Romans 12:21 Overcoming evil with good

The apostle Paul issues a warning to not let the evil around us overcome us. Rather, let good triumph over evil.

Paul is remarkable for his sympathy with the unpredictability of human nature. He recognises the forces which arise against us are so many, so subtle and strong, that sometimes we may become depressed because of the difficulty of ever being even remotely Christ-like. The apostle gives us encouragement with his words recorded in Romans chapter 12 and verse 21, which is the verse we are considering in this article:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Adding fuel to the fire or quenching it?

If we try to overcome evil with evil is to spread it and increase it. Imagine what happens if you add fuel to a fire – it explodes and becomes even worse. You doing evil just gives the illness called evil even more strength. You cannot reconcile with your neighbour by becoming as crooked as them. The only weapons we are permitted to wield as believers are mercy and kindness. When not using these, our attitude must be that of patience and endurance.

The worldly virtues of bravery, courage, and similar, explain a great deal of the evil and misery of mankind. Evil has promoted evil. But goodness is stronger than it. The example of the interaction between David and Saul demonstrates how goodness is stronger than evil.

David and Saul at En Gedi

David had grown up as a shepherd boy. After the defeat of Goliath and the Philistines, Saul took David into his service. Saul was greatly impressed by David and wanted him to permanently be in his household. David progressed rapidly in Saul’s household and became respected by those around him. So much so that he was elevated to leadership in the army. However, David’s success stirred up Saul’s jealousy. He started to suspect that David would succeed him as king. Saul had fits of depression and this resulted in his mind being filled with a jealous hatred.

Saul decided to get rid of David and several times he made attempts on David’s life. Twice Saul attempted to kill David by throwing a javelin at him. After many more jealous attempts on David’s life he was forced to flee into the wilderness to save his life.

Over the coming period as an outlaw David travelled to many places. One place he chose to keep safe was at En Gedi. He chose this place because of the abundant fresh spring water amongst the surrounding barren hills. He would never be short of drinking water and he could bathe in the water. In addition, there were many caves where he could hide. The caves also provided protection from the elements and the area offered plenty of shade.

Saul heard that David was hiding at En Gedi. So he went there with 3,000 hand-picked men. The king went into a cave to rest but he didn’t realise that this was the cave where David was hiding. And this gave David and his men the opportunity to kill Saul but David stopped his men from harming him. Instead, whilst Saul was sleeping, David cut off part of Saul’s robe to demonstrate he didn’t want to harm Saul.

When he showed himself to Saul he said:

I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. (1 Samuel 24: 11-12)

Saul was touched by David’s mercy and said:

You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 1 Samuel 24: 17

This is a lesson for us, to return good for evil. Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians reminds us what to do when he says:

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5: 15

Jesus taught us that we are too love our enemies. It can be sometimes difficult to keep this command but despite this, we are commanded to do it. By obeying Christ’s commands and not pleasing ourselves, we draw nearer to God and become more like His son.

Saul was so overcome with David’s mercy, that he said to David:

And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 1 Samuel 24: 20

This did come true with David eventually becoming king.

Goodness to all men

We have been encouraged to show love to others and this must be accompanied by kindness. We are to do good unto all men, as we have opportunity. Christ says that if we do good only to those who do good to us, we are no better than the Pharisees and the sinners.

In the world, from the highest politician to the poorest citizen, retaliation is the order of the day. As soon as anybody shows the cold shoulder, the result is to resent. This must not be so with us. Christ has given commandment how we ought to live our life. John says we deceive ourselves if we say we are children of God, and do not keep His commandments. We are commanded to overcome evil with good, and not return evil for evil. The good deeds of those the believers who belong to God, will not depend upon external incitement, or attraction, or upon personal benefit, but will just naturally come to the forefront of that person’s character and actions.

The good things done for those who are fellow believers, will normally be very thorough, very cordial, very delightful.  However, at the same time, the unthankful and the evil must come in for a share of our kindness as well.

Harmless as doves

The command of the Lord is absolute, that we are to act the part of sheep in the midst of wolves; wise as serpents, but harmless as doves. The faithful of the first century recognised this as involving non-resistance. This is evident from James’ incidental remark to the cruel rich men of the twelve tribes:

You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. James 5:6

It is also distinctly evident from Paul’s words in 2 Cor. 11:20:

For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.

Expressed in another way, “it is a usual thing with you to submit, without resistance, to personal injury; how much more may you endure my words.” This shows that the duty of non-resistance in these cases was recognised and practised among the disciples, led by Paul. Indeed, he expressly commands it. He says:

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.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

As we saw earlier in this article, Paul also says in 1 Thessalonians 5:15:

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Paul continues along the same line in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 7:

To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?

Such commandments are hard for humans: but they are only given to those who are being called by the great God to a higher level. It is a higher level which the heart of an unbeliever cannot comprehend. To obey the command behind these words of Paul is the wise and necessary thing to do as Peter says in 1 Peter 5:6:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

The evils of war

What about war? Does that count as evil or is it an unfortunate necessity of the world made up of many different groups of people? Some may be argue it does not count as evil as it is defending the country from outside aggressors.

We live in a world that always seems to have war between two opposing sides. We can think back to the two major wars of last century – World War 1 and 2. But there have been many other major wars since then – Korean War (1950-1953), Vietnam War (1955-1975), Gulf War (1990-1991). Currently there is the war between the Ukraine and Russia.

Many people talk of the necessity of war to achieve this aim or that aim. Yet, the Bible has a different view on war and whether we should engage in it.

Precepts of War	Precepts of Christianity
Resist evil treatment from others.	“Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”. (Matt. 5:39).
“Hate your enemy” (quoted in Matt. 5:43).	“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matt. 5:44).
Repay to your enemies evil for evil.	“Repay no one evil for evil” (Rom. 12:17).
Avenge yourself on those who oppress you, or rebel against you.	“Beloved, never avenge yourselves,” (Rom. 12:19).
Submit not to insult, injustice, or cruelty; vengeance is ours—we will repay.	but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Rom. 12:19).
Overcome opposition and rebellion with the weapon.	“Overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).
Seek war with the enemies of your country.	“Strive for peace with everyone” (Heb. 12:14).
Fight for military glory.	“Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory” (Phil. 2:3).
Put on therefore, as the defenders of your countries, brave and patriotic, missiles, guns; fighting with one another, and killing one another, if your nations have quarrels against each other.	“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive”. (Col. 3:12, 13).
The servant of his country must strive, and be violent towards some men in the war scenario.	“the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil”, (2 Tim. 2:24).
Your country sends you forth as armed soldiers to destroy her enemies; therefore be warlike as eagles, and fierce as lions!	“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves”. (Matt. 10:16).
Draw your weapon, and defend yourself and your country; lest you perish with the sword (i.e. military weapon).	“Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (Matt. 26:52).

As a believer we are not to engage in or encourage war, whether it be offensive or defensive as this goes against the teachings of Jesus and his fellow workers.

In conclusion

We must learn that we cannot eradicate evil unless we cultivate good. It is a vain thing to strive for the “negative righteousness” which consists merely of putting away that which is bad and evil but not trying to do good. It can only be done by the cultivation of the pure and noble and the wholesome.