Romans 12:21 (GNV)

Passage

Bee not ouercome of euill, but ouercome euill with goodnesse.

Nearby Context

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.

Romans 12:20 Therefore, if thine enemie hunger, feede him: if he thirst, giue him drinke: for in so doing, thou shalt heape coales of fire on his head.

Romans 12:21 Bee not ouercome of euill, but ouercome euill with goodnesse.

Study Lenses

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

The prior verse says "Therefore if thine enemie hunger feede him...", giving immediate footing for "ouercome" and "euill". 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 "ouercome" and "euill" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.