Study of Romans 12 – Verse 17 (Part 2 of 2)

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.” (Romans 12:17 NKJV)

    As we noted last week, there are two strong phrases that are suitably placed at opposite ends of this verse: “no one” and “all men”, let’s take time this week to look at the second phrase.

    When God commands us to “Repay no one evil for evil” – there is no exception or loophole; we are not to repay even one person with evil. But God, in His love for us and in His desire for us to grow and develop as His children, gives us a better path to follow that is to be obvious to every single person who observes us and/or interacts with us:

“…Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.”

    Now, here is the other end of the spectrum: “all men”

“all” (Strong’s Greek ‘pas’) means any, all

“men” (Strong’s Greek #444 ‘anthropos’) means man, humankind, person; male or female

“…in the sight of (all men)” (Strong’s Greek #1799 ‘enopios’) means before, in the presence of, in the eyes of, in one’s judgment of observing our words, actions, behaviours

    There is no room around this command either – there is no time outs or days off, there is no vacation time in which you can shrug off God’s armour and be excused from keeping this command – it is part of our lifetime (a.k.a. every day we are blessed with) commitment to honour God and follow His way (1 John 2:3-6).

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philippians 1:27a NKJV)

    What is it that we are to do in the sight of all people? We are to have regard for good things.

“have regard” (Strong’s Greek #4306 ‘pronoeo’) means to provide for, to take thought of, provide in advance. It encompasses the idea of thoughtful planning. ‘Pronoeo’ comes from two words ‘pro’ meaning before, and ‘noieo’ meaning think.  We are to think (or plan) before we act and speak in order to conduct ourselves properly before God and man (1 Peter 1:15-16). Consider 1 Timothy 4:12-16 and 2 Timothy 2:15. Study and meditation (recalling what we have heard/read) is great way to prepare our hearts and minds to have regard for good things.

“Good things” (Strong’s Greek #2570 ‘kalos’) means what is right, what is good, noble, beautiful, excellent, honourable. Think of all the attributes that we are to keep our mind focused on in Philippians 6:8. It envelops good works, God’s commands (that are for our good always, Deuteronomy 6:24-25), as well as things that are beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, praiseworthy, and morally good.

    A few examples of good things:

• To give thanks and to sing praises to the LORD (Psalm 92:1-2)
• Sending help to fellow Christians (2 Corinthians 8:21)
• Praying for all who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
• Showing piety to widowed parents/grandparents (1 Timothy 5:4)
• Doing good to all, as we have opportunity, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:9-10, see also 2 Corinthians 9:7-8, Ephesians 2:10, Titus 3:1, 8, and 14)  

“But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.” (Galatians 4:18 NKJV)

    We are to have regard for (through planning and practice) all the good things God instructs us to do each and every day of our lives, in every situation we are in. This means that we are mindful of God and His way while we are at work, at play, in traffic, in long lines, talking to a customer service rep, answering a telemarketer’s call for the first time and/or the 15^th time, when our computer doesn’t work, when our neighbour is behaving badly, when our kids/grandkids are sassy, when we are in front our screens (phone, TV, or movie), the list can go on and on. Our regard for good should not dissolve as soon as we step out of the church building, or as soon as we leave the company of our brethren – they are depending on us to do our part and stand firm in God’s commands – our souls depend on that as well!

“Therefore to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:7 NKJV)

    In each of the inclusive bookends of Romans 12:17 there are no loopholes; there are no exceptions. We are not to repay even one person with evil. Period. And we are to make sure we know what is good and uphold it (let it be evident in our words and conduct) all of the time and in every situation. Period.

“Let you love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)

    Determine today, and every day you are blessed with, to be on vigilant guard of your thoughts, words, and actions. Be very careful that you repay no one evil for evil, instead study to truly know what God considers good, plan how you can apply it, and make it your life’s practice every moment of every day.   

You can do it! So can I!!