1 Thessalonians 5:15 (WEB)

Passage

See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.

Nearby Context

1 Thessalonians 5:13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Study Lenses

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

The nearby context moves from verse 14's "We exhort you brothers admonish the disorderly..." into verse 16's "Rejoice always...", so "returns" and "evil" belong inside that flow. In 1 Thessalonians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

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