Romans 12 14

Romans 12:14 kjv

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Romans 12:14 nkjv

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:14 niv

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:14 esv

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Romans 12:14 nlt

Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.

Romans 12 verses

Romans 12 14 Meaning

Romans 12:14 is a clear and direct imperative commanding believers to bless those who actively inflict harm, hostility, or persecution upon them, while absolutely forbidding them to utter curses against their adversaries. It is a radical call to respond to ill-treatment with goodwill, positive words, and the invocation of divine favor, thereby reflecting a character transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12 14 Context

Romans 12 marks a significant transition in Paul's letter. Having laid a profound theological foundation in chapters 1-11 regarding God's grace, salvation, and sovereignty, he now shifts to the practical implications of the gospel in the life of believers. This chapter opens with a call to present one's body as a "living sacrifice," transforming one's mind, which leads to discerning and living God's will (Rom 12:1-2). The subsequent verses detail various aspects of Christian ethical conduct, starting with humility regarding spiritual gifts within the church (Rom 12:3-8), then extending to fervent love and hospitality among fellow believers (Rom 12:9-13). Romans 12:14 directly extends this ethical framework beyond the community of faith, addressing how believers should interact with those outside, specifically adversaries or persecutors. This command is a radical counter-cultural directive for the Roman audience, where vengeance and honor were highly valued. It reflects a core tenet of Christ's teaching, setting Christians apart by their response to hostility, aiming to overcome evil with good, which Paul reiterates in Rom 12:21.

Romans 12 14 Word analysis

• Bless (εὐλογεῖτε - eulogeite):
  • Meaning: An imperative, present active verb from eulogeō, meaning "to speak well of, praise, invoke divine blessing upon." It is more than a polite greeting; it's an active wish for divine favor, peace, and goodness to come upon the other person.
  • Significance: It contrasts sharply with human inclination. It implies an internal disposition of goodwill that then finds expression in outward speech.
• those (τοὺς - tous):
  • Meaning: A definite article, identifying specific individuals.
  • Significance: The command is not abstract but directed towards concrete individuals who engage in the following action.
• who persecute (διώκοντας - diōkontas):
  • Meaning: An active participle from diōkō, meaning "to pursue, chase, drive away, persecute, oppress." It describes people actively engaged in hostility, seeking to harm or distress believers, not just minor annoyances.
  • Significance: This heightens the difficulty and radical nature of the command. Believers are to bless not just passive opponents but active aggressors.
• you (ὑμᾶς - hymas):
  • Meaning: The accusative plural pronoun, directly addressing the recipients of the letter, the Christian community.
  • Significance: The command is personal and communal; it's you specifically who are being persecuted, and you are commanded to bless.
• bless (εὐλογεῖτε - eulogeite):
  • Meaning: A repetition of the same verb.
  • Significance: The repetition serves to emphasize the command, underscoring its importance and perhaps its difficulty. It reiterates the primary, positive action.
• and (καὶ - kai):
  • Meaning: A simple conjunction connecting the positive command with the negative prohibition.
  • Significance: Links the two parts of the imperative, forming a clear and balanced directive.
• do not (μὴ - mē):
  • Meaning: A strong negative particle used with imperative mood verbs, expressing an absolute prohibition.
  • Significance: This is not a suggestion but a firm interdiction. It is a definite line Christians must not cross.
• curse (καταρᾶσθε - kataraomai):
  • Meaning: An imperative, present active verb from kataraomai, meaning "to call down evil upon, invoke divine wrath against, denounce, execrate." It is the direct opposite of eulogeō.
  • Significance: This prohibits the natural human response of verbal retaliation, condemnation, or wishing harm upon an adversary. It explicitly blocks expressing ill will or asking God to punish them.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Bless those who persecute you": This phrase articulates a central aspect of radical Christian ethics. It goes beyond mere non-retaliation and requires a proactive, grace-filled, and supernatural response. It is a divine calling to extend spiritual benefit to those who actively seek to inflict harm. This is made possible by the indwelling Spirit of Christ, modeling His own response (e.g., Lk 23:34).
• "bless and do not curse": The coupling of these two imperatives provides a full scope of the expected Christian response. It means actively engaging in good for the persecutor ("bless") while decisively disengaging from the urge to repay evil ("do not curse"). This binary command leaves no room for ambiguity, calling believers to embody divine love rather than mirroring worldly hostility. It presents a stark moral contrast, highlighting that a truly transformed heart will manifest both proactive goodwill and disciplined restraint.

Romans 12 14 Bonus section

The command in Romans 12:14 is profoundly counter-cultural, both in the Roman world where vengeance was a societal norm and in our modern context where self-interest often dominates. This principle isn't merely an external action but springs from a renewed mind (Rom 12:2) and a heart filled with God's love (Rom 5:5). Practicing this command is often a spiritual discipline that reshapes the believer more than the persecutor, releasing the believer from the grip of anger and bitterness. It's a powerful witness because it's so unexpected; it demonstrates a character that can only be forged by God's Spirit, making it a profound testament to the truth of the Gospel. By choosing to bless rather than curse, believers align themselves with God's character, who "makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Mt 5:45). This radical stance is essential for maintaining Christian distinctiveness in a hostile world.

Romans 12 14 Commentary

Romans 12:14 is a pinnacle command within Paul's ethical instructions, embodying the revolutionary love central to the Christian faith. It moves beyond passive non-resistance, urging believers to actively and verbally invoke blessing upon those who intentionally seek to cause them harm or distress. This is a deliberate, Spirit-empowered act that defies natural human inclination for self-preservation or retaliation. The command to "bless" is reinforced by its repetition and directly contrasted with the absolute prohibition to "not curse," thus establishing a clear boundary for Christian conduct. This instruction reflects the teaching of Jesus himself (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:28) and his perfect example on the cross (Lk 23:34). It's not about being naive or accepting injustice, but about entrusting justice to God (Rom 12:19) and demonstrating a kingdom mindset where love, not vengeance, reigns. Living this command testifies to the transformative power of the gospel, showcasing a love that can disarm hostility, surprise adversaries, and ultimately point them to Christ, all while keeping the believer free from bitterness and hatred. This attitude helps fulfill the greater call in Rom 12:21: to overcome evil with good.