Four Triplets Of Duties Series

And third, we have selflessness in mind. Paul says in verse 16c, “Never be wise in your own sight.”

A conceited young man was a great trial to D. L. Moody. One day he said to the evangelist, “You know, Mr. Moody, I am a self-made man.”

To which Mr. Moody replied, “Young man, you have relieved the Almighty of a great responsibility.”

III. The Sixth Triplet: The Law of Non-Hostility (12:17-18)

The sixth triplet refers to the law of non-hostility.

First, we have non-hostility in response to wrongs. Paul says in verse 17a, “Repay no one evil for evil.” These words, and the words of the remainder of the chapter for the most part, have to do mainly with duty in the face of hostility.

We are “as lambs in the midst of wolves,” as our Lord says (cf. Luke 10:3), and we should expect to be mistreated. Paul has principally in mind the attitude of the world to the believer. The world will hate us, because it hated Jesus. And Paul asks us not to respond in kind.

By the way, this is referring to our personal response. It does not refer to a corporate response to evil. Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, I received a number of emails from concerned, albeit confused, individuals quoting this text of Scripture, and urging me to preach against a military response to the terrorist attack on America. This verse does not apply to such a situation. Paul is quite clear in the very next chapter (cf. Romans 13:4) that God has appointed governing authorities to bear the sword to punish the wrongdoer.

Second, we have non-hostility in a righteous life. Paul says in verse 17b: “But give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” It is clear from this imperative that the apostle believed that the world had essentially correct notions of morality. In fact, Alexander Maclaren notes, “The worst of men has a rude sense of duty which tops the attainments of the best.”

I think of Joseph, the son of Jacob, in this respect. He was sold into slavery in Egypt. Eventually, he rose to the place of Chief Slave in the house of Potipher. Potipher’s wife took a liking to Joseph, and repeatedly wanted him to take advantage of her availability to him. However, Joseph refused to do so. He did what was right, in God’s sight and indeed, in the sight of all.

And third, we have non-hostility in peace. Paul says in verse 18 that well-known injunction, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Peace depends both upon objective and subjective things. Objectively the Christian can never be at peace with the world, for it continues its quarrel with Jesus Christ by the persecution of his followers. In fact, it is our Lord who says, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).

The world has a sinful lord, the Devil, and he has many servants. We serve the Holy One, and there can only be conflict between the two princes and their soldiers.

However, from the subjective standpoint, that is, from our side, the Apostle asks that we give no occasion for conflict ourselves. “As far as it depends on you,” let there be peace. In other words, when the quarrel is struck up, let it be from the other side.