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.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- 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.
- 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 12:17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- Prov 20:22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
- Rom 12:14Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
- Rom 12:19–21Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- 1 Th 5:15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- Luke 6:27–29But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
- Matt 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- Prov 17:13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.
- Eph 4:32Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
- Matt 5:39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
- 1 Pet 2:20–23How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
- 1 Cor 4:12–13We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
- Rom 8:28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- 1 Pet 5:10And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.
- Matt 25:34Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
- Heb 6:14saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”
- Luke 10:25One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Matt 19:29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
- Luke 18:18Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Mark 10:17As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Rom 8:30And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
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Original language
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