This is the second installment on this topic adapted from “The Cross of Christ,” by John R. W. Stott 
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9 NIV)
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. (Romans 12:17 ESV)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21 NIV)
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good…They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. (Romans 13:4 NIV)
It appears that these verses clearly define what our Christian attitude to evil should be:
1) Evil is to be hated. God hates evil because his love is holy love; we must hate it too.
2) Evil is not to be repaid. Revenge and retaliation are absolutely forbidden to the people of God. Instead we are to do what is right.
3) Evil is to be overcome. Hating evil is one thing; refusing to repay it is still another. It is still better to overcome/conquer it. A few verses prior to verse 21, namely verse 14, Paul wrote “Bless those who persecute you.” In verse 20 he writes, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him.” Clear echoes of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This is how evil is conquered. The supreme example of this is the cross!
4) Evil is to be punished. Stott points out if we stop with the first three we will be very much out of balance. In these passages and their context we are instructed to not avenge ourselves, God will do that. We are told to NOT repay anyone evil for evil; God will repay. Vengeance and retaliation is God’s prerogative, not ours.
How does God punish evil? …next time.
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