Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
The verse commands repaying no one wrong for wrong but answering harm with good, and living with honesty and integrity openly before everyone. It belongs to a connected Christian duty to sympathize with others, live humbly and peaceably with all as far as possible, leave avenging to the Lord, feed a hungry enemy and give drink to a thirsty enemy, and overcome evil with good. When mistreated, misrepresented, or wrongfully accused, believers are to remain patient and forbearing, guard speech, refuse provocation, keep silence rather than retaliate, cherish no bitterness or dislike, and leave vindication with God. Those who present truth must not meet falsehood, slighting, or an unchristian temper with pride, accusation, condemnation, or wounding words, but remain calm, dignified, considerate and tender, praying for opposers and manifesting the Spirit of Christ to soften and convince hearts. Providing what is honest in everyone's sight requires consistency and a correct influence, even refraining from what might be lawful if it would appear wrong, and this lived obedience marks true believers who are transformed by the renewing of the mind.
Words and Context
Recompense to no one evil for evil, and provide what is honest and right in the sight of all, acting with honesty and integrity in a way evident to everyone. It belongs to the practical instruction of Romans 12, instruction of high value. That instruction stands as history for all churches, must be brought into daily life, and plainly shows what is required of the church in every place.
It is addressed to Christians as members of the heavenly family and of Christ's one body. As such it calls them to active, loving service, to help and strengthen one another instead of taking revenge. It calls for the variety of gifts to be brought together, each finding its proper place, to grow into a holy temple in the Lord.
It stands as one part of a connected Christian duty. That duty includes rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep, being of the same mind toward one another, not minding high things but condescending to men of low estate, and not being wise in one's own conceits. It includes living peaceably with all as far as possible, avenging not oneself but giving place to wrath because vengeance belongs to the Lord, feeding a hungry enemy and giving drink to a thirsty enemy, and being not overcome of evil but overcoming evil with good.
Returning Good for Evil
The command forbids paying back wrong with wrong and requires answering with good, repaying harmful and malicious acts with kindness and helping and strengthening one another instead of taking revenge. When mistreated or misrepresented, patience and forbearance are to be maintained through the difficulty rather than returning evil for evil. Christ is the pattern for this conduct, and keeping this rule is part of overcoming as Christ overcame in order to win heaven and to join in helping others overcome. It belongs to the conduct of Christians toward one another as members of the heavenly family and as members of Christ's one body, called to active, loving service and to honest living before all people, overcoming evil with good.
This life of overcoming requires a mind kept free from everything that depresses, clear, pure, clean and healthy, strictly guarded and at all times under the control of God and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Wholly surrendered to God to be sanctified through the truth, such a mind enables good work and a much higher standard. The same life is of the same mind toward one another, not minding high things but condescending to men of low estate, not wise in one's own conceits, living peaceably with all as far as possible, avenging not oneself but giving place to wrath because vengeance belongs to the Lord, feeding a hungry enemy and giving drink to a thirsty enemy, and being not overcome of evil but overcoming evil with good.
Kindness and true heavenly courtesy toward those who are suspicious, unjust, and speak unadvisedly are not weakness, and believers are never to draw off from them or become hostile toward them. The way is to walk humbly before God and keep His honor first, cultivating kindness and courtesy even when brethren and others treat one unjustly or suspiciously. It always pays to be kind and courteous, because the church militant is not yet the church triumphant and much disappointment from men must be expected.
Wrong accusations and evil words, even when spoken without cause, are not to be answered with retaliation, and no one is to be accused wrongfully. Speech must be carefully guarded, provocation refused, peace sought and lived with everyone, and silence kept when wrongfully accused, keeping the atmosphere surrounding the soul sweet and fragrant. Selfish human nature must be battled in steady work to overcome hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong by patience, longsuffering, and forbearance, since retaliation does not pay. No one is humiliated by another's unwise speeches, but speaking unwisely humiliates oneself and forfeits a victory in overcoming wrong tendencies that might have been gained.
When treated unjustly, there is to be no retaliation, no seeking revenge, no cherishing dislike toward those who hurt, no keeping bitterness and stubbornness in the heart, no treating others as they have treated one, and no using deceitful and underhanded means to defend one's rights. Instead patience and forbearance are to be practiced and the matter left with God rather than trying to vindicate oneself.
Those who present truth must not return evil for evil when truth is falsified, misinterpreted, or treated slightingly by false shepherds and opposers. They must not meet an unchristian temper with an unchristian temper, revile revilers, or vindicate truth with pride, accusation, condemnation, overbearing words, and hard thrusts that wound souls and close ears to truth. Caution and self-control are required, with close criticism of self and distinguishing the honor of God from the honor of self, remaining calm, dignified, just, wise, considerate, and tender. Instead of reviling, silent prayer is to be offered for those in error, asking the Lord to touch their hearts, remembering that the opposer's soul is as valuable as one's own and was purchased by the blood of the only begotten Son of God, and manifesting the Spirit of Christ so that tenderness softens, subdues, and convinces hearts.
