Romans 12:17 (GNV)

Passage

Recompence to no man euill for euill: procure things honest in the sight of all men.

Nearby Context

Romans 12:15 Reioyce with them that reioyce, and weepe with them that weepe.

Romans 12:16 Be of like affection one towardes another: be not hie minded: but make your selues equall to them of the lower sort: be not wise in your selues.

Romans 12:17 Recompence to no man euill for euill: procure things honest in the sight of all men.

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

Romans 12:19 Dearely beloued, auenge not your selues, but giue place vnto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "recompence", "euill", "procure", "things", "honest", and "sight". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "recompence" and "euill", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "Be of like affection one towardes another..." into verse 18's "If it bee possible as much as...", so "recompence" and "euill" 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 "recompence" and "euill" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.