lectionary.com

Easter Season · Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary · Year A

Romans 12:9-16b

Marks of the True Christian

May 31, 2026

Allegory of Charity, Francesco de Mura
Allegory of Charity, Francesco de Mura, c. 1743–44Art Institute of Chicago
A Neapolitan Rococo allegory, Charity as a woman with several children climbing over her, painted in high warm colour.They are gracious, merciful and righteous; it is well with those who deal generously and lend. Psalm 112 and Romans 12 both describe the habit this figure stands for.Francesco de MuraA Neapolitan painter of the Rococo who worked for the courts of Naples and Turin and left much of his fortune to charity.Art Institute of ChicagoFounded in 1879 as both a museum and a school, and the home of American Gothic and of a famous Impressionist collection.Art Institute of Chicago
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 1:39-56Lk 1:39-56
Second ReadingRom. 12:9-16bRom 12:9-16b
First ReadingZeph. 3:14-18aZep 3:14-18a
Responsorial PsalmIsa. 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6

Overview & Insights

"Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good." (Romans 12:9)

Paul strings together brief exhortations for life in the Christian community: sincere love, mutual affection, patience in suffering, hospitality, and harmony with the lowly. Read at the Visitation, it sketches the same self-giving love that sends Mary to serve Elizabeth.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Romans 12:9-16b

Commentary

Commentary on Romans 12:9-21Commentary on Rom 12:9-21 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on Paul's rapid exhortations, covering the verses read at this feast.

Romans 12 CommentaryRom 12 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse walkthrough of the chapter's picture of the living sacrifice and genuine love.

Romans 12:9-13 CommentaryRom 12:9-13 Commentary Precept Austin

Word studies and expository notes on the exact verses of this reading.

Romans 12:9 Parallel CommentariesRom 12:9 Parallel Commentaries BibleHub

Parallel classic commentaries collected from Romans 12:9.

Barnes' Notes on Romans 12Barnes' Notes on Rom 12 StudyLight

Barnes' Notes on the whole chapter of Romans 12.

Background & Word Study

Book of Romans Overview (Part 2)Book of Rom Overview (Part 2) BibleProject

Animated overview video covering the second half of Romans, including chapter 12.

Romans 12:9 Greek InterlinearRom 12:9 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek text of Romans 12:9 with parsing and Strong's numbers.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Romans 12Catena on Rom 12 Catena

Church fathers' comments gathered verse by verse for Romans 12.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 1:39-56
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.