The call is to follow after what makes for peace by returning kind acts for mischief and malice, with Christ as the pattern, in words and actions that exert a correct influence and will stand review before God in the Judgment. Concessions on matters of feeling between people are allowed, but truth is never to be surrendered nor one iota of principle sacrificed to prevent discord, ward off division, or gain harmony by mutual concessions. True brotherhood cannot be maintained by compromising principle, and becoming pure in spirit and action after the Christlike model will stir the opposition of the children of disobedience.
Honest Life Before All
Providing what is honest and right before all men means refusing to judge or despise a brother, refusing to place any stumblingblock or occasion to fall in a brother's way, and refusing to shut oneself within oneself, but instead loving one another as brethren with kindness and courtesy. This is required because all must stand before the judgment seat of God and each one give account of himself to God. The variety of gifts is to be brought together, each finding its proper place, to grow into a holy temple in the Lord.
Acting honorably in everyone's sight calls for cherishing consistency and exerting a correct influence through words and actions that will stand review before God in the Judgment. A Christian may therefore need to refrain even from an act that is not wrong and might be right if it would give a bad appearance to others. Following after what makes for peace means returning kind acts for mischief and malice, with Christ as the pattern to follow. Concessions are allowed on matters of feeling between people, but truth is never to be surrendered nor one iota of principle sacrificed to prevent discord, ward off division, or gain harmony by mutual concessions, for true brotherhood cannot be maintained by compromising principle. Becoming pure in spirit and action after the Christlike model will stir the opposition of the children of disobedience.
Bringing this practical instruction into daily life marks true believers, while daily character that fails it shows faith is spurious. Those who have put on Christ live it by being transformed through the renewing of the mind, and prove by their own experience what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The principles laid down must be carefully studied and obeyed as doers of the Word in small matters as well as large. Men of God's appointment will not be sustained without such obedience but are in positive danger, with Satan working by every device to weaken them, exalt them in their own opinion, and gain power over them, while God, who is high and lifted up, will continue to use them as His instruments only as long as they work humbly and seek wisdom from Him.
The verse calls the work of God to a higher plane of action where all who hold position in the church as shepherds represent the great Shepherd. It belongs to instruction of high value that stands as history for all churches. It forbids dominating masterly ruling power over the Lord's people, showing such domination is a strange and dangerous element, not of God but another gospel, not the righteousness of Christ, and a spoil to the church of God that must no longer be allowed.
The verse commands repaying no one wrong for wrong but answering harm with good, and living with honesty and integrity openly before everyone. It belongs to a connected Christian duty to sympathize with others, live humbly and peaceably with all as far as possible, leave avenging to the Lord, feed a hungry enemy and give drink to a thirsty enemy, and overcome evil with good. When mistreated, misrepresented, or wrongfully accused, believers are to remain patient and forbearing, guard speech, refuse provocation, keep silence rather than retaliate, cherish no bitterness or dislike, and leave vindication with God. Those who present truth must not meet falsehood, slighting, or an unchristian temper with pride, accusation, condemnation, or wounding words, but remain calm, dignified, considerate and tender, praying for opposers and manifesting the Spirit of Christ to soften and convince hearts. Providing what is honest in everyone's sight requires consistency and a correct influence, even refraining from what might be lawful if it would appear wrong, and this lived obedience marks true believers who are transformed by the renewing of the mind.
Words and Context
Recompense to no one evil for evil, and provide what is honest and right in the sight of all, acting with honesty and integrity in a way evident to everyone. It belongs to the practical instruction of Romans 12, instruction of high value. That instruction stands as history for all churches, must be brought into daily life, and plainly shows what is required of the church in every place.
It is addressed to Christians as members of the heavenly family and of Christ's one body. As such it calls them to active, loving service, to help and strengthen one another instead of taking revenge. It calls for the variety of gifts to be brought together, each finding its proper place, to grow into a holy temple in the Lord.
It stands as one part of a connected Christian duty. That duty includes rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep, being of the same mind toward one another, not minding high things but condescending to men of low estate, and not being wise in one's own conceits. It includes living peaceably with all as far as possible, avenging not oneself but giving place to wrath because vengeance belongs to the Lord, feeding a hungry enemy and giving drink to a thirsty enemy, and being not overcome of evil but overcoming evil with good.
Returning Good for Evil
The command forbids paying back wrong with wrong and requires answering with good, repaying harmful and malicious acts with kindness and helping and strengthening one another instead of taking revenge. When mistreated or misrepresented, patience and forbearance are to be maintained through the difficulty rather than returning evil for evil. Christ is the pattern for this conduct, and keeping this rule is part of overcoming as Christ overcame in order to win heaven and to join in helping others overcome. It belongs to the conduct of Christians toward one another as members of the heavenly family and as members of Christ's one body, called to active, loving service and to honest living before all people, overcoming evil with good.
