1 Thessalonians 5:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Thessalonians 5:15 mean?

1 Thessalonians 5:15 tells believers not to repay anyone with evil when they are wronged, but instead to always pursue what is good for each other and for everyone. The verse urges a consistent attitude of kindness and goodness, even toward those outside the immediate community.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Thessalonica, encouraging them to live differently from the world around them. In a setting where retaliation was common, Paul instructs the church to break the cycle of harm and to seek the well-being of all people, not just fellow believers.

The Greek behind 1 Thessalonians 5:15

• "Render" (ἀποδίδωμι, apodidōmi, G591) means to give back or repay. Here, it highlights the idea of responding to someone's actions, especially when wronged.
• "Evil" (κακόν, kakon, G2556) refers to something morally wrong or harmful. Paul uses this word twice to emphasize both the harm received and the harm that should not be returned.
• "Follow" (διώκω, diōkō, G1377) is often used for "pursue" or "chase after." The word carries the sense of active, determined effort, not just passive acceptance of good.
• "All" (πᾶς, pas, G3956) broadens the command beyond the church, making clear that this attitude of goodness is meant for everyone, not just insiders.

Why 1 Thessalonians 5:15 matters

• This verse corrects the common idea that it is acceptable to "get even" when wronged, showing that Christian conduct is meant to be different from the world's standards.
• Paul’s instruction connects to the wider passage about living in peace and building each other up, showing that the Christian community is marked by positive action, not just avoiding harm.
• The emphasis on "all men" makes it clear that kindness and goodness are not limited to those we like or agree with, but are to be shown to everyone, reflecting a truly countercultural way of life.