Repay No One Evil For Evil
November 22, 2020
Commentary
These verses in this passage summarize the core of Christian living. In this day of constant lawsuits and demands for legal rights, Paul’s command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him (vv. 17-21). We are given four Biblical principles on how to treat our fellow men, no matter how they may treat us.
1. “Recompense to no man evil for evil” (v. 17a). This is the way Joseph treated his brothers. Even though they persecuted him and sold him into slavery he protected, pardoned, promoted, and provided for them.
2. “Provide things honest in the sight of all men” (v. 17b). We are not to say one thing and practice another. Our word must be trustworthy no matter how inconvenient it may be to make it good.
3. “Live peaceably with all men” (v. 18). This does not mean that it is always possible to live peaceably with all men, but as Christians we should never be the “peace-breaker”.
4. “Avenge not yourselves” (v. 19). If you defend yourself, then the Lord can’t defend you. God has promised to take care of us. Our job is not to protect ourselves, but to obey the Lord and leave the results up to Him.
In the last three verses of this chapter Paul gives three reasons we are to keep from taking revenge:
1. Vengeance belongs to God and not to us (v. 19). He will settle all accounts in His time.
2. We are to treat men with kindness (v. 20). Vengeance may break his spirit, but kindness will break his heart.
3. Evil can never be conquered by evil (v. 21). If hatred is met with hatred, it only increases.
Application
Which one of the above is my weakest area? What am I doing to make this a positive area of my life?
Romans 12:17– 21 (NET)
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Illustration: How Abrahm Lincoln Treated His Confederate Soldiers
The father’s reaction to the prodigal son and his elder son mirrors the answer Abraham Lincoln gave to a question he was asked about how he would treat all the Confederate soldiers once the Civil War was over. Expecting vengeance and even thoughts of execution because of treason, Lincoln surprised all of them by saying, “I will treat them as if they had never been away.” (Charles Mallory – Sermon Central)