This life of overcoming requires a mind kept free from everything that depresses, clear, pure, clean and healthy, strictly guarded and at all times under the control of God and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Wholly surrendered to God to be sanctified through the truth, such a mind enables good work and a much higher standard. The same life is of the same mind toward one another, not minding high things but condescending to men of low estate, not wise in one's own conceits, living peaceably with all as far as possible, avenging not oneself but giving place to wrath because vengeance belongs to the Lord, feeding a hungry enemy and giving drink to a thirsty enemy, and being not overcome of evil but overcoming evil with good.
Kindness and true heavenly courtesy toward those who are suspicious, unjust, and speak unadvisedly are not weakness, and believers are never to draw off from them or become hostile toward them. The way is to walk humbly before God and keep His honor first, cultivating kindness and courtesy even when brethren and others treat one unjustly or suspiciously. It always pays to be kind and courteous, because the church militant is not yet the church triumphant and much disappointment from men must be expected.
Wrong accusations and evil words, even when spoken without cause, are not to be answered with retaliation, and no one is to be accused wrongfully. Speech must be carefully guarded, provocation refused, peace sought and lived with everyone, and silence kept when wrongfully accused, keeping the atmosphere surrounding the soul sweet and fragrant. Selfish human nature must be battled in steady work to overcome hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong by patience, longsuffering, and forbearance, since retaliation does not pay. No one is humiliated by another's unwise speeches, but speaking unwisely humiliates oneself and forfeits a victory in overcoming wrong tendencies that might have been gained.
When treated unjustly, there is to be no retaliation, no seeking revenge, no cherishing dislike toward those who hurt, no keeping bitterness and stubbornness in the heart, no treating others as they have treated one, and no using deceitful and underhanded means to defend one's rights. Instead patience and forbearance are to be practiced and the matter left with God rather than trying to vindicate oneself.
Those who present truth must not return evil for evil when truth is falsified, misinterpreted, or treated slightingly by false shepherds and opposers. They must not meet an unchristian temper with an unchristian temper, revile revilers, or vindicate truth with pride, accusation, condemnation, overbearing words, and hard thrusts that wound souls and close ears to truth. Caution and self-control are required, with close criticism of self and distinguishing the honor of God from the honor of self, remaining calm, dignified, just, wise, considerate, and tender. Instead of reviling, silent prayer is to be offered for those in error, asking the Lord to touch their hearts, remembering that the opposer's soul is as valuable as one's own and was purchased by the blood of the only begotten Son of God, and manifesting the Spirit of Christ so that tenderness softens, subdues, and convinces hearts.
The call is to follow after what makes for peace by returning kind acts for mischief and malice, with Christ as the pattern, in words and actions that exert a correct influence and will stand review before God in the Judgment. Concessions on matters of feeling between people are allowed, but truth is never to be surrendered nor one iota of principle sacrificed to prevent discord, ward off division, or gain harmony by mutual concessions. True brotherhood cannot be maintained by compromising principle, and becoming pure in spirit and action after the Christlike model will stir the opposition of the children of disobedience.
Honest Life Before All
Providing what is honest and right before all men means refusing to judge or despise a brother, refusing to place any stumblingblock or occasion to fall in a brother's way, and refusing to shut oneself within oneself, but instead loving one another as brethren with kindness and courtesy. This is required because all must stand before the judgment seat of God and each one give account of himself to God. The variety of gifts is to be brought together, each finding its proper place, to grow into a holy temple in the Lord.
Acting honorably in everyone's sight calls for cherishing consistency and exerting a correct influence through words and actions that will stand review before God in the Judgment. A Christian may therefore need to refrain even from an act that is not wrong and might be right if it would give a bad appearance to others. Following after what makes for peace means returning kind acts for mischief and malice, with Christ as the pattern to follow. Concessions are allowed on matters of feeling between people, but truth is never to be surrendered nor one iota of principle sacrificed to prevent discord, ward off division, or gain harmony by mutual concessions, for true brotherhood cannot be maintained by compromising principle. Becoming pure in spirit and action after the Christlike model will stir the opposition of the children of disobedience.
Bringing this practical instruction into daily life marks true believers, while daily character that fails it shows faith is spurious. Those who have put on Christ live it by being transformed through the renewing of the mind, and prove by their own experience what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The principles laid down must be carefully studied and obeyed as doers of the Word in small matters as well as large. Men of God's appointment will not be sustained without such obedience but are in positive danger, with Satan working by every device to weaken them, exalt them in their own opinion, and gain power over them, while God, who is high and lifted up, will continue to use them as His instruments only as long as they work humbly and seek wisdom from Him.
The verse calls the work of God to a higher plane of action where all who hold position in the church as shepherds represent the great Shepherd. It belongs to instruction of high value that stands as history for all churches. It forbids dominating masterly ruling power over the Lord's people, showing such domination is a strange and dangerous element, not of God but another gospel, not the righteousness of Christ, and a spoil to the church of God that must no longer be allowed.