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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.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Romans 12:14

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Romans 12:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ευλογειτε τους διωκοντας υμας ευλογειτε και μη καταρασθε
ευλογειτε eulogeō G2127 to praise/bless Verb-PAM-2P
τους ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APM
διωκοντας diōkō G1377 to pursue Verb-PAP-APM
υμας su G4771 you Pron-2AP
ευλογειτε eulogeō G2127 to praise/bless Verb-PAM-2P
και kai G2532 and Conj
μη G3361 not Particle-N
καταρασθε kataraomai G2672 to curse Verb-PNM-2P
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Greek Word Reference — Romans 12:14

ευλογειτε eulogeō G2127 "to praise/bless" Verb-PAM-2P
To praise or bless someone means to speak well of them, like in Luke 1:64 where Zechariah praises God. It's about thanking or invoking a blessing on someone.
Definition: εὐλογέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for בָּרַךְ pi. ;] __1. to speak well of, praise (cl.; LXX Deu.8:10, al.): τ. θεόν, Luk.1:64 2:28 24:51, 53 (αἰνοῦντες, T, WH, mg.), Jas.3:9; absol., to give praise, Mat.14:19 26:26 (see Swete on Mrk.14:22), Mrk.6:41 14:22 (see Swete, in l), Luk.24:30, 1Co.14:16. __2. As in LXX (= בָּרַךְ pi.); __(a) to bless, invoke blessings on (Gen.24:60, Num.23:20, al.): absol., 1Co.4:12, 1Pe.3:9; with accusative of person(s), Luk.2:34 6:28 24:50-51, Rom.12:14, Heb.7:1, 6-7 11:20-21; εὐλογημένος (= בָּרַךְ; see Lft., Notes, 310; DCG, i, 189), blessed, Mat.21:9 23:39" (LXX), Mrk.11:9-10, Luk.13:35 19:38" (LXX), Jhn.12:13; with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.8:7, Luk.9:16, 1Co.10:16; __(b) with God as subject (Psa.44:3, al.), to bless, prosper, bestow blessings on: with accusative of person(s), Act.3:26, Gal.3:9, Eph.1:3 (Lft., Notes, 311), Heb.6:14; εὐλογημένος, Luk.1:28 (WH, tit., R, tit., omit) Luk.1:42; εὐλογημένοι τ. πατρός (cf. Isa.61:9), Mat.25:34; pass. Act.3:25 (cf. ἐν-, κατ-ευλογέω).† SYN.: see: αἰνέω, and cf. DCG, i, 189, 211; Cremer, 766 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 40 NT verses. KJV: bless, praise See also: 1 Corinthians 4:12; Luke 6:28; 1 Peter 3:9.
τους ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
διωκοντας diōkō G1377 "to pursue" Verb-PAP-APM
To pursue or follow someone, which can be done with or without hostile intent, as seen in Matthew 5:10-12 and Luke 17:23. It can also mean to persecute, as in Acts 26:11 and Revelation 12:13. This word is used to describe chasing after something or someone.
Definition: διώκω [in LXX chiefly for רָדַף ;] __1. to put to flight, drive away: Mat.23:34. __2. to pursue; __(a) of persons; with accusative, without hostility, to follow after: Luk.17:23; with hostile purpose: Act.26:11, Rev.12:13. Hence, to persecute: Mat.5:10-12, 44 10:23, Luk.11:49 21:12, Jhn.5:16 15:20, Act.7:52 9:4-5 22:4, 7-8 26:14-15 Rom.12:14, 1Co.4:12 15:9, 2Co.4:9, Gal.1:13, 23 4:29 5:11 6:12, Php.3:6, 2Ti.3:12; __(b) metaphorically, with accusative of thing(s), of seeking eagerly after: Rom.9:30, 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.2:22; νόμον δικαιοσύνης, Rom.9:31; τ. φιλοξενίαν, Rom.12:13; εἰρήνην, Heb.12:14, 1Pe.3:11; τὰ τῆς εἰ., Rom.14:19; τ. ἀγάπην, 1Co.14:1; τὸ ἀγαθόν, 1Th.5:15; absol., to follow on, drive, or speed on (Æsch.), Php.3:12, 14.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 43 NT verses. KJV: ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward See also: 1 Corinthians 4:12; Galatians 5:11; 1 Peter 3:11.
υμας su G4771 "you" Pron-2AP
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
ευλογειτε eulogeō G2127 "to praise/bless" Verb-PAM-2P
To praise or bless someone means to speak well of them, like in Luke 1:64 where Zechariah praises God. It's about thanking or invoking a blessing on someone.
Definition: εὐλογέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for בָּרַךְ pi. ;] __1. to speak well of, praise (cl.; LXX Deu.8:10, al.): τ. θεόν, Luk.1:64 2:28 24:51, 53 (αἰνοῦντες, T, WH, mg.), Jas.3:9; absol., to give praise, Mat.14:19 26:26 (see Swete on Mrk.14:22), Mrk.6:41 14:22 (see Swete, in l), Luk.24:30, 1Co.14:16. __2. As in LXX (= בָּרַךְ pi.); __(a) to bless, invoke blessings on (Gen.24:60, Num.23:20, al.): absol., 1Co.4:12, 1Pe.3:9; with accusative of person(s), Luk.2:34 6:28 24:50-51, Rom.12:14, Heb.7:1, 6-7 11:20-21; εὐλογημένος (= בָּרַךְ; see Lft., Notes, 310; DCG, i, 189), blessed, Mat.21:9 23:39" (LXX), Mrk.11:9-10, Luk.13:35 19:38" (LXX), Jhn.12:13; with accusative of thing(s), Mrk.8:7, Luk.9:16, 1Co.10:16; __(b) with God as subject (Psa.44:3, al.), to bless, prosper, bestow blessings on: with accusative of person(s), Act.3:26, Gal.3:9, Eph.1:3 (Lft., Notes, 311), Heb.6:14; εὐλογημένος, Luk.1:28 (WH, tit., R, tit., omit) Luk.1:42; εὐλογημένοι τ. πατρός (cf. Isa.61:9), Mat.25:34; pass. Act.3:25 (cf. ἐν-, κατ-ευλογέω).† SYN.: see: αἰνέω, and cf. DCG, i, 189, 211; Cremer, 766 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 40 NT verses. KJV: bless, praise See also: 1 Corinthians 4:12; Luke 6:28; 1 Peter 3:9.
και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
μη G3361 "not" Particle-N
Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.
Definition: μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] __I. As a neg. adv., not; __1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. __2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.
καταρασθε kataraomai G2672 "to curse" Verb-PNM-2P
To curse someone means to wish harm or evil upon them, as seen in Mark 11:21 and Luke 6:26. It is the opposite of blessing or speaking well of someone.
Definition: κατ-αράομαι, -ώμαι depon. (κατάρα), [in LXX chiefly for קָלַל pi. ;] to curse: with accusative, Mrk.11:21; opposite to εὐλογέω, Luk.6:26, Rom.12:14, Jas.3:9; pass. pf. ptcp., accursed, under a curse (see M, Pr., 221): Mat.25:41.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: curse See also: James 3:9; Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14.

