Romans 12:17-18 NIV

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 12:14-21

12:14-21 Bless those who persecute you; bless them and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Keep your thoughts from pride; and never refuse to be associated with humble people. Don't become conceitedly wise in your own estimation. Never return evil for evil. Take thought to make your conduct fair for all to see. If it is possible, as far as you can, live at peace with all men. Beloved, do not seek to revenge... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:17

Recompence to no man evil for evil ,.... Neither evil words for evil words, railing for railing; nor evil deeds for evil deeds, one ill turn for another; nor the evil of punishment for the evil of fault, unless it be by persons, who under God have an authority to inflict it; as the civil magistrate, who "is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil", Romans 13:4 ; but private revenge is what is here forbidden: providing things honest in the sight of all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:18

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably ,.... Or be at peace, seek after peace, pursue it, and cultivate it: with all men ; with those that we are immediately concerned with, in a natural relation; so husbands should live peaceably with their wives, and wives with their husbands; parents with their children, and children with their parents; masters with their servants, and servants with their masters; and one brother, relation, and friend, with another: and so with all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:17

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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:18

If it be possible - To live in a state of peace with one's neighbors, friends, and even family, is often very difficult. But the man who loves God must labor after this, for it is indispensably necessary even for his own sake. A man cannot have broils and misunderstandings with others, without having his own peace very materially disturbed: he must, to be happy, be at peace with all men, whether they will be at peace with him or not. The apostle knew that it would be difficult to get into... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:17

Verse 17 17.Repaying to no one, etc. This differs but little from what shortly after follows, except that revenge is more than the kind of repaying of which he speaks here; for we render evil for evil sometimes, even when we exact not the requiting of an injury, as when we treat unkindly those who do us no good. We are indeed wont to form an estimate of the deserts of each, or of what they merit at our hands, so that we may confer our benefits on those, by whom we have been already obliged, or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:18

Verse 18 18.If it be possible, etc. Peaceableness and a life so ordered as to render us beloved by all, is no common gift in a Christian. If we desire to attain this, we must not only be endued with perfect uprightness, but also with very courteous and kind manners, which may not only conciliate the just and the good, but produce also a favorable impression on the hearts of the ungodly. But here two cautions must be stated: We are not to seek to be in such esteem as to refuse to undergo the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-21

Various admonitions, applicable to all; headed by inculcation of the all-pervading principle of love. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-21

Christian love. Now we come to the great central principle of the Christian life in its social relations among men—true love. And, as the apostle addresses Church-members, he paints this love, by a few vivid strokes, as they owe it to their fellow-members, and also to those that are without. I. First, as members of Christ, they are to love one another. 1. The ethical character of this love. It is holy. Not a mere sentimental tenderness, but a love that abhors the evil, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-21

Christian socialism. From Churchmanship, which was discussed by the apostle in the preceding verses, we now pass to the Christian in society; and our endeavour will be to appreciate the Christian socialism which Paul here inculcates. The great error of the Christless socialism which prevails, alas! in many lands, is that it tries to do from without and by mere material manipulation what can only come from within through the Christian spirit. Into the various forms which socialism has... read more

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Romans 12:14-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Romans 12:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Romans 12:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Romans 12:9-21

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