<H3>Chapter # 5  Paragraph # 3  Study # 2<BR />March 22, 2015<BR />Dayton, Texas</H3>

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1769 Translation:
<BR />15 See that none render evil for evil unto any [<i>man</i>]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [<i>men</i>].
<BR />16 Rejoice evermore.
<BR />17 Pray without ceasing.
<BR />18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
<BR />19 Quench not the Spirit.
<BR />20 Despise not prophesyings.
<BR />21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
<BR />22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1901 ASV Translation:
<BR />15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.
<BR />16 Rejoice always;
<BR />17 pray without ceasing;
<BR />18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.
<BR />19 Quench not the Spirit;
<BR />20 despise not prophesyings;
<BR />21 prove all things; hold fast that which is good;
<BR />22 abstain from every form of evil.

<ul><li>I. Paul's Insistence Upon the Pursuit of "The Good". 
	<ul><li>A. The imperative is a verb that has several nuances of meaning. 
		<ul><li>1. It can be a reference to literal, with-the-eyes, "seeing" (<b>1&nbsp;John 1:1</b>) with an implication of at least some degree of "seeing how things fit together" (a mental activity of some kind of understanding) as in <b>John 4:45</b>. 
		<li>2. It can also skip the actual "with-the-eyes-seeing" step and be used as a reference to having a certain level understanding without that first step (<b>1&nbsp;John 4:20</b>). 
		<li>3. Then it can move from the "understanding" level to the ability to "do" what that level of understanding promotes. 
		<li>4. And, then as Paul uses it now, it can actually have the meaning of "insisting upon a certain kind of activity that is inherent in the reality that, if it could be seen, it would naturally have". 
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	<li>B. The actual description of the inherent reality. 
		<ul><li>1. Its setting in this verse:  the imposition of "evil". 
			<ul><li>a.  Matthew uses the term to indicate a level of "evil" that deserves capital punishment (<b>21:41</b>) and deliberately ties this level of "evil" to the reckoning of "hopelessness" so that the denial of Hope leads to "evil" treatment of others (<b>24:48</b>). 
			<li>b. The "synoptics" all record Pilate's use of this term to question the demand of the mob that Jesus be subjected to capital punishment (<b>Matthew 27:23</b>; <b>Mark 15:14</b>; and <b>Luke 23:22</b>). 
			<li>c. Clearly, though, Paul is not necessarily referring to capital crimes in this text (the word is used of lesser "evils" as in <b>Luke 16:25</b>), though he may be.  It would certainly enhance his imperative if the setting was that particularly severe of an experience. 
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		<li>2. Its impact is upon the "response" that is to be "given back". 
			<ul><li>a. The verb "to give back", or "to render", means to return to someone what belongs to him/her.  As such, it is a legal term that claims that one "deserves" a "return" commensurate with what he/she has dished out. 
			<li>b. The restriction:  NOT "evil against evil". 
			<li>c. The exhortation:  "always pursue the good". 
				<ul><li>1. First in the family (of God) setting -- one to another. 
				<li>2. Then in the larger setting -- to all men. 
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	<li>C. At Issue:  "The Good". 
		<ul><li>1. The word is used when the focus is upon some contribution that moves a thing toward a beneficial result in the true sense of benefit ("gifts" can be "good" even though given by those who are "evil:  <b>Matthew 7:11</b>).  "The Good" edifies (<b>Ephesians 4:29</b>).  Alternatively, the word is also used when the description indicates a composition that is uncorrupted (a "good" tree that cannot produce "worthless" fruit:  <b>Matthew 7:18</b>). 
		<li>2. Always in mind is the final impact (from an eternal perspective), but without the tendency of man to make the end justify the means (<b>Romans 3:8</b>).  It can be like a painful surgery that necessarily introduces severe physical pain into the mix, but has an ultimately healthy end result. 
		<li>3. Care must be taken in our understanding by including the reality that sometimes a totally destructive thing to one person is a great good to another and the one who "does the good" is often seen as doing something horrible. 
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