What does 1 Thessalonians say about repaying evil for evil?

Paul says, “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). Instead, he says to pursue doing good to one another and to everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:15).

Passage context

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14–15 Paul gives a compact set of community instructions aimed at different kinds of people and situations. Some need firm correction, others need reassurance, and others need practical help. Over all of this, the church is to practice steady patience. These verses come near the close of the letter where Paul stacks short, direct instructions for shared life. Just before this, he addresses how members should relate to leaders and how to keep peace among themselves (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13).

Why it matters

Paul gives the church a simple set of shared-life duties: correct disruptive behavior, lift up the discouraged, hold up those who cannot carry their load, and keep steady patience with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14–15).

Read carefully

A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.

Keep reading

Start with 1 Thessalonians 5:15, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.