Living Peaceably

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” – Romans 12:17-18

Paul is not painting a dreamy picture of believers holding hands in a peaceful meadow—he is calling us into the rugged, radical terrain of Christlike love. After urging us to bless those who persecute us, he takes us even deeper. In a world that celebrates payback and applauds “giving people what they deserve,” Paul invites us to something far different. Jesus Himself said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43–44). And Peter reminds us that when Christ was reviled, “He did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:21). This is not natural love—it is supernatural grace.

Paul then calls us to pursue peace—not just with those who are easy to love, but with those who may never return the effort. Some relationships will not be restored, no matter how hard we try. Yet Paul says, “as much as depends on you,” do your part. Jesus taught the same principle when He said to leave your gift at the altar and seek reconciliation first (Matthew 5:23–24). Our responsibility is obedience; the outcome belongs to God. Like a tree whose branches stretch wide, offering shade to anyone who stands beneath it, we extend love and grace without checking whether the person is friend or foe. This is the distinctive mark of a follower of Christ.

Finally, Paul reminds us that vengeance is not our assignment: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19). He quotes Moses’ final song in Deuteronomy 32:35, pointing us back to the God who judges with perfect wisdom and perfect mercy. Our anger, no matter how justified it feels, “does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20). When we release our desire to retaliate, we place the situation into the hands of the only One who sees every motive and every hidden detail. And in doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ to a watching world

“To repay evil for evil is to be overcome by it; to repay evil with good is to overcome it.” – John Stott