Bible Strands
Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Roman congregation, embedding this command between the prohibition against repaying evil (12:17) and the prohibition against self-avenging (12:19).
The words — ἐξ ὑμῶν (ex humōn, "out of you / on your side") locates the condition of possibility squarely on the believer's own agency, not on the other party's cooperation.
The thread — Hebrews 12:14 pairs peace-pursuit with holiness as the condition for seeing the Lord; Matthew 5:9 blesses peacemakers; Romans 14:19 directs the same pursuit toward mutual edification.
Why it lands — The qualifier "if possible" does not soften the command; it acknowledges that some situations (persecution, refusal by the other party) make peace unattainable, while still making peace-seeking the default posture. The reader is asked to own the effort rather than wait for the other person to make it possible.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
- Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
- Romans 14:19 So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
- 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
- James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
- Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Mark 9:50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
- Proverbs 12:20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.
- 1 Peter 3:11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
- 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.