Romans · Chapter 12
Romans 12:21 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
KJV · King James Version
"Be3528 not3361 overcome3528 of5259 evil2556, but235 overcome3528 evil2556 with1722 good18."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses not, while the WEB renders these as don. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Romans 12:21 in Romans 12
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Romans 12:21 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Romans 12. Read the full chapter →
- v.19 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”
- v.20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
- v.21 Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Book background
About the Book of Romans
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul the apostle
- Date written
- c. 57 AD
- Audience
- The Christians at Rome (whom Paul had not yet met)
- Chapters
- 16
Romans is Paul's most systematic exposition of the gospel — that all have sinned, are justified freely by faith in Christ apart from works, are united with Him in His death and resurrection, and live by the Spirit in confident assurance ("nothing can separate us from the love of God" — chapter 8). It has transformed every major Christian revival in history.
Setting: Written from Corinth on the eve of Paul's final trip to Jerusalem.
Key themes: righteousness · faith · justification · sin · gospel
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Romans 12:21
Romans 12:21 contains 10 words in 2 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Don’t be overcome by evil
DBOBE
- 2
but overcome evil with good.
BOEWG
Frequently asked
FAQ about Romans 12:21
What does Romans 12:21 say?
Romans 12:21 reads: "Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." — from the New Testament, Romans (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Romans 12:21 in?
Romans 12:21 is in the book of Romans, traditionally attributed to Paul the apostle and written around c. 57 AD. Romans is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to The Christians at Rome (whom Paul had not yet met). Best known for "the just shall live by faith" and Romans 8:28.
What is the difference between Romans 12:21 in WEB and KJV?
Romans 12:21 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Be3528 not3361 overcome3528 of5259 evil2556, but235 overcome3528 evil2556 with1722 good18.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Romans 12:21?
Romans 12:21 is 10 words in the WEB translation (55 characters), broken into 2 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 3 seconds.
How can I memorise Romans 12:21?
To memorise Romans 12:21, split it into its 2 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Romans 12:21 matter in Romans?
Romans is Paul's most systematic exposition of the gospel — that all have sinned, are justified freely by faith in Christ apart from works, are united with Him in His death and resurrection, and live by the Spirit in confident assurance ("nothing can separate us from the love of God" — chapter 8). It has transformed every major Christian revival in history. Romans 12:21 sits within this larger story — Romans as a whole emphasises righteousness, faith, justification.
How can I apply Romans 12:21 today?
Many readers use Romans 12:21 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Romans 12:21 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
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10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not pr…”
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Isaiah 40:31
“But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and no…”
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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More featured verses in Romans 12
Read full chapter →
Romans 12:2
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will…”
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Romans 12:12
“rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;”
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Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.”
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More featured verses in Romans
Browse Romans → Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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Romans 5:8
“But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
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Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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Romans 8:31
“What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
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