Recompense to No Man Evil for Evil Romans 12:17

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome to, “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”, and in chapter twelve and verse seventeen of Romans, Paul tells the believers to, “recompense to no man evil for evil” with others where we read:

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

The verse begins, “Recompense to no man evil for evil.” Paul began with the words, “recompense” which means “deliver, give, pay off and discharge” “to no man” or “toward any human whether male or female” “evil” which means “bad nature, wrong, wickedness, injury or pernicious, destructive or baneful acts” “for evil” or “because of bad nature, wrong, wickedness, injury or pernicious, destructive or baneful acts”. Paul exhorted the believers in Rome not to “repay” “wickedness” with “pernicious and destructive acts”.

The verse goes on to say, “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”. Paul added the words, “provide” which means “think of beforehand and take thought to care for” “things honest” or “beautiful, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable and admirable things” “in the sight” which means “in the presence and sight” “of all men” or “pertaining to each, every, the whole and every human being whether male or female”. Paul challenged the believers in Rome to “take thought beforehand” toward others concerning “beautiful and precious” acts.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see two more instructions to the believers in Rome. There were not to “repay” “wicked ways” with “wicked ways”, and they were to be conscious of committing “precious and commendable” acts in the “presence” of other people. This was the nature of Jesus when He walked on the earth. He came to “save” people from their sins, and died on the cross to do so. Though He possessed all power, He never exercised it to destroy those who treated Him with “evil”. He also demonstrated “precious and useful” ways before people with whom He came into contact.

Next time Paul challenges the believers in Rome to, “as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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