Romans 12:17

Romans 12:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
• New International Version (NIV)Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

Context of Romans 12:17

15Be happy with those who are happy. Be sad with those who are sad. 16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly to humble people. Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are. Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble. 18As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. 19Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.”

Romans 12:17 word by word

μηδενὶ κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ ἀποδιδόντες, προνοούμενοι καλὰ ἐνώπιον πάντων ἀνθρώπων·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Recompenseἀποδίδωμιapodidōmi · to payG591
• to no manμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
• evilκακόςkakos · evil/harm: evilG2556
• forἀντίanti · forG473
• Provideπρονοέωpronoeō · to care forG4306
• things honestκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• in the sight ofἐνώπιονenōpion · beforeG1799
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444

Cross-references for Romans 12:17

• Romans 12:19Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.”
• Proverbs 20:22Do not say, “I’ll get even with you!” Wait for the Lord, and he will save you.
• Matthew 5:39But I tell you not to oppose an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to him as well.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.
• 1 Peter 3:9Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.
• Romans 14:16Don’t allow anyone to say that what you consider good is evil.
• 1 Corinthians 6:6Instead, one believer goes to court against another believer, and this happens in front of unbelievers.
• 1 Corinthians 13:4Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant.
• 2 Corinthians 8:20We don’t want anyone to find fault with the way we are administering this generous gift.
• Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.
• Colossians 4:5Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside ⌞the Christian faith⌟. Make the most of your opportunities.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:12Then your way of life will win respect from those outside ⌞the church⌟, and you won’t have to depend on anyone else for what you need.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:22Keep away from every kind of evil.
• 1 Timothy 5:14So I want younger widows to marry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them.
• 1 Peter 2:12Live decent lives among unbelievers. Then, although they ridicule you as if you were doing wrong while they are watching you do good things, they will praise God on the day he comes to help you.
• 1 Peter 3:16Keep your conscience clear. Then those who treat the good Christian life you live with contempt will feel ashamed that they have ridiculed you.

Commentaries on Romans 12:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Recompense, etc. - Do not take notice of every little injury you may sustain. Do not be litigious. Beware of too nice a sense of your own honor; intolerable pride is at the bottom of this. The motto of the royal arms of Scotland is in direct opposition to this Divine direction - Nemo me impune lacesset, of which "I render evil for evil to every man," is a pretty literal translation. This is both antichristian and abominable, whether in a state or in an…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Recompense - Render, give, or return; see the note at Matthew 5:39. This is probably one of the most difficult precepts of Christianity; but the law of Christ on the subject is unyielding. It is a solemn demand made on all his followers, and it “must” be obeyed. Provide - The word rendered “provide” means properly to “think” or “meditate beforehand.” Make it a matter of “previous thought,” of “settled plan,” of “design.” This direction would make it a…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-21Verses 17-21 Since men became enemies to God, they have been very ready to be enemies one to another. And those that embrace religion, must expect to meet with enemies in a world whose smiles seldom agree with Christ's. Recompense to no man evil for evil. That is a brutish recompence, befitting only animals, which are not conscious of any being above them, or of any existence hereafter. And not only do, but study and take care to do, that which is amiable…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-21The many instructions in these verses are not arranged in a strict or orderly pattern. The main theme, stated at the beginning, is sincere love. Paul explains how believers should show love to people inside the church (12:10, 13, 15–16). He also explains how they should show love to people outside the church (12:14, 17–21).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. Recompense--"Recompensing," &c.--(See on Ro 12:14). Provide--"Providing" things honest--"honorable" in the sight of all men--The idea (which is from Pr 3:4) is the care which Christians should take so to demean themselves as to command the respect of all men.Read the comment

Topics related to Romans 12:17

• Commandments
• Forgiveness
• Religion
• Retaliation
• Revenge

In the dictionaries

• Affectioned
• Cheerfulness
• Cleave
• Curse
• Dissimulation
• Distribute
• Fervent
• Honest
• Instant
• Kindly

Commentaries on Romans 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings