Bible Commentaries
Romans 12

Verse 1

Romans 12:1

Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren,—The word “therefore” connects the exhortation to consecration to God with the en­tire discussion of the foregoing chapters, culminating in the declaration of God’s all-embracing mercy in 11:32.

by the mercies of God,—The mercy so often spoken of in chapter 11, as embracing both Jews and Gentiles in a common salvation, is here described by a very strong word, expressing tenderest compassion.

to present your bodies—They were to restrain and hold in abeyance all the sensual appetites and lusts, and consecrate all their faculties and ability to the service of God. [It means ceasing to hold. (Acts 20:24). Let God have full possession, not only of your spirit and soul, but of your physical body. Yield every member up to him. Again, it means ceasing to struggle, to cast all upon Him who is able to keep you from falling. This is, indeed, a life of self-denial. This gives a dim view of what it is to be not one’s own—a heart-rending lesson, a long and bitter lesson. But this is a hard thing to learn: that in everything, from this moment forever, we are not only not to get our own will, but we are to desire not to get it—to will and be controlled by another wholly and unceasingly. This is, indeed, dying to this world.]

a living sacrifice,—[The sanctified body might be called a “living sacrifice,” because its natural life is not consumed like an ordinary sacrifice, but is presented to God “alive from the dead.” There is in every sacrifice a death, and in this sacrifice a death unto sin, out of which arises a new life of righteous­ ness unto God. Thus the “living sacrifice” is that in which, though the natural life is not lost, a new life of holiness is gained. (Romans 6:13).]

holy,—Under the Mosaic law animals free from blemish were presented and devoted to God, under the new dispen­sation a nobler and more spiritual service is to be rendered: not the oblation of animals, but the consecration of ourselves. “Ye were bought with a price; glorify God therefore in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:20).

acceptable to God,—Those services will be acceptable to God, and those only, which he appoints. (See Colossians 2:20-23). When our bodies are full of life as a fact; when they are kept free from sin and actively employed in doing God’s will, then as offerings they are acceptable to him. [To please him should be our highest aim; the fact that we do please him is our highest reward.]

which is your spiritual service.—The marginal reading is, “belonging to the reason”—that is, since they had been re­deemed from death by the blood of Jesus Christ, it was reason­able that they should give their lives to rendering such service.

Verse 2

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2

And be not fashioned according to this world:—To be conformed to the world is to seek worldly good, to follow worldly ends, guided by the wisdom of the world. [By “this world” is meant the whole world of the ungodly as contrasted with the followers of Christ; the temporary order of things in which sin predominates. It is false, impure, and turbulent, mighty heaving confusion of fallen spirits, wrestling with each other and with God. As such, this world is in eternal opposition to him. Besides the grosser kinds of sensual and spiritual evil, this world has a multitude of refined and subtle powers of enmity against the divine will. There is, besides the lusts of the flesh, also the lusts of the eyes, the vainglory of life, pomp, ease, luxury, and self-pleasing; and there is, moreover, the stately self-worship, the fastidious self-contemplation of intellectual or secular men. And with this comes also a throng of less elevated sins—levity, love of pleasure, a thirst for money, a hunger for popularity and its debasing successes. These things steal away the heart and make men false to the Master. To be fashioned to the world is to be like unrenewed men in temper and in life.]

but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,—To be “transformed” is to be changed from the pursuit of worldly ends by renewing the mind, directing it by gospel motives into new channels for spiritual ends. [In other words, the mind, instead of being fashioned after this world, is to be so changed in belief, desire, and purpose as to lead to a life unlike the world in the particulars meant. The old, unrenewed mind fashions the life after the world; the renewed mind refuses because of the antagonism between it and the world. The renewed mind induces a new life.]

that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and per­fect will of God.—Test by experience what the good and ac­ceptable and perfect will of God will do toward making happy and bringing good. Before they obeyed the gospel they had in their daily life sought enjoyment in gratifying their las­civious appetites and passions. The entreaty now is that they should no longer practice these licentious habits, but prove the good of the will of God by practicing its precepts. [The mind must be renewed in order to judge correctly of God’s will. The things that enter into and make the Christian life are the things to be judged, and not of his will at large. It is his will respecting what, in Christian conduct, is in itself good, what is well-pleasing because right, what is perfect, or without flaw or defect. In regard to these things God has an expressed will, and to judge of it correctly the mind must be renewed.]

