Study of Romans 12 – Verse 19

    I encourage you to go back and reread the two lessons on Romans 12:17, and last week’s lesson on Romans 12:18; both these verses prepare us to obey the command given in verse 19.

“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the LORD.” (Romans 12:19 NKJV)  

    When we prepare ourselves (through study, prayer, remembering, and reverence) to know and to practise what is good in the sight of all men (i.e. every moment of every day) we will also learn to abhor what is evil (Romans 12:9), and we will be less likely to give in to the carnal desire of wanting to repay evil for evil (Romans 12:17). Clinging to what is good and abhorring what is evil will also prepare us to bring peace to every situation we are in (Romans 12:18). We should carry within us, every moment of the day, a mindset prepared to counter any evil (anger, wrath, reviling, etc.) with composed peace, because we prioritize doing what is right in God’s sight always, not what man deems alright in the moment.

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20 NKJV)

“…do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath…”

Wrath, in the passage (Strong’s #G3709 ‘orge’), means settled anger (opposition), rising up from an ongoing (fixed) opposition. The Greek word ‘orge’ comes from the verb ‘orago’ which means to teem or to swell. This implies that it is not a sudden outburst, but rather (referring to God’s wrath) a fixed, controlled, justifiable abhorrence against sin – a settled indignation. God stands opposed to man’s disobedience, unyielding stubbornness, and sin. God has clearly stated the punishment and consequences for these choices, and they will be delivered by Him if those sins are not repented of.

    The abilities and energies God blesses us with are not to be wasted on retaliation or even thoughts of retaliation. We are to use our time, abilities, and energies to learn what is good, be transformed by it, and cling to it (make it a part of who we are every moment of every day) so that we may be holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1, 9). Through reading and study, we will also learn what God is opposed to, and so we do our utmost to not be influenced by those things or to participate in them in any way (read and consider Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:5-8).

    When wrong is done to us, we do not retaliate. We recognize the wrongdoing as something that God is wholly opposed to and we leave it to Him (who judges righteously, 1 Peter 2:21-23); it is God’s place to punish, not ours. Our responsibility and the proper use of our energies and abilities is to maintain our regard for good things in the sight of all men and to live peaceably with all men; so having learned what God says is good, we put it into practise and stand up for God and His way in a peaceful manner.    

    When you suffer for doing what is right, follow in Jesus’ steps: let go and let God.  Love, bless, do good, and pray for those who are your enemies, who hate you, curse you, and spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44), just as Jesus did when He prayed on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34).

    Love for God and appreciation for His mercy toward us should motivate us to be loving and merciful to those who may not know better. Maintaining our regard for good things and being peaceable in every situation will help those involved (and/or those observing) to learn of a better way – to learn of God and His way!

    Keep your mind focused on things above (Colossians 3:1-3) and show yourself to be a true follower of Christ by walking just as Jesus walked (1 John 2:3-6).

You can do it! So can I!!    

Study of Romans 12 – Verse 17 (Part 1)

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

    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 have a closer look at the first phrase.

“no one” (Strong’s Greek #3367 ‘medeis’) This is a phrase used in the New Testament to give emphasis to the exclusion or prohibition being commanded; it means no one, absolutely none; not even one.

    Are we to repay evil to anyone? No, none, not even one.

“repay” (Strong’s Greek #591 ‘apodidomi’) means to render, to give back (to its rightful owner).

    What is it that we are never to repay, not even to one? Evil, when one have done evil to us.

The Bible says it best and clearest. Read – and reread – these commands:

“See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what good for both yourselves and for all.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15 NKJV)

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 NKJV)

And now read how Jesus obeyed this very command – and how we are to follow His steps:

“…when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, now was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously…” (1 Peter 2:20b-23 NKJV)

    There is no room around this command; there are no exceptions. We are not to repay even one person with evil, even though they have done evil to us. Period.

    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. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and turn to Matthew 5:44; read this verse, and then write it out – carefully. Pay close attention to Jesus’ instruction, and put it into immediate practice; in following it you can be perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48).

Are you ready to replace retaliation with blessing?

You can do it! So can I!!