Lexical Summary ekdikos: Avenger, one who executes justice Original Word: ἔκδικος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance avenger. From ek and dike; carrying justice out, i.e. A punisher -- a (re-)venger. see GREEK ek see GREEK dike HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1558 ékdikos – someone executing a just judgment, carrying out what is right which can include administering punishment for the wicked. See 1557 (ekdikēsis). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ek and diké Definition exacting penalty from, avenging NASB Translation avenger (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1558: ἔκδικοςἔκδικος, ἔκδικον (δίκη right, justice, penalty); 1. "without law and justice (cf. Latinexlex), unjust": Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aelian n. an. 16, 5. 2. exacting penalty from (ἐκ) one; an avenger, punisher: Romans 13:4; περί τίνος, 1 Thessalonians 4:6; (Wis. 12:12; Sir. 30:6; 4 Macc. 15:26 (29); (Plutarch, de garrul. § 14, p. 509 f.); Herodian, 7, 4, 10 (5th edition, Bekker; others)). The term describes one who executes justice on behalf of another. It embraces both the idea of vindication (protecting the innocent) and punitive retribution (penalizing the guilty). Scripture never presents “ekdikos” as vindictive caprice; it is the measured, righteous answer to wrongdoing that safeguards the moral order God has established. New Testament Occurrences Romans 13:4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:6 employ the word in complementary ways. In the first, God delegates the role of “ekdikos” to legitimate civil authority; in the second, He reserves the role for Himself when moral violations transcend human courts. These two texts together form a balanced biblical doctrine of justice: earthly rulers act under divine commission, yet the Lord Himself remains the final arbiter of every transgression. Civil Authority as God’s “Ekdikos” (Romans 13:4) “For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.” 1. Divine delegation: The magistrate possesses authority not intrinsically but by appointment of God; therefore respect for human government, insofar as it upholds righteousness, is reverence for God’s order. The Lord as the Ultimate “Ekdikos” (1 Thessalonians 4:6) “...because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have already told you and solemnly warned you.” 1. Personal holiness: The context is sexual immorality; God Himself undertakes to avenge wrongs that exploit or defraud another believer. Old Testament Antecedents Although “ekdikos” is Greek, its conceptual roots appear in the Old Testament “goel” (kinsman-redeemer, Numbers 35:19) and in God’s self-revelation: “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense” (Deuteronomy 32:35). These antecedents underline continuity between the Testaments—personal vengeance is forbidden, but divinely sanctioned justice is upheld. Christological and Eschatological Dimensions 1. At the cross, Christ absorbs divine wrath, satisfying the claims of God’s justice for those who believe (Romans 3:25-26). Thus the “ekdikos” motif magnifies the gospel: justice is not set aside but fulfilled. Pastoral and Discipleship Implications • Encourage submission to lawful authority while discerning its limits (Acts 5:29). Application to Church Life and Mission 1. Church discipline mirrors God’s justice in a redemptive key (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). In sum, Strong’s Greek 1558 illuminates how Scripture unites personal ethics, civil order, and divine sovereignty under the one overarching reality that God himself—directly or through appointed agents—remains the righteous Avenger who upholds and vindicates His holy standards. Englishman's Concordance Romans 13:4 Adj-NMSGRK: διάκονός ἐστιν ἔκδικος εἰς ὀργὴν NAS: of God, an avenger who brings wrath KJV: of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath INT: a servant he is an avenger for wrath 1 Thessalonians 4:6 Adj-NMS |
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