Practical Righteousness Toward Those Outside the Christian Community: Romans 12:17-21

From: Outline of the Epistle to the Romans: God's Righteousness Declared in the Gospel

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Romans 12:17‑21 • 3 min. read • grade level: 8

Chap. 12:17-21––Paul’s exhortations broaden out in the latter part of the chapter, focusing on our interactions with those outside the Christian profession.

Vs. 17––As Christians, we are to be careful to maintain a good testimony before “them that are without” (Mark 4:11¹¹And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: (Mark 4:11); Col. 4:5⁵Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Colossians 4:5); 1 Tim. 3:7⁷Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:7)). This is not easy because the world is opposed to Christianity and those of the world are inclined to find fault with Christians. Since persecution is inevitable (John 15:20²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20); 2 Tim. 3:12¹²Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)), the believer will feel the brunt of the world’s animosity, and may be tempted to get even. But Paul says, “Recompense to no man evil for evil.” If we retaliate we will surely give offence in some way, and thus, the ministry will be blamed (2 Cor. 6:3³Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: (2 Corinthians 6:3)).

Moreover, we must be careful in our secular callings to have our business dealings “honest in the sight of all men.” If the world finds “a spot on our garment” so to speak (Eccl. 9:8⁸Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. (Ecclesiastes 9:8))––that is, some failure or shortcoming which they can criticize, they will use it to justify their unbelief.

Vss. 18-21––Therefore, Paul says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” This shows that we should go on quietly in our Christian lives. We are to pray to that end––“that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1 Tim. 2:2²For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:2)). As much as is possible––that is, without compromising principles––we are to live “peaceably” in this world. If the people of the world direct their animosity towards us, we must resist the tendency to retaliate. Naturally, we would like to avenge a wrong done to us, but the Lord has not entrusted that to us. Our place is to maintain a Christian spirit and to wait for the Lord to work with that person. Paul quotes Psalm 94:1¹O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself. (Psalm 94:1) to show that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and therefore, we must leave the injustices done to us to Him, who will deal with them in His time and in His way.

Instead of retaliating, we are to try to diffuse the animosity by acts of kindness. Paul says, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.” He says, “In doing so, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” This is figurative language taken from Proverbs 25:21-22²¹If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: ²²For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. (Proverbs 25:21‑22). “Fire” is symbolic of judgment––in this case, self-judgment. The “head” is the place of one’s thoughts. Hence, repeated acts of kindness toward those who dislike us will eventually reach their hearts and consciences, and they will change their minds about us. This shows that practical Christianity goes beyond non-resistance to active benevolence.

Paul warns us of being “overcome of evil,” which is to allow ourselves to be affected by those who mistreat us and to deal with it in the flesh. J. G. Bellett said, “If my bad temper puts you in a bad temper, you have been overcome of evil” (Present Testimony, vol. 15, p. 66; Notes from Mediations on Luke, p. 42). Instead, Paul says that we are to “overcome evil with good” with acts of kindness.

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