Revenge
“Vengeance, vindication”
Summary
Revenge is the desire to retaliate for wrongs suffered, which Scripture reserves for God alone while commanding believers to overcome evil with good.
☩God's Prerogative
Vengeance belongs to God, not man. 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.' The Mosaic law restrained private revenge by establishing cities of refuge and regulated judicial punishment; the 'eye for an eye' principle limited retaliation to proportional justice administered by proper authorities. Even this was a concession to human hardness, not the ideal.
☩Jesus' Teaching
Jesus explicitly forbade personal revenge, calling His followers to a higher standard. 'Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil.' Instead, believers are to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and love their enemies. This reflects God's character, who sends rain on just and unjust alike.
☩Overcoming Evil
Paul summarizes the Christian response to wrongs suffered: 'Recompense to no man evil for evil .... Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.' Rather than seeking revenge, believers are to leave room for God's wrath, feed their hungry enemies, and heap coals of fire on their heads through kindness. This approach breaks the cycle of retaliation and opens possibility for reconciliation.
Related Verses25 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Revenge," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Revenge; Revenger," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Revenge," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).