Romans 12:17 (DRB)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that rejoice: weep with them that weep.

Romans 12:16 Being of one mind one towards another. Not minding high things, but consenting to the humble. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Romans 12:17 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.

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as is in you, have peace with all men.

Romans 12:19 Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "rendering", "evil", "providing", "good", "things", "only", and "sight". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "rendering" and "evil", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "Being of one mind one towards another..." into verse 18's "If it be possible as much as...", so "rendering" and "evil" belong inside that flow. In Romans context, the local focus is righteousness by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and God's covenant faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "rendering" and "evil" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.