"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
— Romans 12:18 (NIV)
Romans 12:18 is the "as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" verse, often read when a relationship is strained. This page gives the verse, what the key words mean, where it sits in Romans 12, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about peace, Bible verses about loving your enemies, and Bible verses about forgiveness.
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The verse
The King James reads: "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
"Possible" is dynatos (G1415), able or possible. "As far as it depends on you" (KJV "as much as lieth in you") is literally "the part from you," using ek (G1537), out of or from. "Live at peace" is one Greek verb, eirēneuō (G1514), to keep peace. "Everyone" (KJV "all men") is anthrōpos (G444), people in general.
Where it sits in Romans 12
Romans 12 moves from worship to everyday love. A few verses earlier: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves" (Romans 12:10) and "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14).
The verses around 18 are about wrongs done to you. "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone" (Romans 12:17). "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath" (Romans 12:19). The chapter ends, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
What the verse is saying
Paul gives a command with two honest limits. "If it is possible" admits that peace is not always possible. "As far as it depends on you" puts the focus on your part: you cannot control how the other person responds, but you can refuse to be the reason the conflict continues.
In context, living at peace means not paying back evil, not taking revenge, and doing good to people who wrong you. It does not mean pretending nothing happened or giving up on truth. It means you stop adding fuel. Proverbs 15:1 gives a practical step: "A gentle answer turns away wrath."
Questions people ask
What does Romans 12:18 say?
In the NIV it says, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." The KJV says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."
What does "as far as it depends on you" mean?
It means you are responsible for your side of the relationship. You cannot make someone else choose peace, but you can choose not to repay evil, not to take revenge, and to keep doing good.
Does Romans 12:18 mean I have to stay in a harmful relationship?
The verse itself says "if it is possible," which admits peace is not always possible. Living at peace is about not seeking revenge and not stirring conflict; it does not require ignoring real harm or staying unsafe.
How do you live at peace with difficult people?
Romans 12:17-21 gives the pattern: don't repay evil for evil, leave revenge to God, meet needs where you can, and overcome evil with good. A gentle answer and a slow temper help in the moment.
What verses go with Romans 12:18?
Romans 12:10 (be devoted to one another), Proverbs 15:1 (a gentle answer turns away wrath), and Ephesians 4:32 (be kind and forgive) are close companions.
