5495 revenge, and retaliation
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5494 revenge  »  5495 revenge, and retaliation

Scripture teaches that it is wrong to strike back or to return evil for evil, whether by immediate retaliation or by taking revenge later. Justice must be done, but this must be left in the hands of God, or of the authorities ordained by God.

OT teaching about revenge

Revenge forbidden in the OT

Genesis 4:15; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35; Proverbs 20:22 See also Deuteronomy 19:5-7,11-13; Deuteronomy 23:7; Proverbs 24:29; Jeremiah 29:7

The “lex talionis” (law of exacting like for like)

Exodus 21:23-25 This was not a rule for personal revenge but to ensure that judicial punishments were neither unjust nor malicious. See also Leviticus 24:17-21; Deuteronomy 19:18-21

Personal revenge forbidden in the NT

By Jesus Christ

Matthew 5:38-45 See also Luke 6:27-36

By the apostles

Romans 12:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9 See also 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

The evil effects of revenge illustrated in the life of Samson

Judges 15:1-8,9-10,11-12

Alternatives to revenge

Avoiding the problem

Romans 12:18; 1 Peter 4:8

Evading the attack

Matthew 10:23; Luke 4:29-30

Accepting the injury

1 Corinthians 6:7; Hebrews 10:32-34

Using the law

Acts 22:25; 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 going to law

Forgiving and setting an example

Luke 23:34; Acts 7:59-60

Ashes on the head were a sign of repentance. Doing good to one's attackers may lead them to a change of heart:

Romans 12:19-21; Proverbs 25:21-22

God will avenge his people

Luke 18:7-8 See also Deuteronomy 32:43; 1 Samuel 24:12; 2 Kings 9:7; Psalm 18:47; Revelation 6:10; Revelation 19:2

See also

5359  justice
5493  retribution
5944  self-defence
6652  forgiveness
7310  avenger of blood
7346  death penalty
7438  sanctuary
8292  love
9105  last things



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