Romans 12:21
What does Romans 12:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 12:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 12:21 means
The final charge gathers the section into a single principle: do not let evil master you by drawing you into its methods. Instead, conquer evil with good. Evil wins when it provokes us to mirror it; good wins when it persists in truth, love, and mercy despite injury. This is the way of the cross, where Christ overcame sin not by retaliation but by obedient self-giving and resurrection power. For believers, it means steadfast commitment to God’s ways, trusting His justice and strength. Overcoming evil with good is both moral resistance and hopeful witness in a hostile world.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do not let evil overcome you, but overcome evil by good.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Be not overcome by the evil, but overcome, in the good, the evil.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Be not overcome by evil: but overcome evil by good.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Context
This concluding verse sums up verses 14–20 and, in a sense, the entire chapter’s ethic: a transformed life responds to God’s mercy by living out goodness that does not capitulate to the world’s patterns. It caps the move from consecration (verses 1–2), to humble service in the body (verses 3–8), to sincere love in all relationships (verses 9–20). The reader is left with a memorable, governing maxim for Christian conduct, one that reflects the gospel’s power and preserves the church’s witness.
v.20But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.
v.21This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 6:27
But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you,
- Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
- 1 Peter 3:9
not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
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