14Bless those who persecute you — bless and do not curse, do not curse. [12:15] Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep, with those who weep. [12:16] Minding the same thing toward one another — not minding the haughty things, but going along with the lowly. Do not become wise in your own estimation. [12:17] Repaying to no one evil for evil, providing what is right before all men; [12:18] if possible, the part from you, living at peace with all men. [12:19] Never avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath — for it has been written: "Mine is vengeance; I myself will repay," says the Lord. [12:20] On the contrary, if your enemy shall hunger, feed him; if he shall thirst, give him drink — for in doing this you will heap coals of fire upon his head. [12:21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
ROM 12:14-21
Forgiveness
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman world, honor and vengeance were tightly woven into the social fabric. Retaliation was not only expected but often seen as a duty to maintain one's status and reputation. The Roman legal system allowed for personal retribution, and Stoic philosophy, while advocating self-control, still upheld the idea of justice as balancing wrongs. Jewish tradition, rooted in Torah, also acknowledged the principle of 'an eye for an eye,' though it was often tempered by communal ethics. Against this backdrop, Paul's exhortation to bless persecutors and avoid repaying evil for evil would have been countercultural. The call to 'give place to wrath' and trust in divine vengeance (Deut 32:35) shifts the responsibility for justice from the individual to God, a radical departure from both Roman and Jewish norms. Feeding and giving drink to an enemy echoes Proverbs 25:21-22, suggesting a transformative act that could shame the adversary and restore harmony. This ethic reflects the early Christian commitment to living 'at peace with all,' even in a society steeped in retributive justice.
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How other translations render this
ROM 12:14
- KJV
- Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
- BSB
- Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
- Koinōnos
- Bless those who persecute you — bless and do not curse, do not curse.
ROM 12:15
- KJV
- Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
- BSB
- Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
- Koinōnos
- Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep, with those who weep.
ROM 12:16
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.
- Koinōnos
- Minding the same thing toward one another — not minding the haughty things, but going along with the lowly. Do not become wise in your own estimation.
ROM 12:17
- KJV
- Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
- BSB
- Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- Koinōnos
- Repaying to no one evil for evil, providing what is right before all men;
ROM 12:18
- KJV
- If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
- BSB
- If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
- Koinōnos
- if possible, the part from you, living at peace with all men.
ROM 12:19
- KJV
- Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
- BSB
- Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for Godʼs wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- Koinōnos
- Never avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath — for it has been written: "Mine is vengeance; I myself will repay," says the Lord.
ROM 12:20
- KJV
- Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
- BSB
- On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
- Koinōnos
- On the contrary, if your enemy shall hunger, feed him; if he shall thirst, give him drink — for in doing this you will heap coals of fire upon his head.
ROM 12:21
- KJV
- Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
- BSB
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Koinōnos
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ROM 12:16
- minding,:The word translated 'minding' here implies a deep, intentional focus of thought and will, not just a casual consideration. It suggests a deliberate alignment of one's mindset.
- going along.:The phrase translated 'going along' suggests being carried away or led astray by something, often implying a loss of independent judgment or a passive yielding to influence.
ROM 12:17
- right:The word translated 'right' here encompasses not just moral correctness, but also what is beautiful, noble, and honorable in the eyes of others. It speaks to an action that is outwardly admirable.
ROM 12:19
- avenging,:The word translated 'avenging' refers to the act of seeking justice or retribution for a wrong, often with the implication of punishment. It is about taking action to right a wrong.