02.23. IV. The Yielded Life in Relation to the World (12:16b-21).
IV. The Yielded Life in Relation to the World (Rom 12:16-21).
1. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil (Rom 12:16-17). This is quoted from Pro 3:7, which, according to the Septuagint version, reads: Be not wise in thine own conceit; but fear God, and depart from evil. Rotherham, in the Romans citation, reads: Be not getting presumptuous in your own opinion: unto one evil for evil rendering. In 1Pe 3:9 it is written: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
2. Provide things honest in the sight of all men (Rom 12:17). This intensely important word, repeated in effect in 2Co 8:21, and elsewhere often insisted upon, is another Old Testament quotation, being from Pro 3:4, in the Septuagint.
3. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Rom 12:18). This is closely connected with what follows. Dr. Young gives the whole paragraph thus:
If possible —so far as in you—with all men being in peace; not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it hath been written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will recompense again, saith the Lord;’ if, then, thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he doth thirst, give him drink; for this doing, coals of fire thou shalt heap upon his head; be not overcome by the evil, but overcome, in the good, the evil. The first part of the quotation is from Deu 32:35 and is cited again in Heb 10:30. The remainder of the passage is from Pro 25:21-22. He who cannot be moved from the basis of love, says Dr. Stifler, is a victor even though he cannot win his enemy. To win himself is a much greater triumph.
Now let the reader look back over this marvellous chapter. It is full of impossibilities from the natural standpoint, yet it is the practical, normal Christian life. Victory comes through a definite yielding of the body into God’s hands as a living sacrifice. This is indeed our reasonable service. Here is where world-conformity ends and heavenly transfiguration begins. Thus, and thus only, is the goal to be reached—the goal of triumph. Thus, and only thus, can God’s child avoid being overcome of evil. Thus only can he overcome evil with good.