Verse 3

Romans 12:3

Romans 12:3

For I say, through the grace that was given me,—The grace given to Paul of which he speaks is the knowledge be­stowed upon him by the Spirit, which enabled him to do the work of an apostle.

to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think;—By the knowledge and wisdom bestowed on him he warned that no one should place too high an estimate upon the spiritual gift bestowed upon him or his own natural ability. By so doing he would injure himself, the cause of Christ, and the world. Christ warned against the same thing when he cautioned his disciples not to take the chief seats when bidden to a feast, but the lowest, and declared that “every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 14:11). If a man is modest and humble in his de­portment, others will honor him. The humblest members of society are more needful to the comfort and well-being of society than the most wealthy and learned. The welfare and well-being of a community are more dependent upon the cook, butcher, and day laborer than upon the most learned and eloquent man or the most fashionable and refined woman in society.

but so to think as to think soberly,—[To “think soberly” is to form and manifest a right estimate of ourselves and of our gifts and the reality of the gifts of others. A right esti­mate can never be other than a very humble one, since what­ever there is of good in us is not of ourselves, but of God.]

according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.—This cannot mean the faith produced by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), in the exercise of which one becomes a son of God (Galatians 3:26-27); but it means the faith in each one qualifying him for receiving and using aright the gifts which God gave for the instruction, the rule, the confirmation, the direction, and the extension of the church in the apostolic age. This faith was given in different measures or proportions, according to the wise determination of God. This is the faith to which Jesus alluded when he said: “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Re­move hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20). And Paul alludes to it when he said: “If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2). [But what Paul here calls attention to is not the nature and strength of this faith, but that, in all its degrees, it is a gift of God; and being a divine gift, no one can boast of it, as if it were one of the faculties of his own mind.]

Verse 4

Romans 12:4

Romans 12:4

For even as we have many members in one body,—The church is here compared to the human body, with its different members all united in one spiritual body. Those in the spir­itual body of Christ should have the same care for the others that the earthly members of our bodies have for each other. We are members one of another, as we are members of the one body of Christ our Lord. So as we realize our spiritual relationship in Christ, we will see the good of each other. To those who have grown slowly and are immature in character Paul wrote: “I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able; for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?” (1 Corinthians 3:2-3).

and all the members have not the same office:—Each mem­ber performs a different work and fills a different office from the others. Paul says: “Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncome­ly parts have more abundant comeliness.” (1 Corinthians 12:22-23).

Verse 5

Romans 12:5

Romans 12:5

so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and sev­erally members one of another.—[The members of the human body, and the function of each member is peculiar to itself; and as all are essential, no one can claim superiority over the others.] So the church, composed of many members, consti­tutes the spiritual body in Christ. In this each member has its appropriate office and work to do, and by virtue of all being members of the one body they are members one of another, each dependent upon the life and fidelity of the others for his own spiritual activity and life. Hence, each should constantly look to the good of all the others.

Verse 6

Romans 12:6

Romans 12:6

And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us,—Natural abilities and opportunities are gifts from God bestowed upon and possessed by each person. Nat­urally, men differ in their capacities and opportunities. One by capacity and taste is fitted for one kind of work, another for a different kind. When God bestowed a spiritual gift, it was never to implant a new faculty or taste, but to guide and enlighten and use those he already had. So the same natural tastes and abilities are found in inspired men that they pos­sessed by nature, guided and enlightened by the Holy Spirit. God bestowed these gifts according to his grace. They were distributed by the same Spirit-working gifts in each, “divid­ing to each one severally even as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:11). But each gift was given to each person for the good of all. According to the strength of his faith he was to work, using his gift as his faith furnished him ability.

whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the propor­tion of our faith;—The gift of prophecy is usually understood to be a miraculous ability to foretell the future. As these were teachers of the word, it came to apply in the New Testament to the teachers. Even among the inspired the knowledge given by the Spirit was in proportion to the faith. So also among the uninspired the strength of the faith is the measure of the ability to teach and to serve. Paul admonishes them not to go beyond the gift bestowed upon them—not to seek to tell more than was revealed. This applies equally to uninspired teachers, and warns them not to go beyond what is taught in the Scriptures and teach what their own wisdom may suggest as true. In teaching they must confine themselves to what is revealed in the word of God. Of this, Macknight says: "The apostle’s meaning, therefore, is that such as enjoyed the prophetic inspiration were not to imagine that because some things were revealed to them they might speak of every­thing, but that, in prophesying, they were to confine them­selves to what was revealed to them. The same rule we have laid down in Ephesians 4:7.” To this agree the instructions and admonitions here given by the apostle. Each was to confine himself to the line of work which the gifts enabled him to do.

Verse 7

Romans 12:7

Romans 12:7

or ministry, let us give ourselves to our ministry;—The “ministry” here was the work of the deacons, or he who serves in distributing the fellowship of the saints to the poor. This is an admonition that each must be faithful and diligent in the business for which he is fitted. It does not mean that a man in helping the needy is not to use his opportunities for teach­ing the gospel or speaking a word of comfort and encourage­ment. Paul says: “For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:13). That is, the work of the deacon faithfully performed develops a high de­gree of spiritual power and great boldness in the faith. They are not to be dissatisfied with the work to which they are adapted and seek one they consider more honorable or efficient.

or he that teacheth, to his teaching;—There were specially gifted teachers in the church. They were a lower order than the apostles, prophets, or evangelists, and they are admonished to diligently work according to their gift. They were to teach the gospel revealed by the apostles to the unconverted, and the lessons of truth to members of the body of Christ. One might be gifted in one special line, yet need instruction in others. (See 1 Corinthians 14:29-31). One who served faithfully in a lower gift might be entrusted with a higher. Paul, chosen to be an apostle from the beginning, served a time as a teacher (Acts 13:1), and afterwards had bestowed upon him a full apostolic measure of the Holy Spirit. By using faithfully the lower gifts he fitted himself to use the higher.

Verse 8

Romans 12:8

Romans 12:8

or he that exhorteth, to his exhorting:—Exhortation was a power of persuading and encouraging others to work, and of counseling, comforting, and consoling them when in dis­tress. This is a peculiar and useful talent. It is natural to some. Barnabas was a “son of exhortation,” or one gifted with this talent. (Acts 4:36). He had a talent of that kind and a gift corresponding to the talent. It was not so high a talent as some others, but those gifted were to use it for the honor of God and the good of man.

he that giveth, let him do it with liberality;—[The word here translated “liberajity” is elsewhere rendered “singleness of heart.” (Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22). The meaning here evi­dently is: openness of heart, manifesting itself by liberality and benefactions, free from pretense and self-seeking.] It must not be done in an ostentatious, pretentious manner, to be seen of men. Jesus says: “When therefore you doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men,” (Matthew 6:2).

he that ruleth, with diligence;—He that rules (directs in the affairs of the church) should do it with diligence, prompt­ness, and earnestness. [In a still more general sense the word is applied to ruling one’s own house and children. (1 Timothy 3:3-5; 1 Timothy 3:12).]

he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.—He that showeth mercy, let him do it not complainingly or grudgingly, but with gladness and cheerfulness, showing that the service is will­ingly and gladly rendered. [Cheerfulness in dispensing mer­ciful assistance seems to double its value, and certainly tends to a far more ready reception of spiritual counsel and advice on the part of the succored one.]

Verse 9

Romans 12:9

Romans 12:9

Let love be without hypocrisy.—Let all demonstrations and professions of love be sincere and without pretense or hypocrisy. Feigned love is hate disguised. Love was so prevalent and so strongly characterized the early church that he who had it not was tempted to simulate it.

Abhor that which is evil;—View with horror and dread and shrink from every evil deed as from a deadly poison, Wrong­doing is the poison of the soul. It unfits for heaven and edu­cates for eternal ruin. A man cannot love and honor the good from the heart without detesting the evil. He must come to abhor it in himself as in others. If it is wrong that he must abhor, he will abhor it in himself more than in others. David says: “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” (Psalms 119:104). To abhor the wrong does not carry with it the hating of the wrongdoer. He will try to deliver him from the wrongdoing. So a man who loves himself and hates wrong will seek to deliver him­self from wrongdoing. A Christian has no right to be neutral between right and wrong. He is under the same obligation to oppose the wrong that he is to maintain the right. But he must do it in the proper manner.

cleave to that which is good.—Follow that which is good, for it is health for the soul and fits for enjoying eternal bless­ings and glories.

Verse 10

Romans 12:10

Romans 12:10

In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another;—Christians must cultivate the feelings of kindly affection one to another in a true spirit of brotherly love. The admonition to brotherly love is frequently repeated by the apostles. “Let love of the brethren continue.” (Hebrews 13:1). “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one an­other from the heart fervently.” (1 Peter 1:22). [The duty is one which the Savior intended should be regarded as the badge of discipleship. He said: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35). Such is the love that the disciples are com­manded to cultivate one for another. This love embraces the universal brotherhood of the redeemed.]

in honor preferring one another;—Seek not the highest honor for yourself, but in matters small and great seek to confer honor on your brother rather than take it to yourself. [Instead of waiting for others to honor us, we should lead them in the manifestation of esteem and respect.]

