Bible Strands
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul, writing to the Roman church, places this command between sharing with saints in need (12:13) and rejoicing/weeping with others (12:15), as one item in a list of practical obligations.
The words — εὐλογεῖτε (eulogeite, "do bless") is repeated twice against a single κατάρασθε (katarasthe, "do curse"), weighting the positive command over the prohibition.
The thread — Matthew 5:44 commands prayer for persecutors; 1 Peter 3:9 forbids repaying evil with evil and instead calls for blessing; 1 Thessalonians 5:15 echoes the same "no retaliation" principle.
Why it lands — The command is directed at the one being persecuted, not the persecutor: the reader is to bless the person actively harming them and to withhold a curse.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- 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.
- Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- 1 Corinthians 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
- Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
- James 3:10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
- 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.
- 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.
- 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: