Romans 12:17-21

Text

Romans 12:17-21. Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. Romans 12:19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. Romans 12:20 But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

REALIZING ROMANS, Romans 12:17-21

540.

How do the two thoughts of Romans 12:17 relate to each other?

541.

Is Paul suggesting in Romans 12:18 that after we have tried to maintain peace and found it impossible that we are at liberty to fight?

542.

Human vengeance is destructive in two ways. Name them.

543.

It is difficult to believe that finally justice will prevail, and yet the Scriptures plainly teach it. When will we see it?

544.

We know from Romans 12:20 that the coals of fire are good deeds, In what manner do they become coals of fire? Who is being burned?

545.

Is it always possible to overcome evil with good? If not, are we less obligated?

Paraphrase

Romans 12:17-21. Unto no one return evil for the evil he hath done you. Premeditate how to make your actions beautiful in the sight of all men; of your enemies as well as of others.

Romans 12:18 What relates to you is, live in peace with all men, whether friends or foes, if it can be done consistently with piety and truth.

Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves of your persecutors, but give place to the wrath of God, whose prerogative it is to punish. For it is written, Deuteronomy 32:35. Vengeance belongs to me, I will repay, saith the Lord. See also Leviticus 19:18.

Romans 12:20 Therefore, if thy persecutor hunger, instead of avenging thyself by suffering him to perish, give him meat; and if he thirst, give him drink: for by so doing thou wilt soften him, and make him lay down the enmity which he bears to thee.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, so as to be made evil yourselves, but overcome the evil dispositions of your persecutors, by doing them all the good ye can.

Summary

Injuries, we must not retaliate, and we are to be thoughtful to do what, in every one's estimation, is right. As Christians we must strive for peace.

We must never attempt to avenge ourselves, but leave that wholly to the Lord. On the contrary, if our enemy be hungry, we must feed him; if thirsty, we must give him drink. We must be God-like in dealing with him. We must not allow his evil to conquer us; rather we must conquer his evil by our good.

Comment

3.

The Christian's duties toward those without the church. Romans 12:11-21.

This is a fine sentiment, Render to no man evil for evil, but who does it? The desire to get even with those who do evil to us is not the Christian attitude. Rather, let us make it a rule of life that we shall not retaliate. If such a conviction is developed ahead of time, we shall be able to so respond when someone does evil to us.

In contrast to the eye for an eye attitude is that in Romans 12:17 b. We are to take thought beforehand so as to conduct ourselves in such a manner that all men, Christian and non-Christian, will come to appreciate our concern for them, and will see the consistency of our profession. A Christian will never go out of his way to offend anyone. On the other hand, he will make a conscious effort to bring happiness to all.

Verse eighteen seems to be an amendment of Romans 12:17. It will not always be possible to avoid conflict. Others will force evil upon the child of God. Never let it be said that any blame is due the Christian. We can be at peace with others, even though others are not with us.

What is the distinction between verse nineteen and verse seventeen? It would seem that verse nineteen is stronger, in the sense that some not only retaliate with an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but they actually become the judges, meting out what God alone has wisdom or power to do. If we believe God is concerned about our lives, we will allow him to act as judge in matters that hurt us. The Lord's anger is always pure-ours never. Besides these considerations is the bald fact that God has stated the case in plain words, Punishment is mine, I will repay it.

337.

How shall we ever be able to fulfill the admonition render to no man evil for evil?

338.

We should plan ahead of time to so conduct ourselves that our actions will show something to all. What is it?

Someone is certainly going to say that the thought of verse twenty has gone too far. This is true from a human standpoint. We would never think of treating our enemies as here described. But we are partakers of the divine nature. God does daily feed and care for those who are his enemies. Can we refuse to do it?

The coals of fire of Romans 12:20 b probably refers to the burning of the conscience of the one so treated. When we return good for evil we are making an attempt to stir up his conscience to a recognition of his own guilt and our innocence. In this condition he is a candidate for the truth.

Who will win in this great contest of right and wrong? Either we give place to wrath and are overcome, or we overcome the wrath of others by returning good for evil. We must overcome the desire to give evil for evil within our own heart before we can hope to conquer evil in the heart of anyone else.
Looking back over the twenty-one verses of chapter twelve, we can now see in all its practical reality what it means to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Rethinking in Outline Form

Part Three

The Practical, The Hortatory, and Conclusion. Romans 12:1, Romans 16:27.

A.

Our duties to God and Man. Romans 12:1 to Romans 15:13.

1.

Full consecration to God. Romans 12:1-2.

2.

Duties to Those Within the Church. Romans 12:3-16.

a.

Paul speaking as an apostle. Romans 12:3 a cf. Romans 1:5; Romans 15:15.

b.

Addressed to all. Romans 12:3 b.

c.

How to think. Romans 12:3 c. cf. 1 Corinthians 8:2; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 6:3.

d.

Many members yet all in one body. Each part has its function Romans 12:4-8.

e.

Love to be true. Romans 12:9 a cf. 2 Corinthians 6:6; 1 Timothy 1:5.

f.

Abhor evil, cleave to good. Romans 12:9 b.

g.

Tender love for the brethren. Romans 12:10 a. cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; John 13:34-35.

h.

In honor preferring one another. Romans 12:10 b cf. Philippians 2:3.

i.

In diligence not slothful. Romans 12:11 a.

j.

Fervent in spirit. Romans 12:11 b.

k.

Serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 c cf. Matthew 6:24.

1.

Rejoicing in hope. Romans 12:12 a cf. Romans 5:2.

339.

In what way does verse eighteen amend verse seventeen?

340.

Explain the difference between verse seventeen and verse nineteen.

341.

In what very practical way could we say we have fulfilled verse twenty?

342.

What are the coals of fire? Why are they so called?

m.

Patient in tribulation. Romans 12:12 b cf. Romans 5:3-5.

n.

Continuing steadfastly in prayer. Romans 12:12 c cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

o.

Communicating to the necessities of the saints. Romans 12:13 a.

p.

Given to hospitality. Romans 12:13 b.

q.

Bless them that persecute you. Romans 12:14 cf. Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28; 1 Corinthians 4:12.

r.

Share joys and sorrows. Romans 12:15.

s.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Romans 12:16 a cf. Romans 15:5; 2 Corinthians 13:1.

t.

Keep the mind on lowly things. Romans 12:16 b.

u.

Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 12:16 c cf. Romans 11:25; Proverbs 3:7.

3.

The Christian's Duties to Those Without The Church. Romans 12:17-21.

a.

Render to no man evil for evil. Romans 12:17 a.

b.

Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. Romans 12:17 b cf. 2 Corinthians 8:21.

c.

Be at peace with all men. Romans 12:18 cf. Mark 9:50; Romans 14:19.

d.

Leave vengeance to the Lord. Romans 12:19 cf. Deuteronomy 32:35.

e.

How to treat your enemy. Romans 12:20 cf. Proverbs 25:21-22; 2 Kings 6:21-23.

f.

How to overcome evil. Romans 12:21.