Verse 11

Romans 12:11

Romans 12:11

in diligence not slothful;—In all business the Christian should be diligent in performing it well and quickly. Indo­lence, slothfulness, laziness, and idleness are condemned both in the Old and New Testaments. Solomon says: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). All should work that they may have lack of nothing, live honestly, pay what they owe to others, and have to give to those who are in need. Idleness is a disorderly walk. (2 Thessalonians 3:7).

fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;—Throw your soul into your work so that it will be done both quickly and well. Diligence is especially needed in the service of the Lord. [This clause is opposed to mere excitement in our diligence; the spirit itself must be stirred. In whatever we find to do, we are not only to be active, but to have a spiritual en­thusiasm, which is prompted by the knowledge that all our doing, however humble, is to be consecrated to God, to be made subservient to the cause of Christ.]

Verse 12

Romans 12:12

Romans 12:12

rejoicing in hope;—To the Christian is given a high and exalted hope of eternal glory with God. This so transcends in importance all earthly trials, troubles, disappointments, and afflictions that in the darkest hours he may find ground for rejoicing. “Whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:8). We are ex­horted to look beyond the present trials and afflictions and, despite them all, “rejoice in the Lord always.” (Philippians 4:4). A despondent, complaining, disheartened spirit that always sees evil is not in accord with the divine will.

patient in tribulation;—When trials and afflictions come on us, we must learn to patiently bear them, for the inspired teacher says: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-3). A complaining, fault-finding spirit is not in harmony with the spirit of Christ. The Christian can afford to be patient under such trials, knowing that by patiently bearing them the character is completed, perfected, and fitted to dwell with God.

continuing steadfastly in prayer;—In our sufferings and trials, as well as in the hours of peace and prosperity, nothing so pleases God as constant, earnest, trusting, and faithful prayer. The following are given under various forms and frequently repeated in the Scriptures: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.” (1 Timothy 2:8).

Verse 13

Romans 12:13

Romans 12:13

communicating to the necessities of the saints;—The Christian must be ready and glad to render assistance to his needy brother. As God has blessed him, he must use his blessing to help his needy brother. He is God’s steward; and if he does not use the blessings bestowed on him, it will be changed into a curse to him. He is to make their needs his needs to the full extent of his ability to relieve them. We are told that “he that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jeho­vah” (Proverbs 19:17); and, “Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me”; and those who refuse to do this shall hear the sentence: “Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41; Matthew 25:45).

given to hospitality.—Be careful to entertain strangers, for some in so doing have unawares entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:2). Paul, giving the qualifications that entitled a widow to be taken into the number to be supported by the church, says: “If she hath used hospitality to strangers.” (1 Timothy 5:10). To entertain the lowliest disciple of Jesus is to enter­tain Jesus. (Matthew 25:40). [The Christians of the apostolic day considered one principal part of their duty to consist in showing hospitality to strangers. They were, in fact, so ready in discharging this duty that the very heathen admired them for it.]

Verse 14

Romans 12:14

Romans 12:14

Bless them that persecute you; bless, and curse not.— The spirit of Christ is to return good for evil. “Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45). The Christian must do good for evil—render blessing for cursing. To do him good is to do what will benefit him— help him become a better man. It is not always what will please or gratify him, but what will help him. The Christian should always seek to do good to all. It means that we should deal with man in love and with justice. Tell him in a kind but firm spirit his wrongs, and seek to lead him into the right. This is not difficult to do when we bring ourselves under the true spirit of Christ. God and Jesus, in dealing with men, are our perfect models in these things. [It is the duty of the Christian so to teach and so to live as to commend himself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God (2 Corinthians 4:2), and thus compel the inward respect of even the wicked for his sincerity and consistency; but a decided, earnest, Christian spirit and life will always evoke some form of opposition from the ungodly world. The radical antagonism of the world to Christ is as real and deep now as when men cried, “Crucify him; crucify him!” although it may not always and every­where find the same form of expression.]

Verse 15

Romans 12:15

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.—A kindly, brotherly sympathy with others, both in their joys and sorrows, a desire for their good, to deliver them from sin and evil, should rule in our hearts. If so, we will rejoice in the well-being and happiness of others. Sometimes we envy those who succeed and prosper, and we despise those who fail and are in want; sometimes we sympathize with the needy, but envy the prosperous. All this is wrong. A spirit of brotherly kindness to all that will make us rejoice with the successful and sorrow with the unfortunate is the spirit of Christ. This is what Paul meant by becoming all things to all men. He would place himself in such full and complete sympathy with them that he felt their difficulties and rejoiced when they had occasions for joy. He could feel a brother’s sigh and with him bear a part. Christ felt for and pitied man in his lost, helpless, sinful state, and felt for his woes.

