Vengeance v. Reproof: Mathew 5 Brief Audio

Daily Mail: Over Syria

Notes from audio

At church today the pastor spoke on Matthew 5 38:42

New American Standard Version Matthew 5:38-42

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your [a]shirt, let him have your [b]coat also.
41 Whoever [c]forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Footnotes: Matthew 5:40

Lit tunic; i.e. a garment worn next to the body

Matthew 5:40

Lit cloak; i.e. an outer garment Matthew 5:41

Lit will force

I agree with his basic argument that Jesus is forbidding vengeance for self, revenge for self, but this does not cancel out the need for a) legal justice b) divine justice

I would add that

Legal justice belongs to the authorities (Romans 13, 2 Peter 2).

Divine justice eventually occurs (2 Peter 5, Revelation 20, 2 Corinthians 5, Romans 12).

However, although a Christian and follower of the Biblical God is not sanctioned to seek vengeance for self, this does not prohibit standing for others and standing for concepts, principle and truth.

2 Timothy 3 has the concept and theology of Scripture being profitable for reproof, therefore one can reproof others, Biblically.

Jesus took Biblical and theological stands throughout the Gospels. To the Hebrew religious teachers, to his own disciples and to whomever God the Father willed.

The Apostle Paul stood up to the Apostle Peter in Galatians 2.

Paul defended his Apostleship in his letters, such as in, for example 2 Corinthians, also notably, 1 Corinthians and Galatians.

ELLISON, H.L. (1986) ‘Matthew’, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.

FRANCE, R.T. (1985) Matthew, Grand Rapids, IVP, Eerdmans.