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Romans 12:14,17
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not…

Leviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: Iam the LORD.

1 Samuel 25:26,33
Now therefore, my lord,as the LORD liveth, andas thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming toshed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal…

give.

Matthew 5:39
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Luke 6:27-29
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, …

Luke 9:55,56
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of…

Vengeance.

Romans 13:4
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger toexecute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Deuteronomy 32:35,43
To mebelongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide indue time: for the day of their calamityis at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste…

Psalm 94:1-3
O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself…

but leave room for God’s wrath
This part of the verse suggests that believers should trust in God's justice rather than taking matters into their own hands. The concept of divine wrath is consistent throughout the Old and New Testaments, where God is portrayed as the ultimate judge who will right all wrongs (Deuteronomy 32:35,Nahum 1:2-3). This trust in God's timing and justice is a call to faith, recognizing that God's ways and timing are perfect, even when human understanding is limited.

For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
This quotation is fromDeuteronomy 32:35, part of the Song of Moses, which speaks of God's sovereignty and justice. By referencing this Old Testament scripture, Paul underscores the continuity of God's character and His promises. The assurance that God will repay is a comfort to believers facing persecution or injustice, reminding them that God is aware of their suffering and will act in His perfect timing. This also reflects the typology of Christ, who, though He suffered unjustly, entrusted Himself to the Father who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).

Paul gives a direct, unmistakable command: “Do not avenge yourselves.”

• This echoesLeviticus 19:18, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people.”

•Proverbs 20:22 reinforces it: “Do not say, ‘I will avenge this evil!’ Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.”

• Jesus modeled the principle at the cross (1 Peter 2:23), “When He suffered, He made no threats; instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”

The believer’s response to wrong is not retaliation but trustful obedience. The verse takes the possibility of personal revenge off the table, treating it as incompatible with life in Christ.

Paul addresses his readers with warmth: “beloved.”

• The term reminds them they are loved by God (1 John 3:1) and by their spiritual family (Romans 1:7).

• Being recipients of divine love shapes how they treat those who wound them. As children secure in the Father’s affection, they need not scramble for self-protection or vindication.

Instead of stepping into the judge’s seat, Christians “leave room” for the righteous anger of God.

•Deuteronomy 32:35 lays the foundation: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.”

•Nahum 1:2 calls the LORD “a jealous and avenging God.” His wrath is holy, never impulsive or unjust.

•1 Thessalonians 1:10 speaks of Jesus “who rescues us from the coming wrath,” underscoring that real judgment is coming and God alone administers it.

Practical outworking:

– Refuse personal retaliation.

– Trust that God sees every injustice.

– Allow His timing and method to deal with wrongs, whether in this life or at final judgment.

Paul anchors the instruction in Scripture, appealing to the unchanging written Word.

• Jesus used the same formula (Matthew 4:4), underscoring that what is written settles every matter.

• The phrase assures believers that this is not mere advice but divine mandate.

QuotingDeuteronomy 32:35 verbatim, God claims exclusive rights to vengeance.

•Psalm 94:1 calls Him “God of vengeance, shine forth!”

• By reserving vengeance for Himself, God protects His people from taking on a role they are unfit to handle.

• Knowing vengeance belongs to God frees believers to extend grace, as Joseph did to his brothers (Genesis 50:19): “Am I in the place of God?”

God not only owns vengeance; He promises action.

•2 Thessalonians 1:6, “God is just: He will repay trouble to those who trouble you.”

•Revelation 6:10 portrays martyrs crying, “How long, O Master, holy and true, until You avenge our blood?” The reply shows repayment is certain and timed perfectly.

• Because the Lord Himself will repay, believers can choose forgiveness, blessing even enemies (Romans 12:20-21), confident no evil deed escapes His accounting.

Romans 12:19 commands believers to relinquish personal revenge, resting in God’s perfect justice. Loved by the Father, we refuse self-styled payback, create space for His righteous wrath, and rely on His explicit promise: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.” Trusting this truth liberates us to overcome evil with good while God settles every score in His way and time.

Vengeance is mine; I will repay.--The form of this quotation, which differs both from the LXX. and from the Hebrew, is precisely similar to that inHebrews 10:30. This should be noted as a point of resemblance between St. Paul and the author of that Epistle, but its strength as an argument for the identity of the two is much diminished by the fact that other marked coincidences are found in the literature of this age, which seem to point to the conclusion that forms of text were current (perhaps confined to a few familiar quotations) of which no direct representations have come down to us.

Parallel Commentaries ...