The wrongful twisting of Romans 12:18c, inferring Christians are to “live peaceable with all men”

Some of the most misused, misapplied, misquoted or twisted Scriptures are Matthew 7:1, Matthew 18:20, John 3:16, John 8:7, and either Matthew 11:19 or Luke 7:34. But via sloppy hermeneutics, Romans 12:18c is increasingly being used out of context. 

Romans 12:18c says “live peaceably with all men.”

Compromisers that misquote this partial verse want us to believe that Christians are commanded to “live peaceable with all men.” But that is a false teaching. 

Their intent is to either persuade us from obeying the Lord’s command to engage in apologetics (1 Pet 3:15) and to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3). Or to silence sheepdogs, or watchmen on the wall, or to tame the lions, or dodge discernment.  

Sure, the Christian’s aim should be a peacemaker. But that’s not a one size fits all shotgun blast with bird shot. We must utilize the disciplines of target acquisition and shot placement when applying this “live peaceably with all men” partial verse.

We must walk circumspectly and maintain peace when there’s no serious compromise or tolerance of sin. 

We cannot be peaceable with the lost world. But as peacemakers (Matt 5:9), we can offer to them the Prince of Peace (Ish 9:6).

We cannot be peaceable with false doctrine, false teachers, false teachings, apostates, egalitarianism, feminism, heretics, and/or false prophets (aka prophets).

We cannot be peaceable with sinister people groups. 

We cannot be peaceable with an enemy of God, a child of wrath, a son of perdition (as I once was), or reprobates. 

We cannot be peaceable with what or whom God hates (Prov 6:16-19, 13:5, Psalm 5:5, 11:5, 61:8, Rom 9:13, Rev 2:6). 

We cannot be peaceable without behaving like Christians, according to the Scriptures.

Though Jesus is the Prince of Peace, for God’s elect, He brings much division amongst the world. Jesus said in Matthew 10:34-39,

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Back to the partial verse in question – Romans 12:18c.

Though this article is only a preliminary examination, let’s look at the entire verse 18.

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

This verse is conditional. Paul said, “if it is possible.” We can only foster a Biblical peace “if” it is Biblically possible. 

God commands true believers to not be friends with the world (James 4:4-5, 1 John 2:15-17).

For context and clarity, let’s back up to verses 1-2 of this same chapter. 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Our peaceableness in vs 18 must be without being conformed to this world while being acceptable to God, and it must be accompanied by a transformed and renewed mind (vs 1&2). And part of a renewed mind is a changed mind (metanoia). And this is a reasonable request because God is never unreasonable. 

For context and more clarity, let’s look at verse 9 of this same chapter.

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”

We can only be peaceable (Biblically) when our love is Biblical and without hypocrisy. For a description of Biblical love read Ephesians 5:1-21.

As Voddie Baucham said, “If you can’t say Amen, you oughta say ouch!”

And verse 9 also says we’re to hate, even abhor evil, and cling to what is good as we strive to be peaceable. But peaceable only with those that it’s Biblically possible to be peaceable with. 

Yes, we must have a Christian love for the brethren, and a benevolent love for our neighbors. But we ought to hate as God hates (Psalm 26:5; 119:128; 139:21-22).

“I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies” (Psalm 139:21-22).

In closing.

We’ve all fallen short in using a Bible verse out of context. But when repeat offenders knowingly continue doing so, we need to treat them as Registered Text Offenders.

I don’t want to be like the postmodern peaceniks with a sloppy agapé and greasy grace. I’d rather emulate Christ and old dead men. 

Speaking of old dead men. I encourage you to read “The Chocolate Soldier” or “Heroism – The Lost Chord of Christianity,” by C.T. Studd. 

Oh Lord, don’t let me be a chocolate Christian. I don’t want a comfortable life, or my best life now. I don’t want peace with those that I should not. Make more soldiers, put us in battle, and give us more boldness, zeal, and knowledge. 

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