Romans 12:16-21 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. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
‘Be of the same mind one toward another’ – live in harmony and of one accord. ‘Mind not high things’ – do not be unlawfully ambitious to be rich and powerful. Do not shun the poor, courting great men.
‘Condescend to men of low estate’ – associate with humble and godly people going through life with as little show and parade as possible.
‘Be not wise in your own conceits’ – do not be conceited and vain. Proverbs 3:7-8 warn us to be not wise in our own eyes, we must fear the LORD, and depart from evil so that we can be in perfect health.
‘Recompense to no man evil for evil’ – never pay back evil for evil to any man. ‘Provide things honest in the sight of all men’ – do not live beyond your means.
‘If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men’ As far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people. That does not mean we compromise to accept and allow others’ sins and evil communications in our lives (1Cor. 15:33; Jas. 3:13; 1Pet. 15, 18; 2:12).
‘Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves’ – let others inflict vengeance. ‘But rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord.’ By the law of sowing and reaping all will be judge according to what they do unto others (Gal. 6:7-8).
‘Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head.’ Quoted from Proverbs 25:21-22. In view of the fact that God was good to you when you were His enemy (5:7-8), you should likewise treat your enemies with goodness. You will thus make them feel a burning sense of shame and by this action, they can be convicted of their sins (John 16:7-11).
‘Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good’ – never let evil get the better of you; get the better of evil by doing good. Seven duties are noted to enemies: To love them (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:27); to bless them (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28); to do good to them (Matt. 5:44); to pray for them (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28); to lend in doing good to them (Luke 6:34-36); to be kind to them (Luke 6:35-36); to be merciful to them (Luke 6:36).
Living the Word 