Romans 12 17

Romans 12:17 kjv

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:17 nkjv

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:17 niv

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

Romans 12:17 esv

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Romans 12:17 nlt

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

Romans 12 verses

Romans 12 17 Meaning

This verse instructs believers to refrain from returning harmful or injurious actions when wronged. Instead, it calls for an intentional and proactive effort to conduct oneself in a manner that is morally excellent, beautiful, and praiseworthy, ensuring such conduct is evident and commendable in the perception of everyone, both within and outside the Christian community. It is a profound call to non-retaliation and a public display of Christ-like integrity, serving as a powerful witness to the transformed life.

Romans 12 17 Context

Romans chapter 12 marks a pivotal shift in Paul's epistle, moving from profound theological exposition (chapters 1-11, covering humanity's sin, God's righteousness, justification by faith, and Israel's place in salvation history) to practical application for the believer's life. Following the call to present one's body as a living sacrifice and to be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom 12:1-2), Paul outlines what a renewed Christian life looks like in practice. This includes understanding spiritual gifts (Rom 12:3-8) and then living out genuine, active love (Rom 12:9-21). Romans 12:17 specifically falls within this section on ethical and relational conduct, emphasizing how believers are to interact with those who wrong them and how their behavior should be perceived by the wider world. Historically, in the Roman world, notions of honor and shame were paramount, often dictating that one avenge personal insults or wrongs. Paul's instruction stands in stark contrast to this prevailing cultural expectation, presenting a counter-cultural ethic rooted in the selfless love of Christ. It indirectly critiques contemporary beliefs by asserting a higher standard than worldly reciprocity.

Romans 12 17 Word analysis

• Repay (ἀποδίδωμι, apodidomi): Means "to give back," "to pay what is due," "to render." In this context, it carries the sense of retribution or returning an act. The verb form implies active, deliberate repayment. The imperative "repay no one" is a direct and forceful command against vengeful action.
• no one (μηδενί, mēdeni): An emphatic negative, extending to any person without exception. It underscores the universal scope of the prohibition – no person, whether believer or non-believer, enemy or friend, is to be repaid evil for evil.
• evil (κακόν, kakon): Refers to what is bad, harmful, or morally wrong. Its repetition ("evil for evil") highlights the tit-for-tat nature of revenge, where a wrong received is mirrored by a wrong returned. This cycle is explicitly forbidden.
• for (ἀντί, anti) evil: Anti signifies "in return for" or "in place of." The structure reinforces the reciprocal nature of retaliation that the Christian is to avoid.
• but (ἀλλά, alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or turning point from the previous negative command to a positive directive.
• give thought to do (προνοεῖσθε, pronoeisthe): From pronoeō, meaning "to consider beforehand," "to make provision for," "to plan ahead for." It's an active, deliberate, and proactive command, not merely passive non-retaliation. Believers are to intentionally choose and plan for virtuous actions.
• what is honorable (καλά, kala): The plural form of kalos, which means "beautiful," "good," "excellent," "praiseworthy," or "noble." It denotes a moral excellence that is intrinsically appealing and reputable, encompassing more than just mere goodness. It speaks to a quality of life that is attractive and ethically sound.
• in the sight of (ἐνώπιον, enōpion): Means "in the presence of," "before the eyes of." It highlights the public and observable aspect of the conduct. This behavior is not hidden but open for inspection.
• all (πάντων, pantōn): Refers to everyone without distinction—fellow believers, unbelievers, antagonists, and society at large. This universal scope means Christian conduct should be commendable to all observers, forming a powerful public testimony.

Words-group analysis:

• Repay no one evil for evil: This phrase serves as an absolute prohibition against any form of personal vengeance or retribution. It actively breaks the cycle of reciprocal harm, instructing believers to absorb wrongdoing rather than perpetuating it. This aligns with Christ's teaching on loving enemies and not resisting evil.
• but give thought to do what is honorable: This segment moves from prohibition to positive command. It emphasizes active virtue and intentional planning to perform actions that are not just "good" but also "beautiful," "noble," and morally excellent. This goes beyond mere avoidance of evil; it is a pursuit of exemplary behavior. The word "give thought" (or "provide for" in some translations) underlines the intentionality and foresight required in living this way.
• in the sight of all: This phrase adds a crucial dimension of public witness and accountability. Christian conduct is not just for one's conscience or God, but it is meant to be visibly commendable to everyone—friends, enemies, and observers. It highlights the evangelistic and missional aspect of living a life of integrity, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel to a watching world. This distinguishes believers from those who might act honorably only when it benefits them, as Christian honor here is irrespective of external benefit.

Romans 12 17 Bonus section

The injunction "Repay no one evil for evil" echoes Old Testament principles against revenge (e.g., Lev 19:18; Prov 20:22) but is profoundly deepened and expanded by Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:38-48) and applied by Paul through the lens of the gospel. It represents a paradigm shift from a justice-focused lex talionis (an eye for an eye) applied personally to a love-motivated response that seeks to break the cycle of vengeance. The command is a testament to the distinctiveness of the new covenant ethic, where grace empowers a response utterly counter to fallen human nature. This honor, or "good," is not about earning human approval for self-glory but about authentically reflecting Christ's character, even to those who oppose. The "sight of all" includes non-believers, who often form opinions about Christ based on the observable conduct of His followers, underscoring the apologetic value of such behavior.

Romans 12 17 Commentary

Romans 12:17 concisely encapsulates a profound and distinctively Christian ethic of interpersonal conduct. It demands more than just refraining from revenge; it mandates an active, deliberate pursuit of conduct that is inherently good, beautiful, and esteemed by all observers. This proactive engagement in what is honorable—literally "beautiful" or "excellent"—is a core component of the renewed mind spoken of in Rom 12:2. It asserts that Christian discipleship should be so transformative that believers rise above the common human inclination to retaliate, choosing instead a path of ethical excellence visible to everyone. This public aspect is crucial: believers' lives are a testimony. How they respond to wrongdoing speaks volumes about their faith. This command doesn't negate justice; rather, it relinquishes personal justice into God's sovereign hands (as explicitly stated in the subsequent verses) and replaces it with a Christ-like pattern of living that seeks the welfare of others, even opponents. It's an outward manifestation of inward transformation and God's love.Example: If a co-worker unfairly maligns your character, instead of gossiping or seeking their dismissal, you diligently and with integrity continue your work, showing respect and kindness towards them, letting your consistently excellent and fair conduct be evident to everyone.