The translation of this verse is not difficult, though it may be necessary in some languages to fill out certain elliptical elements—for example, “conquer what is evil by doing what is good.” This verse is best taken as a summary statement of what Paul has said in verses 17-20.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1973. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .