some or any person or object · indefinite pronoun — nominative singular masculine
but
ἀλλὰalla
G235
properly · conjunction
ever
πάντοτεpantote
G3842
every when · adverb
follow
διώκετεdiōkete
G1377
compare the base of G1169 (δειλός) and G1249 (διάκονος)) · verb — present active imperative, 2nd person plural
good
ἀγαθὸνagathon
G18
"good" (in any sense · adjective — accusative singular neuter
both
καὶkai
G2532
and · conjunction
among
εἰςeis
G1519
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered) · preposition
yourselves
ἀλλήλουςallēlous
G240
one another · reciprocal pronoun — accusative plural masculine
and
καὶkai
G2532
and · conjunction
to
εἰςeis
G1519
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered) · preposition
all
πάντας.pantas
G3956
all · adjective — accusative plural masculine
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (James Strong, 1890/1894), public domain; digitized by Open Scriptures (CC BY-SA). KJV word tagging: eBible.org (public domain). Original-language text, parsing and brief lexicon: STEPBible.org data from Tyndale House, Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).
Cross-references
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit…
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
Romans 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
1 Peter 3:11-13 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1 Peter 2:22-23 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Cross-references from OpenBible.info (CC BY), in the lineage of the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain).
Commentary
Matthew Henry on 1 Thessalonians 5:11-15
In these words the apostle exhorts the Thessalonians to several duties.
I. Towards those who were nearly related one to another. Such should comfort themselves, or exhort one another, and edify one another, Th1 5:11. 1. They must comfort or exhort themselves and one another; for the original word may be rendered both these ways. And we may observe, As those are most able and likely to comfort others who can comfort themselves, so the way to have comfort ourselves, or to administer comfort to others, is by compliance with the exhortation of the word. Note, We should not only be careful about our own comfort and welfare, but to promote the comfort and welfare of others also. He was a Cain that…
(Rom 12:17; Pe1 3:9.)
unto any man--whether unto a Christian, or a heathen, however great the provocation.
follow--as a matter of earnest pursuit.
Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render evil for evil - Every temper contrary to love is contrary to Christianity. A peevish, fretful, vindictive man may be a child of Satan; he certainly is not a child of God.
Follow that which is good - That by which ye may profit your brethren and your neighbors of every description, whether Jews or Gentiles.
John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render evil for evil unto any man,.... Not an ill word for an ill word, railing for railing, nor an ill action for an ill action; no, not to any man whatever, not to an enemy, a persecutor, a profane person, as well as not to a brother, a believer in Christ; and this the saints should not only be careful of, and guard against in themselves, but should watch over one another, and see to it, that no such practice is found in each other.
But ever follow that which is good; honestly, morally, pleasantly, and profitably good; even every good work, which is according to the will of God, is done in faith, from love, and to the glory of God; and particularly acts of beneficence and li…
The Church Fathers
"What does 'See that none of you repays evil for evil' mean?" The old man said … 'Passions work in four stages—first, in the heart; secondly, in the face; thirdly, in words; and fourthly, it is essential not to render evil for evil in deeds. If you can purify your heart, passion will not come into your expression; but if it comes into your face, take care not to speak; but if you do speak, cut the conversation short in case you render evil for evil.' "
A brother asked Poemen about the words, 'Do not render evil for evil' (1 Thess. 5:15). He said to him, 'The passions work in four stages: first in the heart, then in the face, third in words, fourth in deeds – and it is in deeds that it is essential not to render evil for evil. If you purify your heart, passion will not show in your expression, but if it does, take care not to speak about it; if you do speak, cut the conversation short in case you render evil for evil.'
"See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but alway follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all." If we ought not to render evil for evil, much less evil for good; much less, when evil has not been previously done, to render evil. Such an one, you say, is a bad man, and has aggrieved me, and done me much injury. Do you wish to revenge yourself upon him? Do not retaliate. Leave him unpunished. Well, is this the stopping-place? By no means; "But alway follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all." This is the higher philosophy, not only not to requite evil with evil, but to render good for evil. For this is truly revenge that brings harm to him and advantage to thyself, or rather great advantage even to him, if he will. And that thou mayest not think that this is said with respect to the faithful, therefore he has said, "both one toward another and toward all."
The Church Fathers: public-domain translations (Ante-Nicene and Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers), verse-indexed by SermonIndex (CC BY 4.0).
Dictionary and topics
Proverbs, Book of — A collection of moral and philosophical maxims of a wide range of subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth the “philosophy of practical life. It is the sign to us that the Bible does…
Commandments · PRECEPTS OF PAUL. EXPLICITLY STATED OR IMPLIED IN DIDACTIC EPISTLES — PRECEPTS OF PAUL. EXPLICITLY STATED OR IMPLIED IN DIDACTIC EPISTLES
Conduct, Christian · Following after that which is good — Following after that which is good
Malice · 4:31; — 4:31;
Meekness · General scriptures concerning — General scriptures concerning
Religion · TRUE — TRUE
Retaliation · General scriptures concerning — General scriptures concerning
Revenge · Forbid — Forbid
Dictionary: Easton's (1897) and Smith's (1863), public domain. Topics: Nave's Topical Bible (1896) and Torrey's Topical Textbook (1897), public domain. Both as parsed by NEUU (CC BY 4.0).
1 Thessalonians 5:15-22
15. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men
15. Videte, ne quis malum pro malo cuiquam reddat: sed semper benignitatem sectamini, et mutuam inter vos, et in omnes.
16. Rejoice evermore.
16. Semper gaudete.
17. Pray without ceasing.
17. Indesinenter orate.
18. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
18. In omnibus gratias agite: haec enim Dei voluntas in Christo Iesu erga vos.
19. Quench not the Spirit.
19. Spiritum ne extinguatis.
20. Despise not prophesyings.
20. Prophetias ne contemnatis.
21. Prove all things: hold fast that…
Jesus and the apostles warned against retaliation (Matt 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-36; Rom 12:17-21; 1 Pet 3:9). The Roman author Seneca, by contrast, considered revenge legitimate and necessary as a way of restoring social honor lost because of ill treatment from others. Paul calls Christians to do good—both to members of the church (each other) and to those outside the Christian community (to all people), including their persecutors (1 Thes 2:14; see 3:12; Gal 6:10).
