Romans 12

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence…” The line’s distinctive content terms include cheerfulness, diligence, exhortation. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Naming Abhor keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” Naming Not keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Naming Rejoicing keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” Naming Distributing keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” Naming Rejoice keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” Naming Provide and Recompense keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” The line’s distinctive content terms include lieth, live, peaceably. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will…” Naming Dearly keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” The line’s distinctive content terms include evil, overcome, good. Its relationship to verses 20 shows what work it does in this passage.