What Does Romans 12:21 Mean in the King James?

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The same verb turns in the verse: evil may overcome you, but good is the means by which you overcome evil.

THE MEANING

Evil is real, but it does not have to set the terms of your response. The verse holds the struggle in two directions: evil can overpower you, or you can overcome evil through good. Good is an active answer that does not take on evil’s shape.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that evil can only be stopped by answering it in kind.

THE ROOT

νικάω

nikaō to conquer

GROWS FROM

νικ-

nik-

Conquest, victory, prevailing

The verse uses the same verb on both sides: first evil acts upon you, then you act against evil. The shift is from being overcome to overcoming, with good as the means of that victory.

ALSO GROWS

nikē: Victory

νίκη

This noun shares the conquest sense of the verb and makes clear that the verse describes a contest with a possible change of outcome.

nikētēs: One who conquers

νικητής

This related word names the agent of victory; here, the verse shifts the reader from receiving evil’s force to overcoming evil through good.

THE PATTERN

Good answers hostility with care and blessing, breaking evil’s hold without repeating its harm.

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

Proverbs 25:21 · KJVCare for an enemy answers hostility with provision rather than returning harm.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Romans 12:20 · KJVThe good given to an enemy interrupts the expected cycle of retaliation.

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:9 · KJVBlessing in response to injury refuses to let evil dictate the next action.

THE THREAD

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:4 · KJV

The Greek verb ⁨νικάω⁩ (nikaō, to overcome or conquer) also appears here, twice. Both verses picture overcoming as a change in what prevails: Romans names good as the means against evil, while this verse speaks of victory over the world.

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