“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. — Apodidōmi (repay) kakos (evil) for kakos is explicitly forbidden—the cycle of retaliation must break. Pronoeo (be forethought, care for) kalos (good) in front of pantos anthrōpou (all humans) means visible righteousness. Ethics are not private but performed before the watching world.
Church Fathers on Romans 12:17
“Recompense to no man evil for evil.” For if you find fault with another who plots against you, why do you make yourself liable to this accusation? If he did amiss how do you come not to shun imitating him? And observe how he puts no difference here but lays down one law for all. For he does not say, “recompense not evil” to the believer, but to “no man,” be he heathen, be he contaminated, or what not. “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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