• Romans 12:17-21
    Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
    For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
    Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
     
  • 1 Peter 2:23
    who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
     
  • Matthew 5:21-22
    "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.
     
  • Matthew 5:43-45
    "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
     
  • Matthew 5:38-39
    "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
     
  • 1 Corinthians 6:7-9
    Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
     
  • 1 John 3:15
    Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Vengeance


Resources

Vengeance is Mine

Sermonette by

Christ counsels us to love our enemies in order that we may be children of God, demonstrating not only His mercy but also our sonship by being peacemakers.


The Chain Revisited

Sermonette by Jared M. Ellis

The chain originates with an unforgiving attitude, characterized by immediate anger rather than prudent discretion, which can be mitigated through empathy.


Loving Your Enemy

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Scripture speaks of helping an enemy and "heaping burning coals of fire on his head." This seems to imply revenge, yet the Hebrew idiom indicates otherwise.


Hidden Anger (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

God forbids believers to avenge themselves. Romans 12:17-19 commands them to repay no one evil for evil, to live peaceably with all as far as it depends on them, and to give place to wrath, because vengeance belongs to the Lord, who will repay. Faithful Christians do not commit dramatic acts of vigilante justice, but vengeance …


The Sixth Commandment (Part One) (1997)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Our society is becoming increasingly violent. The sixth of the Ten Commandments covers crime, capital punishment, murder, hatred, revenge and war.


Samson and the Christian (Part 4)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

After slaughtering Philistines with a donkey's jawbone, Samson prayed perhaps his first truly humble prayer, acknowledging that God had gifted him.


The Sixth Commandment

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Vengeance belongs to God alone, who has the wisdom, power, and right to take it (Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35). Man has no authority to end a human life unless God specifically commands it, so Christians may not take matters into their own hands. Instead, they must treat enemies with kindness, gentleness, and love, feeding …


Should a Christian Go To War? (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God alone has the prerogative of giving and taking life. As ambassadors of God's heavenly Kingdom, we do not take up arms on behalf of any nation on the earth.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Vengeance