Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Original Language Analysis
Παρακαλῶ
I beseech
G3870
Παρακαλῶ
I beseech
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
1 of 23
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 23
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
4 of 23
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
5 of 23
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
of God
G2316
θεῷ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
παραστῆσαι
that ye present
G3936
παραστῆσαι
that ye present
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
10 of 23
to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματα
bodies
G4983
σώματα
bodies
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
12 of 23
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
θυσίαν
sacrifice
G2378
θυσίαν
sacrifice
Strong's:
G2378
Word #:
14 of 23
sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively)
ἁγίαν
holy
G40
ἁγίαν
holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
16 of 23
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
of God
G2316
θεῷ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
19 of 23
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Peter 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.Romans 6:13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.Romans 6:19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.Ephesians 4:1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,Psalms 19:14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.Romans 6:16Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?2 Corinthians 4:16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.Psalms 116:12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?1 Thessalonians 4:1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
Historical Context
Paul wrote Romans around 57 CE from Corinth, preparing for his visit to Rome and anticipated mission to Spain. The Roman church was a mixed congregation of Jewish and Gentile believers navigating tensions over law observance, dietary practices, and the relationship between Israel and the church. Chapter 12 begins Paul's practical application after the theological foundation of chapters 1-11, addressing how the gospel transforms everyday Christian living in the cosmopolitan capital of the empire.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding the 'mercies of God' in Romans 1-11 change your motivation for obedience from duty to grateful response?
- What specific areas of your bodily life (time, relationships, sexuality, resources) need to be offered as 'living sacrifices'?
- In what ways might your worship be more emotional than 'rational'—disconnected from the doctrinal truths Paul established?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. The pivotal word therefore (οὖν, oun) connects eleven chapters of doctrine to the practical ethics that follow—Paul's theology always produces transformed living. By the mercies of God (διὰ τῶν οἰκτιρμῶν τοῦ θεοῦ, dia ton oiktirmon tou theou) grounds Christian obedience in divine compassion, not legal obligation. The appeal is to present your bodies (παραστῆσαι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν, parastēsai ta sōmata hymōn), using the same verb for offering sacrifices at the altar—but this sacrifice is living (ζῶσαν, zōsan), not slaughtered.
Paul's phrase reasonable service (λογικὴν λατρείαν, logikēn latreian) is better rendered 'rational worship' or 'spiritual worship'—in light of God's mercies in chapters 1-11 (justification, reconciliation, adoption, glorification), offering ourselves is the only logical response. This verse inaugurates the paraenetic (ethical exhortation) section of Romans, showing that justification by faith leads inevitably to consecrated living. The body, once an instrument of sin (6:13), becomes the temple of worship.