Romans 12 · Verse 17

Romans 12:17

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Romans 12:17, King James Version

Romans 12:17 in other translations

BSBDo not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
WEBRepay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
ASVRender to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men.
YLTgiving back to no one evil for evil; providing right things before all men.
DARBYrecompensing to no one evil for evil: providing things honest before all men:
BBEDo not give evil for evil to any man. Let all your business be well ordered in the eyes of all men.
WebsterRecompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

What does Romans 12:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. Recompense--"Recompensing," &c.--(See on Ro 12:14). Provide--"Providing" things honest--"honorable" in the sight of all men--The idea (which is from Pr 3:4) is the care which Christians should take so to demean themselves as to command the respect of all men.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. Recompense. Render, give, or return. Mt 5:39. This is probably one of the most difficult precepts of Christianity; but the law of Christ on the subject is unyielding. It is a solemn demand made on all his followers, and it must be obeyed.

Provide. The word rendered provide means, properly, to think or mediate beforehand. Make it a matter of previous thought, of settled plan, of design. This direction would make it a matter of principle and fixed purpose to do that which is right; and not to leave it to the fluctuations of feeling, or to the influence of excitement. The same direction is given in 2Cor 8:21.

Things honest. Literally, things beautiful, or comely. The expression here does not refer to property, or to provision made for a family, etc. The connexion requires us to understand it respecting conduct, and especially our conduct towards those who injure us. It requires us to evince a spirit and to manifest a deportment, in such cases, that shall be lovely and comely in the view of others; such as all men will approve and admire. And the apostle wisely cautions us to provide for this, i.e. to think of it beforehand, to make it a matter of fixed principle and purpose, so that we shall not be overtaken and excited by passion. If left to the time when the offence shall be given, we may be excited and off our guard, and may therefore evince an improper temper. All persons who have ever been provoked by injury (and who has not been?) will see the profound wisdom of this caution to discipline and guard the temper by previous purpose, that we may not evince an improper spirit.

In the sight of all men. Such as all must approve; such that no man can blame; and, therefore, such as shall do no discredit to religion. This expression is taken from Prov 3:4. The passage shows that men may be expected to approve a mild, kind, and patient temper in the reception of injuries; and facts show that this is the case. The Christian spirit is one that the world must approve, however little it is disposed to act on it.

(n) "Recompense to man evil" Mt 5:39, 1Pet 3:9 (o) "Provide things honest" 2Cor 8:21

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 Recompense, etc. - Do not take notice of every little injury you may sustain. Do not be litigious. Beware of too nice a sense of your own honor; intolerable pride is at the bottom of this. The motto of the royal arms of Scotland is in direct opposition to this Divine direction - Nemo me impune lacesset, of which "I render evil for evil to every man," is a pretty literal translation. This is both antichristian and abominable, whether in a state or in an individual. Provide things honest - Be prudent, be cautious, neither eat, drink, nor wear, but as you pay for every thing. "Live not on trust, for that is the way to pay double;" and by this means the poor are still kept poor. He who takes credit, even for food or raiment, when he has no probable means of defraying the debt, is a dishonest man. It is no sin to die through lack of the necessaries of life when the providence of God has denied the means of support; but it is a sin to take up goods without the probability of being able to pay for them. Poor man! suffer poverty a little; perhaps God is only trying thee for a time; and who can tell if he will not turn again thy captivity. Labour hard to live honestly; if God still appear to withhold his providential blessing, do not despair; leave it all to him; do not make a sinful choice; he cannot err. He will bless thy poverty, while he curses the ungodly man's blessings.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Romans 12:17-21
Since men became enemies to God, they have been very ready to be enemies one to another. And those that embrace religion, must expect to meet with enemies in a world whose smiles seldom agree with Christ's. Recompense to no man evil for evil. That is a brutish recompence, befitting only animals, which are not conscious of any being above them, or of any existence hereafter. And not only do, but study and take care to do, that which is amiable and creditable, and recommends religion to all with whom you converse. Study the things that make for peace; if it be possible, without offending God and wounding conscience. Avenge not yourselves. This is a hard lesson to corrupt nature, therefore a remedy against it is added. Give place unto wrath. When a man's passion is up, and the stream is strong, let it pass off; lest it be made to rage the more against us. The line of our duty is clearly marked out, and if our enemies are not melted by persevering kindness, we are not to seek vengeance; they will be consumed by the fiery wrath of that God to whom vengeance belongeth. The last verse suggests what is not easily understood by the world; that in all strife and contention, those that revenge are conquered, and those that forgive are conquerors. Be not overcome of evil. Learn to defeat ill designs against you, either to change them, or to preserve your own peace. He that has this rule over his spirit, is better than the mighty. God's children may be asked whether it is not more sweet unto them than all earthly good, that God so enables them by his Spirit, thus to feel and act.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Romans 12:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μηδενὶmēdeniTo no oneG3367
κακὸνkakonevilG2556
ἀντὶantiforG473
κακοῦkakouevilG2556
ἀποδιδόντες,apodidontesrepaying,G591
προνοούμενοιpronooumenoiprovidingG4306
καλὰkalarightG2570
ἐνώπιονenōpionbeforeG1799
πάντωνpantōnallG3956
ἀνθρώπων·anthrōpōnmen;G444

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Romans 12:17

  • Proverbs 20:22

    Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15

    See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

  • 1 Peter 3:9

    Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

  • Matthew 5:39

    But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:20-21

    Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

  • Philippians 4:8-9

    Finally, 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. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

  • Romans 12:19

    Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:22

    Abstain from all appearance of evil.

  • 1 Peter 2:12

    Having 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.

  • 1 Peter 3:16

    Having 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 Corinthians 13:4-5

    Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

  • Romans 14:16

    Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Recompense.
19; Pr 20:22; Mt 5:39; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9
Provide.
14:16; 1Co 6:6,7; 13:4,5; 2Co 8:20,21; Php 4:8,9; Col 4:5; 1Th 4:12
1Th 5:22; 1Ti 5:14; Tit 2:4,5; 1Pe 2:12; 3:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Romans 12:16

    Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

  • Romans 12:17

    Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

  • Romans 12:18

    If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Read all of Romans 12

Romans 12:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		No paguéis á nadie mal por mal; procurad lo bueno delante de todos los hombres.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		ne rendant à personne mal pour mal; vous proposant ce qui est honnête devant tous les hommes;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Vergeltet niemandem Böses mit Bösem; seid vorsorglich für das, was ehrbar ist vor allen Menschen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		nulli malum pro malo reddentes: providentes bona non tantum coram Deo, sed etiam coram omnibus hominibus.