Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Parallel translations
- WEB Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
- KJV Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
- NKJV Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
- NASB Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people.
- NLT Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
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
Never repay evil with evil; aim to do what is honorable in everyone's sight.
Overview
Paul forbids retaliation and calls believers to conduct that is visibly honorable before all people. The concern for what is 'honorable in the sight of all men' guards the church's witness in a watching world. This continues the theme of overcoming evil with good rather than returning it.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Prov 20:22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
- 1 Th 5:15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- 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 3:9Do 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.
- 2 Cor 8:20–21We hope to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
- Phil 4:8–9Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
- Rom 12:19Do 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 Pet 3:16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
- 1 Pet 2:12Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
- Rom 14:16Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil.
- 1 Th 5:22Abstain from every form of evil.
- Col 4:5Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
- 1 Cor 13:4–5Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- Titus 2:4–5In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,
- 1 Th 4:12Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
- 1 Tim 5:14So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
- 1 Cor 6:6–7Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Paul unfolds the gospel in full: Christ our righteousness received by faith, the second Adam in whom many are made righteous, in whose death and resurrection we are buried and raised.
How Romans 12:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.