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, and weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them 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 12:19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
• Proverbs 20:22Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
• Matthew 5:39But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
• 1 Peter 3:9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
• Romans 14:16Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.
• 1 Corinthians 6:6But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
• 1 Corinthians 13:4Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
• 2 Corinthians 8:20We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift.
• Philippians 4:8And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
• Colossians 4:5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:12Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:22Stay away from every kind of evil.
• 1 Timothy 5:14So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them.
• 1 Peter 2:12Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
• 1 Peter 3:16But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

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