Romans 12:21 (KJV)

Passage

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Nearby Context

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.

Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Study Lenses

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

The prior verse says "Therefore if thine enemy hunger feed him...", giving immediate footing for "overcome" and "evil". 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 "overcome" and "evil" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.