Romans 12:14
Romans 12:14 in Multiple Translations
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.
Give blessing and not curses to those who are cruel to you.
Bless those who persecute you—bless them, and don't curse them.
Blesse them which persecute you: blesse, I say, and curse not.
Bless those persecuting you; bless, and curse not;
Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
Bless them who persecute you; bless, and curse not.
Bless them that persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Ask God to be kind to those who ◄persecute you/cause you to suffer► because you believe in Jesus! Ask him to be kind to them; do not ask him to cause bad things to happen to them.
If anyone makes trouble for you, don’t ask God to punish them, but ask him to help them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Romans 12:14
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Romans 12:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Romans 12:14
Study Notes — Romans 12:14
- Context
- Cross References
- Romans 12:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Romans 12:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 12:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 12:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Romans 12:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 12:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 12:14
- Cambridge Bible on Romans 12:14
- Barnes' Notes on Romans 12:14
- Sermons on Romans 12:14
Context — Forgiveness
14Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Peter 3:9 | Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. |
| 2 | Matthew 5:44 | But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, |
| 3 | 1 Thessalonians 5:15 | Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people. |
| 4 | Romans 12:21 | Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. |
| 5 | 1 Corinthians 4:12–13 | We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. |
| 6 | Luke 6:28 | bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. |
| 7 | Luke 23:34 | Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. |
| 8 | James 3:10 | Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! |
| 9 | 1 Peter 2:21–23 | For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. |
| 10 | Acts 7:60 | Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. |
Romans 12:14 Summary
This verse is telling us to pray for and wish good things for people who are treating us badly, instead of wishing harm on them. This can be really hard to do, but it's what Jesus taught us to do in Matthew 5:44. When we bless those who persecute us, we are showing them the love of Christ and trusting God to work everything out for our good. By choosing to bless instead of curse, we are also obeying God's command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, as seen in Luke 6:27-28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to bless those who persecute us?
To bless those who persecute us means to pray for their well-being and salvation, as seen in Matthew 5:44, rather than seeking revenge or harm.
Is it really possible to bless someone who is hurting us?
Yes, with God's help, it is possible to bless those who persecute us, as we see in the example of Stephen in Acts 7:60, who prayed for his persecutors as they stoned him.
Why are we told not to curse those who persecute us?
We are told not to curse those who persecute us because cursing them would be seeking revenge, which belongs to God, as stated in Romans 12:19, and would also hinder our ability to show them the love of Christ.
How can we apply this verse in our everyday lives?
We can apply this verse by choosing to respond to difficult people or situations with kindness and prayer, rather than anger or resentment, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:32, and trusting God to work out the situation for our good and His glory.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways you can bless someone who has wronged you this week?
- How does your response to persecution or difficulty reveal your trust in God's sovereignty and love?
- In what ways can you show the love of Christ to those who may be opposed to you or your faith?
- What are some practical steps you can take to cultivate a heart of blessing, rather than cursing, towards those who hurt you?
Gill's Exposition on Romans 12:14
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 12:14
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 12:14
Trapp's Commentary on Romans 12:14
Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 12:14
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 12:14
Cambridge Bible on Romans 12:14
Barnes' Notes on Romans 12:14
Sermons on Romans 12:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Love Your Enemies by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of believers being a demonstration of God's love and power on earth. He explains that through their transformed lives, even th |
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The Position of Power by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, Pastor Jim Simba emphasizes the importance of prayer in our lives. He acknowledges that Satan tries to distract and cut us off from our supply line, which is prayer |
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Duty, Responsibility and Practice by Charles E. Fuller | In this sermon, Dr. Charles E. Fuller shares a personal story about a man who became one of his best friends after showing kindness and compassion. He emphasizes the importance of |
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Christ Overcame Evil With Good, Do the Same by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of love and the need to overcome evil with good. He highlights the concept of giving water and food to one's enemies and wanti |
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Studies in 1 Corinthians-03 1 Cor 4:1-13 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on 1 Corinthians chapter 4 and specifically discusses the judgment seat of Christ. He explains that when the Lord comes, there will be a judgme |
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When Is It Right to Repay Evil With Pain? by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker discusses five behaviors that go against the teachings of the Bible. These behaviors include punishing enemies, rewarding lack of learning, not paying w |
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The Preparation of the Bride by Aaron Hurst | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preparing ourselves for the coming of the bridegroom, which represents the return of Jesus Christ. He uses the parable of |






