THE PROHIBITION OF VENGEANCE

Romans 12:19-21

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   When another does us wrong, one of our first instincts is to get revenge, that is, to get even with that person.

1.    Esau wanted to kill Jacob after Jacob stole his blessing (Gen. 27:41).

2.    Joab slew Abner for killing his brother (2 Sam. 3:27).

3.    Absalom avenged his sister by taking the life of the man who raped her (2 Sam. 13:28-29).

 

B.   Most of us have never desired to kill another person who wronged us, but we may have tried to retaliate in some way, or, at least, we wished harm to come upon them.

 

C.   Today’s lesson is entitled:  “The Prohibition of Vengeance.”  The text is found in Romans 12:19-21.  We will focus our thoughts on Paul’s words recorded in this text.

 

I.             REVENGE IS RESTRAINED (Rom. 12:19a)

 

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves…

 

A.   Close association:  “Dearly beloved”

1.    Paul reminds his readers of the close association he shares with them and bases his appeal on that.

2.    Paul had never been to Rome, but he knew many of the members of that congregation (See Rom. 16:3-15).

3.    He notes that they are his “dearly beloved.”  As one’s loved by the apostle, he would never give them wrong counsel.

 

B.   Clear communication:  “Avenge not yourselves”

1.    Avenge

a.    Strong (1556):  to vindicate, retaliate, punish

b.    Thayer:  to punish a person for a thing

c.    Vine:  revenge

d.    Barnes:  “to take satisfaction for an injury by inflicting punishment on the offender”

2.    Paul exhorts his readers not to avenge themselves.

a.    Our revenge is not part of our God-given duties.

b.    Our revenge might be ill-founded.

c.    Our revenge might be taken out against the wrong person.

d.    Our revenge might involve too much punishment.

e.    Our revenge might involve us in sin.

 

II.           REQUEST FOR ROOM (Rom. 12:19b)

 

…but rather give place unto wrath…

 

A.   “But rather”: 

1.    Instead of revenge do something else instead.

2.    It is interesting that God does not leave us with no actions when we have been done wrong.

 

 

B.   Give place unto wrath

1.    The words “give place” literally mean “to make room for.”

2.    He tells the Romans to make room for wrath.

a.    This is not their personal wrath.

b.    It is the wrath of God.

3.    Instead of filling their hearts with anger, wrath, and vengeance, Paul commanded these Christians to make room in their hearts for God’s wrath to work.  They needed to step aside and let God fulfill his obligation.

 

C.   To carry out an act of hostility on another person is a burden.  The Lord asks us to lay aside that burden and give it to Him.

 

III.         REASSURANCE OF REVELATION (Rom. 12:19c)

 

…for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

 

A.   Paul was not telling these Christians to trust God’s vengeance for the first time.

 

B.   God’s being a God of vengeance is set forth numerous times in the Old Covenant.

1.    “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense…” (Deut. 32:35).

2.    “…for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries…” (Duet. 32:43).

3.    “O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself” (Pl. 94:1).

4.    “God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies” (Nah. 1:2).

 

C.   Paul was calling on his readers to display faith in God to revenge the wrongs done upon them.  “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).

 

D.   Vengeance for God is not a burden.

1.    He is a holy and just God.

2.    He will always meet out the proper amount of punishment due.

3.    He will always take vengeance on the right person who deserves His wrath.

 

IV.         RESORT TO RELIEF (Rom. 12:20a)

 

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink…

 

A.   It is interesting that God does not tell us to do nothing toward our adversaries.

 

B.   He gives us something positive to do.  We are provide them with relief.

1.    If thine enemy hunger, feed him.

2.    If he thirst, give him drink.

 

C.   Comments:

1.    This is a quotation from Proverbs 25:21-22.

2.    Jesus had made a similar affirmation in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:44).

 

…do good to them that hate you…”

 

3.    Isn’t this how God treated us when we were His enemies?  Clarke:  “…you have been God’s enemy, and yet God fed, clothed, and preserved you alive: do to your enemy as God has done to you. If your enemy be hungry, feed him; if he be thirsty, give him drink: so has God dealt with you” (e-sword).

 

V.           RESULTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (Rom. 12:20b)

 

…for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

 

A.   Our enemy often expects us to act like he does.  However, Christians refuse to act like evil people.

 

B.   Instead of evil coming upon them from us, we offer mercy and kindness.  Paul likens this to heaping coals of fire on their head.

1.    Unwarranted kindness can sting the heart of an evil person more than vengeance.

2.    NOTE:  It is possible that our goodness might lead this person to come to a penitent heart.

a.    God’s goodness can and does lead individuals to repentance (Rom. 2:4).

 

Or depisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

 

b.    Movie:  “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” 

1.    The Grinch stole all of the Christmas decorations and gifts from those in Whoville.

2.    Instead of vengeance, they arose on Christmas day, gathered in a circle, and sang.

3.    Their voices caused the small heart of the Grinch to grow and burst in repentance causing him to return their things and celebrate Christmas with them.

 

    

 

VI.         RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE REDEEMED (Rom. 12:21)

 

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

A.   The Command not to be overcome.

1.    Be not overcome of evil.

2.    Evil is of the devil.  Evil is wrong and sinful.  Evil will condemn.

3.    We do not want evil to overcome us.

We do not want evil to subdue us.

We do not want evil to have victory over us.

 

B.   The Command to overcome.

1.    We are to overcome evil with good.

2.    We should long to be the triumphant, the victorious ones.

3.    Isn’t this exactly what God did?  He overcame evil by doing good for the world through His Son.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We are asked to do two difficult things in this verse.

1.    We are to restrain our vengeance.

2.    We are to give help to those who do us wrong.

 

B.   We, however, can rest assured of one of two things.

1.    Our goodness may bring our adversary to repentance.

2.    God will take vengeance against our enemy at the proper time.  Perhaps that will be on the day of judgment.