“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your coat also. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.” —Matthew 5:38–42
Jesus clearly teaches that we are not to be retaliators of evil. The law of retaliation presented in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy was given to protect the innocent and to make sure that the retaliation did not go beyond the offense. The punishment was to fit the crime and not to exceed it. In Deuteronomy we read:
“You must do to him what he had intended to do to the accused. In this way you will purge evil from among you. The rest of the people will hear and become afraid to keep doing such evil among you. You must not show pity; the principle will be a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot.” —Deuteronomy 19:19–21
Jesus, however, teaches us we are not to be vengeful. We are to avoid and resist evil as is necessary for our own security, but we must not harbor a grudge, avenge ourselves, or seek to get even when wronged.
In the Old Testament, the rights of the innocent were protected by the Law, yet Jesus says the righteous need not necessarily claim their rights. Indeed, Scripture teaches us we are to repay evil with good. Paul tells us in Romans:
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” —Romans 12:17–21
Forgiveness, when wronged, demonstrates the divine miracle of grace in one’s life and points to Jesus. Forgiveness is supernatural and flows against the flesh which is desirous of retaliation. Forgiveness costs and it is marked by mercy and love—its origins are in God himself. We are never more Christlike than when we forgive when wronged. Like Jesus, we are to entrust ourselves to the One who judges justly. Christians are to bear a striking resemblance to their Master. God sees every slight against His children and it is His to make right.
Peter writes of Christ’s example:
“When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.” —1 Peter 2:23
We are to think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven. Those who have experienced the grace of God and are thankful for the forgiveness of the Lord are to be quick to forgive. If we have been privy to have heard the words of forgiveness spoken to our own hearts, we will want others to hear them too. Returning good for evil is Christlike.
“Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.” —1 Peter 3:8–9
Become more
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others. And to all these virtues add love, which is the perfect bond.” —Colossians 3:12–14
Further Reflections
“Forgiveness saves us the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits.” —Hannah More
“Be God-like, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, ‘You have been with Jesus.’” —Charles H. Spurgeon