SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:18
Si se puede hacer, cuanto es posible en vosotros, tened paz con todos los hombres.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Romans 12:18
Verse 18. If it be possible] To live in a state of peace with one's neighbours, friends, and even family, is often very difficult. But the man who loves God must labour after this, for it is indispensably necessary even for his own sake. A man cannot have broils and misunderstandings with others, without having his own peace very materially disturbed: he must, to be happy, be at peace with all men, whether they will be at peace with him or not. The apostle knew that it would be difficult to get into and maintain such a state of peace, and this his own words amply prove: And if it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably. Though it be but barely possible, labour after it.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably , etc..] Or be at peace, seek after peace, pursue it, and cultivate it: with all men ; with those that we are immediately concerned with, in a natural relation; so husbands should live peaceably with their wives, and wives with their husbands; parents with their children, and children with their parents; masters with their servants, and servants with their masters; and one brother, relation, and friend, with another: and so with all we are concerned with in a spiritual relation, as members of Christ, and in the same church state; such should be at peace among themselves, ( Thessalonians 5:13); peace should rule in their hearts, ( Colossians 3:15), and they should study to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace, ( Ephesians 4:3): yea, with all we are concerned in a civil sense; saints should live peaceably in the neighbourhood, towns, cities, and countries, where they dwell, and show themselves to be the quiet in the land; should pray for the peace of the place where they are; and do all that in them lies to promote it, by living themselves peaceably and quietly, in all godliness and honesty; yea, they should live peaceably with their very enemies, if it be possible; which is rightly put, for there are some persons of such tempers and dispositions, that it is impossible to live peaceably with; for when others are for peace, they are for war; and in some cases it is not only impracticable, but would be unlawful; as when it cannot be done consistent with holiness of life and conversation, with the edification of others, the truths of the Gospel, the interest of religion, and the glory of God; these are things that are never to be sacrificed for the sake of peace with men: the apostle adds another limitation of this rule, as much as lieth in you; for more than this is not required of us; nothing should be wanting on our parts; every step should be taken to cultivate and maintain peace; the blame should lie wholly on the other side; it becomes the saints to live peaceably themselves, if others will not with them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17-21 - Since men became enemies to God, they have been very ready to be enemies one to another. And those that embrace religion, must expect to meet with enemies in a world whose smiles seldom agree with Christ's Recompense to no man evil for evil. That is a brutish recompence befitting only animals, which are not conscious of any being abov them, or of any existence hereafter. And not only do, but study an take care to do, that which is amiable and creditable, and recommend religion to all with whom you converse. Study the things that make for peace; if it be possible, without offending God and woundin conscience. Avenge not yourselves. This is a hard lesson to corrup nature, therefore a remedy against it is added. Give place unto wrath When a man's passion is up, and the stream is strong, let it pass off lest it be made to rage the more against us. The line of our duty i clearly marked out, and if our enemies are not melted by perseverin kindness, we are not to seek vengeance; they will be consumed by the fiery wrath of that God to whom vengeance belongeth. The last vers suggests what is not easily understood by the world; that in all strif and contention, those that revenge are conquered, and those tha forgive are conquerors. Be not overcome of evil. Learn to defeat il designs against you, either to change them, or to preserve your ow peace. He that has this rule over his spirit, is better than the mighty. God's children may be asked whether it is not more sweet unt them than all earthly good, that God so enables them by his Spirit thus to feel and act __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
ει 1487 COND δυνατον 1415 A-NSN το 3588 T-NSN εξ 1537 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP μετα 3326 PREP παντων 3956 A-GPM ανθρωπων 444 N-GPM ειρηνευοντες 1514 5723 V-PAP-NPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
18. If it be possible. Not if you can, but if others will allow. The phrase is explained by as much as lieth in you (to ex umwn), lit., as to that which proceeds from you, or depends on you. "All your part is to be peace" (Alford).
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:18 {As much as in you lieth} (to ex humwn). Accusative of general reference, "so far as what proceeds from you" ("the from you part"). See to kat' eme in #1:15. this phrase explains "if it be possible" (ei dunaton). "All _your_ part is to be peace" (Alford). For "be at peace" (eirneuontes) see #2Co 13:11.