Study Notes — Romans 12:14

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Cross References

ReferenceText (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

  1. What are some ways you can bless someone who has wronged you this week?
  2. How does your response to persecution or difficulty reveal your trust in God's sovereignty and love?
  3. In what ways can you show the love of Christ to those who may be opposed to you or your faith?
  4. 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

Bless them which persecute you,.... It is the lot of God's, people in this world to be persecuted by the men of it, in some shape or another, either by words or deeds; either by reviling and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 12:14

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Bless (that is, Wish and call down by prayer a blessing on) them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 12:14

Bless them which persecute you; i.e. pray for them, and wish well to them. This is borrowed from : see the like in . This is commended to us by the example of Christ himself, ; of Stephen, ; of Paul, and the primitive Christians, . Bless, and curse not: his doubling the exhortation shows the difficulty of the duty; it is contrary to corrupt nature: and it denotes the constancy of it; we must persevere therein. When he saith, curse not, he means, wish no evil to your enemies. Objection. The prophets and apostles went contrary to this: see ,23 Ac 8:20 13:10,11 23:3. Answer. These did it by a special vocation and instinct of the Spirit.

Trapp's Commentary on Romans 12:14

14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Ver. 14. Bless them]

Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 12:14

(14) Bless them which persecute you.—Apparently with allusion to Matthew 5:44. It was probably just about the time that St. Paul was writing this Epistle, or at most a year or two later, that the series of compositions which ultimately took the shape of our present Gospels began. It is not, however, necessary to suppose that St. Paul had actually seen one of these. The record of our Lord’s teaching was no doubt at first preserved and circulated in the Church orally, and it would be in this form that St. Paul first became acquainted with the precept to which he here seems to allude. There is, perhaps, another reference to the Sermon on the Mount in 1 Corinthians 7:10. Such references occur (as we should expect) more frequently in the Epistle of St. James.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 12:14

Verse 14. Bless them which persecute you] ευλογειτε, Give good words, or pray for them that give you bad words, καταρασθε, who make dire imprecations against you. Bless them, pray for them, and on no account curse them, whatever the provocation may be. Have the loving, forgiving mind that was in your Lord.

Cambridge Bible on Romans 12:14

14. Bless them which persecute you] According to the Lord’s own express precept; see Luke 6:28. See also His example, Luke 23:34.—The Roman Church was not at this time under special trial of persecution; so we seem to gather from the general tone of this Epistle. But soon the Neronian persecution was to break upon it; and meantime, in one form or another, persecution was always going on, if only on a private scale. Cp. 2 Timothy 3:12.

Barnes' Notes on Romans 12:14

Bless them ... - see the note at Matthew 5:44; compare Luke 6:28. Bless, and curse not - Bless only; or continue to bless, however long or aggravated may be the injury.

Sermons on Romans 12:14

SermonDescription
Art Katz 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
Jim Cymbala 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
Charles E. Fuller 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
John Piper 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
William MacDonald 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
John Piper 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
Aaron Hurst 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

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