Romans 12:17
New International Version
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

New Living Translation
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

English Standard Version
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

Berean Literal Bible
repaying to no one evil for evil, providing right before all men;

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

New King James Version
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

New American Standard Bible
Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people.

NASB 1995
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

NASB 1977
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

Legacy Standard Bible
Never paying back evil for evil to anyone, respecting what is good in the sight of all men,

Amplified Bible
Never repay anyone evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and gracious and proper in the sight of everyone.

Christian Standard Bible
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes.

American Standard Version
Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men.

Contemporary English Version
Don't mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others,

English Revised Version
Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honourable in the sight of all men.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble.

Good News Translation
If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good.

International Standard Version
Do not pay anyone back evil for evil, but focus your thoughts on what is right in the sight of all people.

Majority Standard Bible
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

NET Bible
Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people.

New Heart English Bible
Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all people.

Webster's Bible Translation
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Weymouth New Testament
Pay back to no man evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and seemly in every one's esteem.

World English Bible
Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
giving back to no one evil for evil; providing right things before all men.

Berean Literal Bible
repaying to no one evil for evil, providing right before all men;

Young's Literal Translation
giving back to no one evil for evil; providing right things before all men.

Smith's Literal Translation
Giving hack evil for evil to none. Providing good things before all men.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
To no man rendering evil for evil. Providing good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Render to no one harm for harm. Provide good things, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of all men.

New American Bible
Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Recompense to no man evil for evil. But be careful to do good things before the presence of all men.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Repay no person evil for evil, but be concerned with doing good before all people.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
repay to no one evil for evil; practice that which is honorable in the sight of all men.

Godbey New Testament
Returning to no one evil for evil; providing things beautiful in the sight of all men.

Haweis New Testament
Render to no man evil for evil. Be provident of things laudable in the sight of all men.

Mace New Testament
Render no man evil for evil, mind such things as are approved not only by God, but by men.

Weymouth New Testament
Pay back to no man evil for evil. Take thought for what is right and seemly in every one's esteem.

Worrell New Testament
recompensing to no one evil for evil; providing things honorable in the sight of all men;

Worsley New Testament
Render to no one evil for evil: behaving honorably in the sight of all men.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Forgiveness
16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:39-44
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; / if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; / and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ...

1 Peter 3:9
Do 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.

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Luke 6:27-29
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. / If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.

1 Corinthians 6:7
The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?

Proverbs 24:29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

Recompense.

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.

Proverbs 20:22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

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.

Provide.

Romans 14:16
Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

1 Corinthians 6:6,7
But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers…

1 Corinthians 13:4,5
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, …

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Romans 12
1. God's mercies must move us to offer ourselves.
3. No man must think too well of himself;
6. but everyone attend to the calling wherein he is placed.
9. Love, and many other duties are required of us.
19. Revenge is especially forbidden.














Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
This phrase emphasizes the Christian principle of non-retaliation, which is rooted in Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38-39). The idea of not repaying evil for evil is countercultural, especially in the Roman world where honor and revenge were often pursued. The Old Testament also supports this principle, as seen in Proverbs 20:22, which advises against seeking revenge. This command reflects the character of God, who is patient and merciful, and it calls believers to trust in God's justice rather than taking matters into their own hands. The life of Jesus exemplifies this teaching, as He did not retaliate against those who wronged Him, even during His crucifixion (1 Peter 2:23).

Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
This phrase encourages believers to live thoughtfully and with integrity, ensuring their actions are above reproach. The Greek term for "carefully consider" implies a deliberate and thoughtful approach to one's conduct. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching of living wisely and being a light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16). The phrase "in the eyes of everybody" suggests a universal standard of morality that transcends cultural and societal norms, pointing to the inherent understanding of right and wrong that God has placed in every human heart (Romans 2:14-15). This call to consider what is right is not about seeking human approval but about living in a way that reflects God's righteousness and draws others to Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the Book of Romans, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. The Roman Church
The recipients of the letter, the early Christian community in Rome, which was diverse and included both Jewish and Gentile believers.

3. The Early Christian Community
The broader context of the early church, which faced persecution and needed guidance on how to live out their faith in a hostile environment.
Teaching Points
Rejecting Retaliation
As Christians, we are called to break the cycle of retaliation. Instead of responding to evil with evil, we should seek to overcome evil with good.

Pursuing Peace
The phrase "carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody" suggests a proactive approach to living peaceably with others, reflecting Christ's love and wisdom.

Trusting God's Justice
By not repaying evil for evil, we demonstrate our trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty.

Witness to the World
Our response to wrongdoing can serve as a powerful testimony to non-believers, showcasing the transformative power of the Gospel.

Practical Wisdom
This verse encourages us to think carefully about our actions and their impact on others, promoting a thoughtful and wise approach to conflict.(17) Provide things honest . . .--Let your purposes be such that all men shall recognise their complete integrity. Do not engage in enterprises of a doubtful character, that might bring not only yourselves but the Christian body into ill repute. (Comp. Matthew 5:14-16; 2Corinthians 8:21.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Do not repay anyone
ἀποδιδόντες (apodidontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 591: From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.

evil
κακὸν (kakon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

for
ἀντὶ (anti)
Preposition
Strong's 473: A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.

evil.
κακοῦ (kakou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

Carefully consider
προνοούμενοι (pronooumenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4306: From pro and noieo; to consider in advance, i.e. Look out for beforehand.

what is right
καλὰ (kala)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2570: Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.

in the eyes of
ἐνώπιον (enōpion)
Preposition
Strong's 1799: Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.

everybody.
πάντων (pantōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.


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NT Letters: Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil (Rom. Ro)
Romans 12:16
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