1 Thessalonians 5:15 BSB

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.

KJV

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

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Commentary

3 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

See that none render evil for evil - See the notes on Mat 5:39, Mat 5:44. The meaning here is, that we are not to take vengeance; compare notes on Rom 12:17, Rom 12:19. This law is positive, and is universally binding. The moment we feel ourselves acting from a desire to “return evil for evil,” that moment we are acting wrong.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

This we must look to, and be very careful about, that is, we must by all means forbear to avenge ourselves. If others do us an injury, this will not justify us in returning it, in doing the same, or the like, or any other injury to them. It becomes us to forgive, as those that are, and that hope to be, forgiven of God.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

We must always endeavour to be beneficent and instrumental to promote the welfare of others, both among ourselves (in the first place to those that are of the household o faith ), and then, as we have opportunity, unto all men, Gal. vi. Various Short Exhortations. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

19 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
ὁρᾶτε	horate	do see that	G3708 →
μή	mē	no	G3361 →
τις	tis	one	G5100 →
κακὸν	kakon	evil	G2556 →
ἀντὶ	anti	for	G473 →
κακοῦ	kakou	evil	G2556 →
τινι	tini	to anyone	G5100 →
ἀποδῷ,	apodō	may repay,	G591 →
ἀλλὰ	alla	but	G235 →
πάντοτε	pantote	always	G3842 →
τὸ	to	the	G3588 →
ἀγαθὸν	agathon	good	G18 →
διώκετε	diōkete	do pursue	G1377 →
καὶ	kai	also	G2532 →
εἰς	eis	toward	G1519 →
ἀλλήλους	allēlous	one another	G240 →
καὶ	kai	and	G2532 →
εἰς	eis	toward	G1519 →
πάντας.	pantas	all.	G3956 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
leads to
- Hebrews 13:16
  And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- Proverbs 3:27
  Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
Through
Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
leads to
- Matthew 22:39–40
  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
- Romans 13:9
  The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Mark 12:31–34
  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
- Luke 10:27–37
  He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Through
1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
leads to
- Romans 12:17
  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- Proverbs 20:22
  Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

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About 1 Thessalonians

The Ascension — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

1 Thessalonians: the study guide →Read chapter 5 →The featured study →

Continue: 1 Thessalonians 5 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 1 Thessalonians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 1 Thessalonians