Restitution
“To make complete; restoration”
Summary
Restitution in Scripture refers both to the legal requirement to restore what was stolen or damaged, and to the prophesied restoration of all things when Christ returns.
☩Legal Requirement
Mosaic law required restitution for theft and injury. A thief who stole an ox or sheep was to restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep; if the animal was found alive, double restitution was required. For fraud or breach of trust, the offender was to restore the principal plus one-fifth. Zacchaeus demonstrated genuine repentance by voluntarily offering fourfold restitution to those he had defrauded.
☩Restoration of All Things
Peter spoke of 'the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.' This refers to the promised restoration when Christ returns, bringing to completion God's redemptive plan. The prophets foretold a time when creation itself would be renewed, Israel restored, and God's kingdom established in fullness.
Related Verses15 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Restitution," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Restitution; Restoration," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Restitution," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).