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Scripture Story Sketch Notes · Romans 12; Romans 16:1–22

Overcome Evil
with Good

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

A letter written in Corinth, carried by Phebe, read aloud in a house in Rome. Inside: how to love without pretending, weep with those who weep, and feed an enemy, the way Jesus did.

Open the letter ↓ Read Romans 12 first
Hand-drawn doodle map following Paul’s letter: a scribe writing by lamplight in Corinth, a woman carrying the letter to a ship, a house church in Rome hearing it read, a person kneeling with open hands, Jesus among people sharing their gifts, neighbors weeping and rejoicing together, a person offering bread and water to an unkind neighbor, and a peaceful street with a dove.

Before you begin

The story in brief

While staying in Corinth, Paul dictated a letter to the Saints in Rome, a city he had not yet visited. A scribe named Tertius wrote it down, and a trusted sister named Phebe likely carried it across the sea, where it was read aloud to small congregations meeting in homes.

In chapter 12, Paul pleads “by the mercies of God” that the Saints offer themselves as a living sacrifice and be transformed. He reminds them that they are one body with differing gifts, and then gives counsel that echoes the Savior’s Sermon on the Mount: love without pretending, bless those who persecute you, rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, never repay evil for evil, leave vengeance to the Lord, and feed a hungry enemy. “Be not overcome of evil,” he ends, “but overcome evil with good.”

Who’s who

  • Paul: an Apostle writing from Corinth
  • Tertius: the scribe who wrote the letter
  • Phebe: a servant of the Church at Cenchrea
  • The Saints in Rome: Jewish and Gentile members meeting in homes

Where and when

Written in Corinth, Greece, and read in house churches in Rome.

Watch for the Savior

Watch how every piece of Paul’s counsel matches the way Jesus treated people.

Read it yourself: Romans 12

Part 1 of 7

The letter, mapped

Eight stops from Corinth to a peaceful street in Rome. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.

    Part 2 of 7

    The story, plainly

    Four scenes: the letter, the house church, the enemy and the neighbors. Look for the Savior in each one.

    Read it plainly

    The words that trip people up

    Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1

    1. Romans 12:1 “your ”
    2. Romans 12:9 “without ”
    3. Romans 12:16 “ to men of low estate”
    4. Romans 12:17 “ to no man evil for evil”
    5. Romans 12:19 “give place unto ”

    Part 3 of 7

    Look closer

    Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from prophets or Church resources. Each card says which.

    0 of 9 turned

    Part 4 of 7

    Where are you?

    Hurt, holding a grudge, going against the crowd, or ready to do good. Which feels most like you right now?

    Try it

    Evil meets good

    Each card shows something unkind that could happen. Tap it to see how Paul, and the Savior, say to answer it.

    “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

    Part 5 of 7

    Their world, their words

    A little background helps us see how this letter reached Rome. Outside sources are labeled.

    Church resource · Student manual

    A scribe named Tertius

    The student manual: “the scribe who had written the epistle under Paul’s direction inserted his own greeting.”7

    Paul dictated; Tertius wrote.

    Church resource · Student manual

    Phebe

    The student manual: Phebe “was evidently the messenger who carried Paul’s epistle to the Saints in Rome.”7

    A trusted sister of the Church.

    Church resource · Student manual

    Like the Sermon on the Mount

    “Much as the Savior did in the Sermon on the Mount … Paul provided counsel to Church members.”7

    Paul echoes Jesus.

    Church resource · Student manual

    Your body, consecrated

    Elder D. Todd Christofferson, quoted in the student manual: “We should consecrate its powers to serve and further the work of Christ.”7

    A living sacrifice serves.

