1 Thessalonians 5:15 Meaning: Not Returning Evil, Pursuing Good
See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.
see no one evil for evil may render to any one, but always that which is good pursue ye, both to one another and to all;
See that no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;
Meaning in one sentence
What does it mean to 'see that no one returns evil for evil'? Discover the heart of this command and how to pursue good for everyone.
Context
Paul is nearing the end of his first letter to the Thessalonians, a young church planted among people who did not share their faith. These believers faced pressure and mistreatment from their own neighbours. In the final chapter, Paul gives a series of short, urgent commands meant to shape how they live together and in the world. Verse 15 stops the natural reflex to pay back hurt. But Paul does not leave them with a simple prohibition. He points them toward something better: an active, relentless pursuit of what is good, not only for one another but for every person they meet.
Key Words
Two Greek verbs carry the weight here. The first is horate, translated as “see that.” But Paul’s word means more than just glance, it means to keep watch, to pay careful attention to what is happening in your community. You are to notice when someone in your church is tempted to strike back, and to help them stop. The second verb is diōkete, “pursue” or “follow after.” This is an energetic word used elsewhere for hunting or chasing down a goal. Paul is not describing a casual preference for goodness. He is describing the way a runner strains for the finish line. And the object of this pursuit is to agathon, “the good”, not just nice feelings, but concrete actions that benefit others. The command is active, not passive. You stop paying back evil, and you start chasing down ways to do good.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have wrestled with how far this command reaches. Some believers, especially from the peace church traditions, read this as a complete prohibition of any form of retaliation or force, even through legal systems. They point to Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and see this verse as the same standard. Other Christians, including many in the Reformed and Lutheran traditions, distinguish between personal revenge and the lawful use of government authority to restrain evil, as Paul himself describes in Romans 13. Both groups agree on the heart of the verse: personal vengeance is never permitted. The disagreement lies in what counts as vengeance. Wherever you stand, the verse invites you to examine your motives and to trust God with justice.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Paul is telling us never to defend ourselves or seek protection from harm. In fact, Paul is forbidding personal vengeance, the desire to make someone suffer because they made you suffer. The same apostle who wrote this verse also appealed to his rights as a Roman citizen when he was threatened (Acts 22:25). The line is not between action and inaction; it is between the motive to harm and the motive to pursue good.
Living This Out
Think of the person who hurt you last week. Maybe a coworker took credit for your work. A friend spoke about you behind your back. A family member made a comment that stung. Your first instinct is to look for a way to make them feel the same pain. That is what Paul tells you to stop. But he does not leave you there. He says: now find one concrete way to do good to that person. Bring them coffee. Say something kind about them to someone else. Pray for them by name. Break the cycle not by gritting your teeth, but by acting. That small step is the pursuit Paul is talking about.
Main takeaway: God calls us to stop the cycle of harm by actively pursuing the good of every person, even those who have hurt us.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When someone is mean to you, it feels good to be mean back. God says instead, be extra kind. That is how you shine like Jesus.
For ages 9, 12
Imagine someone spreads a rumor about you. Your first thought might be to spread one about them. But Paul uses a strong word: “pursue” good. That means you run after ways to help even that person, like a soccer player chasing the ball. It is not easy, but it stops the fight and shows what God is like.
Questions People Ask
Does 1 Thessalonians 5:15 mean I cannot defend myself if I am attacked?
Many Christians distinguish between defending yourself from immediate harm and taking personal revenge after the fact. Self-defense is not the same as paying back evil for evil. The verse addresses the motive behind your action: are you trying to harm someone because they harmed you, or are you protecting life? Paul himself used legal protections when necessary. The heart of the command is to trust God with justice, not to make yourself vulnerable to abuse.
How can I stop wanting revenge when I have been deeply hurt?
The desire for revenge is natural, but Paul treats it as something we can unlearn with God's help. Start by telling God exactly how you feel. Then ask Him to give you a new desire to do good for that person, even if the feeling is not there yet. Obeying the command often comes before the feeling changes. Over time, the pursuit of good can reshape the heart.
Does this verse apply to my enemies outside the church, or only to other believers?
Paul specifically says “toward one another and toward all.” The command is universal. It is easier to give grace to your brothers and sisters in Christ than to someone who opposes your faith. But Paul closes the loophole. The same rule holds for the person who persecutes you, the sceptic, and the stranger. No one is left out.
What does it look like to “pursue” good for someone who keeps hurting me?
Pursuing good does not mean you pretend the hurt did not happen or stay in a dangerous situation. It means you actively look for ways to be a blessing within safe boundaries. That might be a prayer, a kind word when they least expect it, or meeting a practical need. The goal is to break the cycle of evil with concrete good, not to fix the relationship overnight.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study