12:13 12:13

Romans 12:14

12:15 12:15

Bible Versions

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Bless {G2127} them which persecute {G1377} you {G5209}: bless {G2127}, and {G2532} curse {G2672} not {G3361}.
Bless those who persecute you — bless them, don’t curse them!
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.

Romans 12:14 (KJV) is a powerful command from the Apostle Paul, urging believers to respond to hostility with grace and love, rather than retaliation. It encapsulates a core principle of Christian ethics: to bless those who cause harm and to refrain from cursing them.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's practical exhortations in Romans chapter 12, which shifts from deep theological exposition to practical Christian living. Following the call to present oneself as a living sacrifice and to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2), Paul outlines various aspects of a Spirit-led life. This particular instruction on blessing persecutors fits within a broader section (Romans 12:9-21) that emphasizes genuine love, humility, patience, and non-retaliation towards all people, even enemies.

Key Themes

  • Radical Love and Non-Retaliation: The command to "bless them which persecute you" stands in stark contrast to natural human inclination, which often seeks revenge or retribution. This reflects the counter-cultural nature of the Christian faith and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
  • Active Good Will: The instruction is not merely to refrain from harm, but to actively seek the good of those who are hostile. This proactive blessing is a demonstration of divine love operating through believers, regardless of the other person's actions.
  • Trust in God's Justice: By relinquishing the right to curse or retaliate, believers place their trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty, as further elaborated in Romans 12:19.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "bless" comes from the Greek eulogeō (εὐλογέω), meaning "to speak well of," "to praise," or "to invoke divine favor upon." It implies a positive declaration or prayer for the well-being of another, similar to how we use the word "eulogy" (a good word spoken). The repetition ("bless, and curse not") emphasizes the absolute nature of this positive command.
  • "Persecute" is from the Greek diōkō (διώκω), which means "to pursue," "to chase," or "to harass." It signifies active hostility or oppression, whether physical, social, or verbal.
  • "Curse" is from kataromai (καταράομαι), meaning "to invoke evil upon" or "to wish harm to." Paul explicitly forbids this natural human response to ill-treatment.

Related Scriptures

This teaching echoes the words of Jesus Himself, who commanded His followers to "love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Peter also reinforces this principle, urging believers not to return evil for evil, but to bless (1 Peter 3:9). Paul concludes this section in Romans with the powerful statement: "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21), providing the overarching goal of such a radical Christian response.

Practical Application

Romans 12:14 challenges believers to transcend natural human impulses and respond to hostility with Christ-like compassion. This command is not easy to obey and requires the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. It calls for:

  • Intentional Prayer: Actively praying for the well-being, repentance, and salvation of those who actively oppose or harm us.
  • Verbal Restraint: Guarding our tongues against speaking ill of others, even those who wrong us, choosing instead to speak words that build up.
  • Powerful Witness: A gracious, non-retaliatory response to persecution can be a powerful testimony to the love of Christ and the reality of His transforming presence in a believer's life, often disarming opponents or leading them to reconsider their stance.

This verse encourages a posture of humility and dependence on God to enable such a supernatural response, fulfilling the call to live a life pleasing to Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 5:44

    But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

  • 1 Peter 3:9

    Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15

    See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].

  • 1 Corinthians 4:12

    And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

  • 1 Corinthians 4:13

    Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.

  • Romans 12:21

    Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

  • Luke 6:28

    Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
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