and rose and lived again, that He might be (BP)Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For (BQ)we shall all stand before the judgment seat of [k]Christ. 11 For it is written:

(BR)As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then (BS)each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another [l]anymore, but rather resolve this, (BT)not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

The Law of Love

14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus (BU)that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. (BV)Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 (BW)Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 (BX)for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and (BY)peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in [m]these things (BZ)is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19 (CA)Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which (CB)one may [n]edify another. 20 (CC)Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. (CD)All things indeed are pure, (CE)but it is evil for the man who eats with [o]offense. 21 It is good neither to eat (CF)meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles [p]or is offended or is made weak. 22 [q]Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. (CG)Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for (CH)whatever is not from faith is [r]sin.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:1 urge
  2. Romans 12:1 rational
  3. Romans 12:12 persevering
  4. Romans 12:13 Lit. pursuing
  5. Romans 12:17 Or Provide good
  6. Romans 13:2 Lit. receive
  7. Romans 13:9 NU omits “You shall not bear false witness,”
  8. Romans 13:13 decently
  9. Romans 14:6 NU omits the rest of this sentence.
  10. Romans 14:9 NU omits and rose
  11. Romans 14:10 NU God
  12. Romans 14:13 any longer
  13. Romans 14:18 NU this thing
  14. Romans 14:19 build up
  15. Romans 14:20 A feeling of giving offense
  16. Romans 14:21 NU omits the rest of v. 21.
  17. Romans 14:22 NU The faith which you have—have
  18. Romans 14:23 M puts Rom. 16:25–27 here.

Immorality Must Be Judged

I wrote to you in my epistle (A)not to [a]keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go (B)out of the world.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 5:9 associate

Do Not Sue the Brethren

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the (A)saints? Do you not know that (B)the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall (C)judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have [a]judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. (D)Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 6:4 courts

20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is (A)the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is (B)Christ’s slave. 23 (C)You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with (D)God in that state in which he was called.

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All to the Glory of God(A)

23 All things are lawful [a]for me, but not all things are (B)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [b]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one (C)the other’s well-being.

25 (D)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (E)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, (F)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it (G)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [c]for (H)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (I)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food (J)over which I give thanks?

31 (K)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (L)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (M)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Worship and the Lord’s Supper

11 Imitate(N) me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.

Sons and Heirs

26 For you (A)are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For (B)as many of you as were baptized into Christ (C)have put on Christ. 28 (D)There is neither Jew nor Greek, (E)there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all (F)one in Christ Jesus.

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Bondservants and Masters

(A)Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, (B)with fear and trembling, (C)in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; (D)not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, (E)knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that [a]your own (F)Master also is in heaven, and (G)there is no partiality with Him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:9 NU He who is both their Master and yours is

Character of the New Man

12 Therefore, (A)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, (B)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 (C)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 (D)But above all these things (E)put on love, which is the (F)bond of perfection. 15 And let (G)the peace of God rule in your hearts, (H)to which also you were called (I)in one body; and (J)be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another (K)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And (L)whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

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12 And may the Lord make you increase and (A)abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

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Greeting

Paul, a (A)prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, to [a]the beloved Apphia, (B)Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon’s Love and Faith

(C)I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, (D)hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective (E)by the acknowledgment of (F)every good thing which is in [b]you in Christ Jesus. For we [c]have great [d]joy and [e]consolation in your love, because the [f]hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

The Plea for Onesimus

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ— 10 I appeal to you for my son (G)Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

12 I am sending him [g]back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own [h]heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, (H)that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the (I)flesh and in the Lord.

Philemon’s Obedience Encouraged

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own (J)hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

21 (K)Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for (L)I trust that (M)through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

Farewell

23 (N)Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do (O)Mark, (P)Aristarchus, (Q)Demas, (R)Luke, my fellow laborers.

25 (S)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Philemon 1:2 NU our sister Apphia
  2. Philemon 1:6 NU, M us
  3. Philemon 1:7 NU had
  4. Philemon 1:7 M thanksgiving
  5. Philemon 1:7 comfort
  6. Philemon 1:7 Lit. inward parts, heart, liver, and lungs
  7. Philemon 1:12 NU back to you in person, that is, my own heart,
  8. Philemon 1:12 See v. 7.

27 (A)Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: (B)to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, (C)and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

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If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, (A)“You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

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