Romans 12:18

Romans 12:18, in plain English

As much as it's possible for you to make peace—where you have any control—do it with everyone around you.

Why it's here

Paul adds the qualifier 'if it's possible on your part' because sometimes the other person won't cooperate. But that's not your excuse to give up trying. You do your part.

Who's speaking

Paul, clarifying the boundary of your responsibility

Where it sits in the story

This connects to Jesus being called the Prince of Peace and his constant call for reconciliation. You can't force peace on someone, but you can stop being the obstacle to it.

The scholarly reading

To the extent it depends on believers' own effort, they must pursue peaceable relations with all people, not unilaterally breaking peace.

Language and setting

The qualification 'if it is possible on your part' (to ex humōn) is crucial: Paul acknowledges that peace sometimes requires the other party's cooperation, which may not be forthcoming. This realism tempers idealism; believers cannot be held responsible for others' refusal to reconcile. Yet the burden clearly rests on believers to make every reasonable effort. The Greek eirēneuo (live at peace—literally 'peace-ing') is an active verb suggesting habitual pursuit of peace. Given that Rome had just expelled Jews under Claudius and tensions between Jewish and gentile believers remained high, this was eminently practical advice. Augustine emphasized that peace-making is not appeasement that compromises truth, but alignment of wills toward common good.

Voice

Paul, now addressing relations with those outside the immediate community and with adversaries.

Significance

This connects to the biblical trajectory from conquest narratives to the prophets' vision of swords beaten into plowshares and the Messiah as the 'Prince of Peace.'

16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

18If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

19Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

20On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Read all of Romans 12 — Paul shifts from theology to practice. Offer your whole self. Be transformed. Love genuinely. Overcome evil with good.