Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should 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.
- 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 12:17Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
- Prov 20:22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
- Rom 12:14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
- Rom 12:19–21Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
- 1 Th 5:15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
- Luke 6:27–29But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
- Matt 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- Prov 17:13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
- Eph 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
- Matt 5:39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- 1 Pet 2:20–23For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
- 1 Cor 4:12–13And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
- Rom 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
- 1 Pet 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
- Matt 25:34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
- Heb 6:14Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
- Luke 10:25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
- Matt 19:29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
- Luke 18:18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
- Mark 10:17And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
- Rom 8:30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
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Original language
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