Love
So radical is this advice that Paul, in the midst of a section that has been marked by short, clipped sentences, devotes the next five verses to expanding upon this theme and motivating his readers to show a proper response to the unchristian opposition that will inevitably come to them.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Note first of all that Paul urges the Romans not to be vindictive, not to be the ones making trouble. Rather, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Paul’s saying “If it is possible . . . ” makes it immediately evident, however, that living at peace with everyone will not always be possible. The devil and the wicked world will see to that. They will confront us with situations that simply must be opposed.
But even when trouble and controversy are unavoidable, when situations occur in which we suffer harm and loss, Paul says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. . . . Do not take revenge.”
From where is the Christian to draw the strength necessary for such a response? First there is not only the example, but especially the enabling power, of Christ. Recall that even as he was being nailed to the cross, Jesus interceded for his executioners with the prayer, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Paul adds to this a second consideration: There is a just and holy God in charge even when evil people do evil things. Christians are not called upon to set everything right in the world. They are not to repay the evildoers in kind or to take revenge. That will all eventually work itself out in God’s eternal court of justice. Hence drawing on Deuteronomy 32:35, the apostle can say, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”