Verse 16

Romans 12:16

Romans 12:16

Be of the same mind one toward another.—Be of the same kind, sympathizing spirit toward all, rich and poor, is the true spirit of Christ. [Be united in feeling, interests, and object; let there be no discord or disagreement.]

Set not your mind on high things,—Do not seek after ex­alted stations in life. [The human regard worth having is given for what one is rather than where he is.]

but condescend to things that are lowly.—Condescend to regard with favor and associate with men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits.—Do not be puffed up with a sense of your own wisdom. Let every man think soberly of his own abilities. It is good to distrust self. Over­confidence in self leads to presumption, which is offensive to God and man. When men conceive the idea that they are wise, then they are unwilling to look to God for wisdom. They follow their own conceits. Hence, the Spirit said: “For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” (1 Corinthians 1:26). These classes all feel their earthly wisdom and greatness, and hence do not feel and realize the necessity of looking to and leaning upon the wisdom of God for guidance and help. This feeling not only hinders man from becoming a Christian, but if he should become one, it would hinder his trusting God after becoming one. The failure to trust God leads one to rely on the provisions of his own wisdom. Most of the failures in religion and in business come from too high an estimate of one’s self. [This forbids that which would destroy unanimity and love. Selfish ambition in the church is fatal to perfect mutual consideration, especially if one acts as if he ought to be at the head of every business, and that nothing could be done if he was not consulted or employed about it.]

Verse 17

Romans 12:17

Romans 12:17

Render to no man evil for evil.—Jesus Christ, both by example and precept, taught that none should recompense evil for evil to his neighbor. If one has wronged you, bear it patiently and return good for evil. Jesus prayed his Father to forgive those who crucified him.

Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men.—Consider to do things in a way that shall be regarded honor­able by all men. This is to let not your good be evil spoken of. [Here is a precept of loyal jealousy from the heavenly Master’s honor. His servant is to be nobly indifferent to the world’s thought and word where he is sure that God and the world antagonize. But he is to be sensitively atten­tive to the world’s observation where the world, acquainted with the word of the Lord and conscious of its truth and right, is watching, maliciously, or it may be wistfully, to see if it governs the practice of his professed followers. In view of this, the Christian will never be content even with the sat­isfaction of his own conscience. He will set himself not only to do right, but to be seen to do it. He will not only be true to a momentary trust, for example; he will take care that the proofs of his fidelity shall be open. He will not only mean well toward others; he will take care that his manner and bearing, his dealings and intercourse, shall unmistakably breathe the Christian air.]

Verse 18

Romans 12:18

Romans 12:18

If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.—Use all means in your power to live peaceably with all men; for the sake of peace, sacrifice everything, save truth and right. [That this is sometimes impossible Paul’s life shows (Acts 13:45; Acts 14:19; Acts 16:19; Acts 17:5; Acts 17:13; Acts 18:6; Acts 18:12; Acts 19:23), for his whole life was an active and ardent contention against sin and error. But our responsibility extends as far as our ability to keep the peace.]

Verse 19

Romans 12:19

Romans 12:19

Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God:—-They were enduring much suffering from their enemies, and he very tenderly exhorts them to suffer with patience the wrath thus inflicted upon them.

for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will rec­ompense, saith the Lord.—God, in his overruling here, will use the wicked to avenge the wrongs heaped upon his children; but especially at the judgment day will he requite the evil­doers for all the wrongs inflicted on them. Leave it in the hands of God to punish the wrongdoers. Paul thus prac­ticed. He, on several occasions, claimed the rights of a Roman citizen to shield him from unlawful punishment; but he never prosecuted his persecutors for wrongs they inflicted on him.

Verse 20

Romans 12:20

Romans 12:20

But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink:—If your enemy suffers or is in need, do him a kindness; relieve his wants in a kind, unostentatious manner.

for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.—In so doing you will make him feel and regret in his own heart the wrong he has done you, will melt his enmity and change him into a friend. The most excruciating punishment to a man is to make him feel that he has done wrong to one who loves him, and leave it to his own conscience and to God to punish for the wrong.

Verse 21

Romans 12:21

Romans 12:21

Be not overcome of evil,—Do not let evil done you so overcome you as to lead you to do evil in return. If you suf­fer yourself to be provoked to revenge, you will be yielding to the enemy—overcome by that which is evil.

but overcome evil with good.—[When you meet evil with good, you have at least overcome evil in yourself, if not in your enemy.]