Pentecost Season · Mary's Visitation · Year C
Romans 12:9-16b
Love
May 31, 2028
Overview & Insights
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Romans 12:9–21 continues the theme of being a living sacrifice (12:1–2) by loving others. Romans 12:9 and 12:21 form an inclusio for the intervening verses: to love is to avoid evil and cling to good. Although a sequential outline is difficult to identify in 12:9–21, a topical outline does emerge: 1. Love God (12:11–12) 2. Love one’s fellow Christians (12:10, 13, 15, 16) 3. Love one’s enemies (12:14, 17–21)
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Commentary
Commentary on Romans 12:9-21 Working Preacher
Explains love as the key moral norm holding together this string of exhortations.
Romans 12:9-21 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A preaching angle on genuine love as the mark of the Spirit-filled community.
Romans 12 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter of living sacrifice and love.
Romans 12:9 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries verse by verse on genuine, active love.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
How are Christians to treat enemies?
Paul calls the church to live in harmony, to bless and not curse, to leave vengeance to God, and to conquer evil by returning good, feeding even the hungry enemy.
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