Romans 12:21, Be Not Overcome of Evil

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Barnes commented, “Be not vanquished or subdued by injury received from others. Do not suffer your temper to be excited; your Christian principles to be abandoned; your mild, amiable, kind, and benevolent temper to be ruffled by any opposition or injury which you may experience. Maintain your Christian principles amidst all opposition, and thus show the power of the gospel. They are overcome by evil who suffer their temper to be excited, who become enraged and revengeful, and who engage in contention with those who injure them.”

Legend has it that a wealthy merchant traveling through the Mediterranean world looking for the distinguished Pharisee, Paul, encountered Timothy, who arranged a visit. Paul was, at the time, a prisoner in Rome. Stepping inside the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, physically frail, but whose serenity and magnetism challenged the visitor. They talked for hours. Finally the merchant left with Paul’s blessing. Outside the prison, the concerned man inquired, “What is the secret of this man’s power? I have never seen anything like it before.”

“Did you not guess?” replied Timothy. “Paul is in love.” The merchant looked bewildered. “In love?” “Yes,” the missionary answered, “Paul is in love with Jesus Christ.”

The merchant looked even more bewildered. “Is that all?” Smiling, Timothy replied, “That is everything.”¹

May Christ’s love so fill our hearts that we may consistently overcome evil with good. Amen.

¹1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching.