Romans 12:16

11. Christians should live in agreement with each other. This does not mean that they must always have the same opinions. But they should work together with the same purpose. They all should serve *Christ. Paul told the Christians at Philippi to have ‘the same love and to be united in spirit and purpose’ (Philippians 2:2). If they do this, their work is more likely to be successful.

12. Christians must not *judge other people by their wealth or by their important position in society. They must not be too proud to be friendly with poor people. Christians should be friendly with people whom the world considers unimportant. Jesus was not afraid to be in the company of those whom other people did not approve of. James said that a poor person might not receive the same welcome at a meeting as a wealthy person. This was wrong because they were Christian *brothers and *sisters (James 2:1-4).

Christian attitudes towards enemies 12:17-21

v17 Someone may have done something wrong to you. But do not do something wrong yourself in order to punish them. Do the things that everyone knows to be right. v18 If possible, be friendly with everyone. v19 My friends, when your enemy hurts you, do not try to punish him. Leave it to God’s anger. God says, ‘I will *judge people who do evil things. I will punish them.’

v20 Instead, ‘If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.

If he wants a drink, give him something to drink.

Then he will feel as if you have given him hot coals for his fire! (In other words, your kindness will make him ashamed.)’

v21 Do not let evil things defeat you. But defeat evil things by your good behaviour.

Paul had been a witness of Stephen’s death. At that time, Paul was among Stephen’s enemies. But Stephen prayed for the people who were killing him (Acts 7:60). Stephen asked God to forgive them. Paul also knew Jesus’ words from the *cross (Luke 23:34). He knew what Jesus taught about enemies (Matthew 5:38-48). So Paul urges Christians not to behave wrongly. Even when someone hurts a Christian, the Christian must not hurt that person.

Verses 17-18 Christians must refuse to do what is wrong. But they must also show that their actions are good. They must do everything possible to encourage *peace. It may not be possible always to live in a quiet manner. Enemies may oppose Christians, even when the Christians are behaving well. And sometimes it is right for Christians to protest against wicked acts. Especially, a Christian should protest if other people are suffering rather than himself. But the Christian must do everything possible to avoid quarrels.

Verses 19-21 A Christian must not attack back when someone has hurt him. Paul gives three reasons why.

1. Only God has the right to punish actions. Paul uses words from Deuteronomy 32:35. In the present, human law courts have the responsibility to show God’s *wrath (Romans 13:4). In the end, God himself will show his fair judgement (Romans 2:5).

2. If an enemy receives kindness, he may be sorry for his actions. He may change his ways. Paul uses words from Proverbs 25:21-22. ‘Hot coals’ means that the enemy will be very ashamed.

3. A Christian must not hate someone who hates him. Such behaviour only makes the situation worse. And a Christian who hates is not behaving in the proper manner. A Christian should show love, not hate. The enemy will have succeeded if the Christian starts to behave in a wicked manner. Evil deeds cannot defeat someone who is evil. Instead, Christians overcome evil powers when they do the right things. They do the things that God wants them to do. And that is the only way to defeat *sin.

Roman ~ a person from the city called Rome, or a description of anything that has a relationship with Rome. Rome was the most important city in the world at the time when Paul wrote this letter. It was the capital city where the Emperor lived.
Emperor ~ ruler over many countries.
worship ~ to show honour to God (or to a false god), alone or with other people.
sacrifice ~ something which people offer to God, especially an animal that they killed as a gift to God. Jesus’ death was the perfect sacrifice because, by his death, he freed people from sin.
sin ~ evil deeds against God’s law; or to do such deeds.
spiritual ~ a description of something that belongs to the spirit.
relationship ~ a friendship; or way in which people know each other.
Christ ~ the Greek word for Messiah, that is, Jesus.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament; or a word that describes anything that came from the country called Greece; or the people who came from Greece; or anyone who followed the same culture as people from Greece.
Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king who would come to rescue them; the Christ (that is, Jesus).

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, about Jesus and the early church.

Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
glory ~ great beauty and honour. Only God (or Christ) has perfect glory.
Christ ~ the Greek word for Messiah, that is, Jesus.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament; or a word that describes anything that came from the country called Greece; or the people who came from Greece; or anyone who followed the same culture as people from Greece.
Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king who would come to rescue them; the Christ (that is, Jesus).

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, about Jesus and the early church.

Jew, Jewish ~ a person whose ancestors were Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
ancestors ~ people or members of the family or nation in the past.
apostle ~ someone who goes out to preach about Jesus; one of the 12 men whom Jesus sent out.
preach ~ to tell and to explain the good news about Jesus.
holy ~ something or someone that is special for God.
Lord ~ God; the word that we may use for Jesus when we obey him; someone who rules or who is a master.
grace ~ God’s love that people do not deserve.
judge ~ to act as a judge; to accuse other people; to pretend to be a judge.
faith ~ trust in someone or something; the things that Christians believe about Jesus.
judge ~ to act as a judge; to accuse other people; to pretend to be a judge.
prophecy ~ words that God gave someone to speak or to write down; especially, a message from God about the future.
prophecy ~ words that God gave someone to speak or to write down; especially, a message from God about the future.
Greek ~ the language in which the authors wrote the New Testament; or a word that describes anything that came from the country called Greece; or the people who came from Greece; or anyone who followed the same culture as people from Greece.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, about Jesus and the early church.
preach ~ to tell and to explain the good news about Jesus.
disciples ~ students; people who follow another person to learn from him.
mercy ~ kindness, the love that God shows when he forgives.
sin ~ evil deeds against God’s law; or to do such deeds.
sin ~ evil deeds against God’s law; or to do such deeds.'New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, about Jesus and the early church.
angel ~ a servant from God who brings his messages.
cross ~ two pieces of wood that people have fixed together in the shape of a cross. Soldiers would attach a criminal to a cross in order to kill that person.
peace ~ a calm and content attitude.
wrath ~ great anger; God’s anger against sin.
sin ~ evil deeds against God’s law; or to do such deeds.