not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing.
Parallel translations
- KJV Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
- NASB not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.
- NLT Don’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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Rather than repaying evil or insult in kind, believers should bless, since they are called to inherit a blessing. Christians return blessing for wrong because blessing is their calling and inheritance.
Overview
Peter forbids retaliation—'evil for evil, or insult for insult'—and commands blessing instead, echoing Jesus' teaching. This non-retaliation is not weakness but obedience to the Christian calling. Those who bless others reflect the God who has called them to 'inherit a blessing,' so they extend the grace they have received.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Rom 12:17Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
- Prov 20:22Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
- Rom 12:14Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.
- Rom 12:19–21Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- 1 Th 5:15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.
- Luke 6:27–29“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
- Matt 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
- Prov 17:13Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
- Eph 4:32And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
- Matt 5:39But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- 1 Pet 2:20–23For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.
- 1 Cor 4:12–13We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
- Rom 8:28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
- 1 Pet 5:10But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
- Matt 25:34Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
- Heb 6:14saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”
- Luke 10:25Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Matt 19:29Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.
- Luke 18:18A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Mark 10:17As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
- Rom 8:30Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.
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