    Word study · Greek

    nikaō νικάω · “overcome” (Romans 12:21)

    Bible Hub: “To conquer, to overcome, to prevail, to gain victory.”9 Outside · lexicon

    Good doesn’t just survive evil. It wins.1

    Word study · Greek

    anthrax ἄνθραξ · “coals” (Romans 12:20)

    Bible Hub: “Coal, burning coal, charcoal.”8 Outside · lexicon

    Paul quoted Proverbs Romans 25:21–22. The coals are kindness, not punishment.1

    What the text does not say

    The story does not say we must stay in harmful situations. Paul wrote, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you.” We do our part and leave the rest to the Lord.1

    Part 6 of 7

    Look to Him

    Paul’s counsel sounds like the Sermon on the Mount, because it is the Savior’s way.

    Paul’s plea: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God.”

    Romans 12:11
    “Because we all depend on the mercy of God, how can we deny to others any measure of the grace we so desperately desire for ourselves?”
    President Dieter F. Uchtdorf5
    “Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.”
    President Dieter F. Uchtdorf5
    “As you continue to center your mind and heart in Him, He will help you have a rich and full life no matter what happens in the world around you.”
    Elder Richard G. Scott6

    Jesus

    Love your enemies

    “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Matthew 5:44

    Jesus on the cross

    Forgive them

    “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

    Part 7 of 7

    Seek Him today

    A question to ask in prayer

    Who is my “enemy” this week? Romans 12:20

    Think of someone who is hard to love right now. Ask Heavenly Father for one way to offer them “bread” or “drink,” a small kindness, and do it.

    Try it today

    One step each day. It saves on this device, one day at a time.

    0 of 7 today

    This week:0 of 7 days

    A quiet moment

    “Overcome evil with good.”

    Read Romans 12:14–21 slowly. Then think of the Savior on the cross saying, “Father, forgive them,” and ask Him to help you forgive. Romans 12:14–21

    A verse to hold

    Talk about it

    1. What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice”?
    2. How can we weep with someone who is sad?
    3. Why would Paul tell us to feed an enemy?
    4. When has Jesus shown kindness to people who were unkind to Him?
    Open

    For adults and deeper study

    Go deeper

    Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
    First Presidency

    President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Merciful Obtain Mercy” (2012)

    Judging, grudges and the two-word sermon, with Paul’s counsel to feed our enemies.5

    Read the talk →
    Apostle

    Elder Richard G. Scott, “How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil” (2004)

    Centering our hearts in Christ so evil does not overcome us.6

    Read the talk →
    Church resource

    New Testament Student Manual: Romans 9–16

    A living sacrifice, love without hypocrisy, Phebe, Tertius and the Saints in Rome.7

    Read the chapter →
    Scripture

    Matthew 5:38–48

    The Savior’s own teaching on loving enemies, which Paul echoes.4

    Read Matthew 5 →
    To ponder

    Harder questions

    • Why does Paul begin with “the mercies of God” before telling us how to treat others?
    • How is weeping with someone different from fixing their problem?
    • When have you seen good overcome evil?

    Sources

    Every quotation, gloss, and piece of background on this page is listed here: scripture first, then Church sources, then outside scholarship (labeled).

    Scripture

    1. Romans 12: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
    2. Romans 16:1–22: Phebe, the house church and Tertius.
    3. Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
    4. Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies.”

    Church leaders and Church resources

    1. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Merciful Obtain Mercy”, general conference, April 2012.
    2. Elder Richard G. Scott, “How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil”, general conference, April 2004.
    3. New Testament Student Manual, “Romans 9–16”, Gospel Library. Includes Elder D. Todd Christofferson and President Russell M. Nelson.

    Outside sources (labeled on the page)

    1. Strong’s 440, anthrax, Bible Hub lexicon.
    2. Strong’s 3528, nikaō, Bible Hub lexicon.

    Quotations checked against the linked pages on October 10, 2026. Scripture is quoted from the King James Version as published in the Gospel Library.

    “Overcome evil with good”

    The Savior answered every wrong with love. He will help you do the same. Romans 12:21

    Back to this week: August 9–15 Earlier: The Olive Tree and the Grafting Next story: The Temple of God All New Testament Story Sketch Notes
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    Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.

    See the printable · $3.99All New Testament sketch notes

    Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The story is told in Romans 12 and 16; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.