Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Parallel translations
- WEB Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
- BSB Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- 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 20:22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
- 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.
- 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 3:9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
- 2 Cor 8:20–21Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:
- Phil 4:8–9Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
- Rom 12:19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
- 1 Pet 3:16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
- 1 Pet 2:12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
- Rom 14:16Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
- 1 Th 5:22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
- Col 4:5Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
- 1 Cor 13:4–5Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
- Titus 2:4–5That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
- 1 Th 4:12That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
- 1 Tim 5:14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
- 1 Cor 6:6–7But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the 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.