Romans 12:17 (KJV)

Passage

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Nearby Context

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Romans 12:16 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.

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Study Lenses

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

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "Be of the same mind one toward..." into verse 18's "If it be possible as much as...", so "recompense" 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 "recompense" and "evil" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.