Devine Scripture

Romans 12:11

What does Romans 12:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 12:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 12:11 means

Love must not be lazy. Believers are to be diligent—energetic in doing good—fervent in spirit, and servants of the Lord. Spiritual zeal, not lukewarmness, marks a consecrated life. Fervor is not frenzy; it is a sustained inner fire that fuels faithful service. Serving the Lord gives direction and dignity to all tasks, whether public or hidden. Zeal without love becomes harsh, but love without zeal grows sluggish. Here Paul binds them: wholehearted, Spirit-kindled energy in the Lord’s work, resisting apathy and procrastination. Such diligence reflects the worthiness of the One we serve and encourages others to press on.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Be not slow in your work, but be quick in spirit, as the Lord's servants;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

in the diligence not slothful; in the spirit fervent; the Lord serving;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

In carefulness not slothful. In spirit fervent. Serving the Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

as to diligent zealousness, not slothful; in spirit fervent; serving the Lord.

Context

Following the call to brotherly affection and honoring others, Paul addresses the manner of our service: not slothful, but fervent, serving the Lord. This strengthens the previous exhortations with the needed drive. Verse 12 will balance zeal with hope, patience in trials, and steadfast prayer—virtues that keep fervor from burning out or turning fleshly. The flow teaches that vibrant Christian community requires both warm affection and energetic service, under the Lordship of Christ, sustained by hope-filled endurance and communion with God.

v.10In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;

v.11This passage

v.12rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 5:16

    Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.

  • Revelation 3:15

    I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:22

    For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord’s freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ’s bondservant.

  • 1 Timothy 5:13

    And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

  • Ephesians 4:28

    Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.

  • Revelation 2:4

    But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love.

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