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 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 5:44 | "But I tell you, love your enemies and bless those who curse y" | Love for enemies |
| Luke 6:28 | "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat y" | Prayer for persecutors |
| 1 Peter 3:9 | "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with b" | Blessing instead of insult |
| Proverbs 11:24 | "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withh" | Generosity brings reward |
| Proverbs 17:13 | "He who repays evil for good will not t" | Avoiding retaliation |
| Romans 12:17 | "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. R" | No returning evil for evil |
| Romans 12:20 | "On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he i" | Feeding enemies |
| Genesis 50:20 | "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good t" | God's sovereign good purpose |
| Acts 7:60 | "‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’" | Stephen's forgiveness |
| Ephesians 4:32 | "Be kind and compassionate to each other, forgiving eac" | Mutual forgiveness |
| Colossians 3:13 | "Bear with each other and forgive one another if anyo" | Forgiving one another |
| 1 Corinthians 4:12 | "and we work with our own hands. When we are cursed, we b" | Blessing when cursed |
| Galatians 5:14 | "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one comma" | Law fulfilled in love |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:15 | "Make sure that nobody pays back evil for evil, but alw" | Avoiding evil repayment |
| James 3:9 | "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with" | Controlling the tongue |
| Psalm 37:30 | "The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and the to" | Righteous speech |
| Matthew 7:12 | "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do" | Golden Rule |
| 1 Peter 2:20 | "But if you do wrong and are punished for it, what cre" | Patient suffering |
| Hebrews 12:14 | "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be" | Striving for peace |
| Philippians 2:3-4 | "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. R" | Humility and concern for others |
| 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 | "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not" | Qualities of love |
| Leviticus 19:18 | "‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of yo" | Love your neighbor |
Romans 12 verses
Romans 12 14 Meaning
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12 14 Context
This verse is found within Romans chapter 12, which serves as a pivotal transition from doctrinal instruction to practical application of Christian faith. Paul is detailing how believers should live as members of Christ's body, reflecting God's grace in their everyday lives. Specifically, Romans 12:14 follows teachings on living peaceably with others (v. 18) and not taking vengeance (v. 19). It emphasizes a positive response to adversity, particularly from those who oppose or mistreat believers. The preceding verses in chapter 12 deal with sincerity, mutual love, serving with spiritual gifts, hospitality, and rejoicing with those who rejoice while weeping with those who weep. This verse thus fits into a broader exhortation for radical love and overcoming evil with good.
Romans 12 14 Word analysis
δύναμαι (dunatai) - "you bless" (from the verb δύναμαι - dunamai, meaning "to be able," "to have power," "to be mighty"). Here, it implies capability and also a duty or command to actively bless. It's not just an ability, but an imperative.
τοὺς διώκοντας (tous diōkontas) - "those who persecute you" (from the verb διώκω - diōkō, meaning "to pursue," "to chase," "to persecute"). This refers to active opposition, harassment, and attempts to harm or suppress. It speaks to people actively acting against believers.
εὐλογεῖτε (eulogite) - "bless" (from the verb εὐλογέω - eulogeō, meaning "to speak well of," "to pronounce blessing," "to praise," "to bestow favor"). This is a positive declaration of good wishes, invoking divine favor or acknowledging good qualities. It is the opposite of cursing or condemning.
καὶ μὴ καταρᾶσθε (kai mē katarasthe) - "and do not curse" (from the verb καταράομαι - kataráomai, meaning "to curse," "to call down evil upon," "to execrate"). This is a direct prohibition against invoking curses or speaking evil against others. The emphasis is on refraining from destructive speech.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Bless those who persecute you": This entire phrase encapsulates the counter-intuitive, grace-empowered response commanded for those experiencing active hostility. It highlights the transformative nature of the Gospel, enabling believers to react positively even when attacked.
- "bless and do not curse": This is a stark contrast and a comprehensive instruction. It requires a conscious choice to speak well of and wish well upon those who wish ill upon you, actively abstaining from reciprocal negative speech.
Romans 12 14 Bonus section
The concept of "blessing" (εὐλογέω) is rich and goes beyond mere verbal pronouncements. It carries the idea of speaking life, value, and favor. In the Old Testament, blessings were often associated with divine favor, prosperity, and a good future, initiated by patriarchs or prophets. Here, the believer is empowered by the Spirit to channel that divine favor. This command directly reflects the teachings and example of Jesus. His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:43-48) extensively addresses love for enemies and praying for those who persecute. The early church also exemplified this, as seen in Stephen's prayer in Acts 7:60. This attitude is what makes Christianity distinct; it's not merely about avoiding retaliation but actively demonstrating a transformed nature that mirrors God's own compassionate and merciful character towards humanity. The difficulty of this command underscores the need for the Holy Spirit's empowerment, as Paul will discuss later in Romans (e.g., Romans 15:13). It also serves as a witness to the world, potentially drawing persecutors to repentance through consistent acts of kindness.
Romans 12 14 Commentary
This verse is a cornerstone of Christian ethics, directly contrasting human instinct and societal norms. The command to bless persecutors isn't merely a passive avoidance of evil but an active proclamation of good will. It is rooted in the character of God, who causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good (Matt 5:45). Blessing involves speaking positively, wishing well, and acknowledging any good, even in those who cause harm. It's an expression of love that seeks the well-being of the offender. Cursing, conversely, is to speak condemnation or evil upon someone. The verse demands the cessation of any form of harmful speech and the adoption of a benevolent disposition towards those who oppose and afflict believers. This practice, difficult as it is, is meant to transform the believer and ultimately reflect the heart of Christ, who prayed for His crucifiers (Luke 23:34). It is a way to overcome evil with good, demonstrating the power of God's love in overcoming human sinfulness.
- Practical Usage Examples:
- When falsely accused, instead of lashing out with angry words, pray for the accuser's clarity and well-being.
- When a colleague deliberately undermines your work, choose to offer them a word of encouragement or offer assistance rather than engaging in gossip or criticism.
- In conflicts, focus on affirming the other person's humanity and shared interests, even amidst disagreement.