Romans

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Romans 12 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Romans 12 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

1 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.

2 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.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Let your love be genuine. Do good; avoid evil.

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Be kind to others.

Except if they're babies in the womb of course. Your mum or dad when getting old and in the way. Or your wife when you feel so in love with someone else.

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 you: bless, and curse not.

"Bless, and curse not."
Paul says we should "bless and curse not." Yet in 1 Corinthians (16:22) he curses all those who don't love Jesus.
Is it OK to curse people?

There is a difference between us cursing people, and the cursing done by the all righteous God. If a Bible author, inspired by the holy Spirit cursed someone, it is not given as an example to follow, but to demonstrate how the almighty will judge those who reject Christ. John Gill adds:

The imprecations upon wicked men, used by David and other good men, are no contradictions to this rule; since they were made under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, and were predictions of God's vengeance, which in righteous judgment should fall on them, and are not to be drawn into an example by us.

So to answer the question: we should not curse people.

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and 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.

Associate with the lowly. Don't pretend to be wiser than you are.

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Don't return evil for evil.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Try to "live peaceably with all men."

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

(12:19-21) Be kind to your enemies. Overcome evil with good.
BOM: Mormon 3:15, 8:20

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.