Proverbs 17:13—“Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.”
This proverb addresses everyday conduct, especially within close relationships. It assumes a setting of received kindness, good freely given, and also exposes the moral disorder of responding with harm. Such ingratitude is not merely discourteous; it tears apart the fabric of faithful relationships.
At heart, this proverb reflects God’s own moral order. God Himself is the supreme giver of good, and to repay good with evil is to act contrary to His character. Scripture consistently portrays such behaviour as a mark of deep moral corruption (cf. Psalm 35:12; Romans 1:31). The warning is judicial: evil is not random but retributive. When goodness is met with evil, God permits that evil to become a persistent presence—“it shall not depart from his house.” Sin, once welcomed, it can become a resident with all its malice.
This verse speaks soberly to homes, churches, and communities. Gratitude nurtures peace; ingratitude breeds unrest. Those who habitually repay kindness with suspicion, resentment, or harm should not be surprised when relational fracture follows them. Yet for the wounded believer, this proverb also offers comfort: God sees unjust treatment and does not ignore moral wrongs.
Examine your responses to the grace received. Where God has shown you good, especially in Christ, let gratitude govern your actions, lest evil gain an unwelcome foothold in your life. Let that same gratitude shape the way you respond to others, returning kindness for kindness, and good for good, as those who live under God’s gracious rule.
