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Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.”
Paul is writing to believers in Rome, a diverse and bustling imperial capital. In this chapter, he moves from theological foundations to practical advice for Christian living within the community and in their interactions with the wider world, including those who might be hostile.
What does 'as much as it depends on you' mean for navigating deep disagreements with others?
Then — the setting
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome in the mid-first century CE (around 57-58 CE) from Corinth. The Roman church was likely composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts, and there were internal tensions and divisions. Externally, Christians faced suspicion and occasional persecution from Roman authorities and society. This instruction to 'be at peace with all men' was given in a context where believers needed guidance on how to live distinctively while navigating these complex social and political realities without unnecessarily provoking conflict.
Across the Testaments
This New Testament passage echoes a consistent theme found throughout the Old Testament, which often calls for peace and just living within the community (e.g., Psalm 34:14, Proverbs 12:20). While the Old Testament often emphasized peace within Israel, the New Testament, particularly in Paul's letters, expands this call to a broader, universal scope, encouraging believers to seek peace even with those outside their immediate community, reflecting God's impartial love. Both testaments acknowledge that peace is not always easily achieved or maintained, but it remains a divine ideal and human pursuit.
Keep thinking
Read alongside it
Jesus blesses those who work for peace, calling them children of God.
This letter encourages believers to 'seek peace, and pursue it,' even in suffering.
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