Peaceable Living not Always Possible
H. W. Beecher. Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. The wisest men, the best men, the most thoughtful men, the men who are most studious of peace, may have contention forced upon them. Lot could not live peaceably with the inhabitants of Sodom — to his great credit. Moses could not live at peace with Egypt, when he saw his people oppressed. It would have been a shame if he could. Samuel could not live at peace when the king, despotic, arrogant, fractious, was misleading the people. David could not live at peace with Saul — Saul would not let him. The prophets could not live at peace with the idolatrous people whom they were sent to instruct and rebuke, and who would not be corrected nor reformed. Jesus could not live at peace. The most genial, and gentle, and meek, and merciful, and loving of all beings was He; and yet it was impossible that He should live at peace with His own countrymen, in His own time. Therefore you find it said, "If it be possible." In this great quarrelsome world it is not made obligatory on a man to be at peace with his fellow-men anyhow. The command begins with the implication that it is not always possible. The qualification is, "as much as lieth in you." You may be at discords; but see to it that you do not produce them. Let them be the result of other men's misconduct, and not of yours. (H. W. Beecher.) Parallel Verses KJV: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. WEB: If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.