romans 12:17-21

Romans 12:17-21

July 8, 2007 Bob Eckel 1

The Believer and the World• Rom 12:17 ESV “Repay no one evil for evil, but give

thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”– Let’s again acknowledge that this is what the new founded Rom

12:1-2 life looks like in us – positioned as holy and acceptable unto God!

– Retaliation (present active participle) is not a characteristic of the Christ life

• I Thess 5:15, I Pet 3:9, Rom 12:14, I Cor 13:4,5• But it does at times enter into our thoughts doesn’t it?

– Keep looking down!!! – Phil 3:20

– ‘but give thought (beforehand)’• to good things (kalos – good vs. kakos – evil) before all men (ILG)

– Prov 3:4 - And so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.– 2 Cor 8:21 - Providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord,

but also in the sight of men.

Romans 12:17-21


The Believer and the World– 1 Pet 2:12 - Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when

they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

• The Christian principle lived out– Col 3:13 – ‘Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man

have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.’

• Rom 12:18 NKJV “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”– What’s this ‘if it is possible, as much as depends on you’ stuff

anyway?• Matt 26:39 – ‘And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and

prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt].’ – interpretation?

• ‘as much as depends on’ – ek, out of, from, by, away from – Earlier in Romans, Paul has stated - ‘So, as much as is in me, I am ready to

preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.’ - Rom 1:15 • Who is He appealing to – The New Man or Adam?

Romans 12:17-21


The Believer and the World• Is it conditional, e.g. if others will let me?• Does God give us an out here?• Did the Lord Jesus Christ and other NT saints always live peaceably with

all men?• How about Heb 12:14 – ‘Pursue peace with all people, and holiness,

without which no one will see the Lord:’– This is sanctification, are you really one of His?

• James 3:18 ‘Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.’

• Rom 12:19 ESV – “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”– How’s this as a view looking down?

• Who’s in control here anyway?– ‘avenge’ – vindication, exacting justice

• present active participle

Romans 12:17-21


The Believer and the World– ‘leave or give it’ – aorist active imperative

• Your job based on your position is give the wrath/vengeance to the Lord

– This is the Lord’s responsibility • ‘I will repay’ – future active indicative

– Deut 32:35 – ‘Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’

– Nahum 1:2,3 – ‘God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet.’

– Heb 10:30 - ‘For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people.”

• ‘says’. present active indicative (now I am telling you!!) – do we believe Him?• How will the Lord repay?

• Rom 12:20 NKJV “Therefore, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

Romans 12:17-21


The Believer and the World– This is directly from Prov 25:21,22 without the ‘and the Lord will reward

thee’ – no rewards for now?• feed and give – present active imperative

– ‘coals of fire on his head’• In O.T. – God’s vengeance

– Psalms 140:10 – ‘Let burning coals fall upon them; Let them be cast into the fire, Into deep pits, that they rise not up again.’

– Psalms 11:6 – ‘Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup.’

• RWP – ‘That is, burning or live coals{Anthrax}(our "anthracite") is an old word, only here in N.T. It is a metaphor for keen anguish. The Arabs have a proverb ‘coals in the heart,’ ‘fire in the liver.’ Such kindness may lead to repentance also.’

– Vine – ‘by conferring a favor on your enemy, you recall the wrong s/he has done you, so that s/he repents, with pain of heart.’

– I thought Matt 5:44 ‘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,’ was for the Kingdom age?

Romans 12:17-21


The Believer and the World• That sweet aroma – II Cor 2:14-17

• Rom 12:21 NKJV “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”– ‘Do not be overcome’ – present passive imperative– ‘but overcome’ – present active imperative

• These are both commands that reflect conquering – Are we being conquered by evil or are we conquering evil?

» Which life?» Reflect back on Rom 12:1,2» Whatever – don’t do it or do it!!!

– 1 Pet 3:9 ‘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.’

Romans 12:17-21


The Believer and the World– Evil is an extension of the ‘hatefulness’ of others exemplified in v 20, but

also reflects all of the evil in the world • Remember, we’re in foreign soil brother and sister!

– Hal said for verses 19-21 • ‘it’s like the wife of I Pet 3 winning her husband without a word, but by her

– conduct– adorning – not outward but hidden man in the heart’

• So how should we respond?Be lifted up!

Rest!Believe!

Let Christ live!

romans 12:17-21

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