Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:To retaliate means to return like for like, especially to return evil for evil or to seek revenge. In the biblical context, retaliation often refers to the human inclination to respond to injury or offense with similar actions. The concept of retaliation is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is often contrasted with the principles of forgiveness and love.
Old Testament Perspective:The Old Testament law includes the principle of "an eye for an eye," known as lex talionis, which is found in several passages. This principle is outlined in
Exodus 21:23-25 : "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe." This law was intended to limit retaliation and ensure that the punishment was proportionate to the offense, thus preventing excessive retribution.
New Testament Teaching:In the New Testament, Jesus Christ introduces a radical departure from the principle of retaliation. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches against the practice of retaliating against those who wrong us.
Matthew 5:38-39 states, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of non-retaliation and encourages His followers to respond to evil with good.
The Apostle Paul echoes this teaching in his epistles. In
Romans 12:17-19 , Paul writes, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" Paul underscores the idea that vengeance belongs to God and that believers are called to live peaceably and leave justice in God's hands.
Practical Application:The biblical teaching on retaliation challenges believers to adopt a posture of forgiveness and love, even in the face of wrongdoing. This is further supported by Jesus' command to love one's enemies and pray for those who persecute you (
Matthew 5:44). The call to refrain from retaliation is a call to trust in God's justice and to reflect His character through acts of mercy and grace.
Related Concepts:· Forgiveness: The act of pardoning an offender, which is central to Christian ethics and is often presented as the alternative to retaliation.
· Justice: The moral principle of fairness and the administration of what is right, which is ultimately fulfilled by God.
· Love: The greatest commandment, which encompasses loving God and loving others, including one's enemies.
Conclusion:The biblical stance on retaliation is clear: believers are encouraged to resist the natural inclination to retaliate and instead to embody the principles of forgiveness, love, and trust in God's ultimate justice.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To return evil for evil. [Now seldom used except in a bad sense.]
2. (v. i.) To return like for like; specifically, to return evil for evil; as, to retaliate upon an enemy.
Greek
1556. ekdikeo -- to vindicate, to avenge... avenge. From ekdikos; to vindicate,
retaliate, punish -- a (re-)venge. see GREEK
ekdikos. (ekdikeis) -- 1 Occurrence. (ekdikesai) -- 1 Occurrence.
...Library
Twentieth Day. Not Retaliating.
... evil inflicted on yourselves.Retaliate! No such word should have a place
in the Christian's vocabulary.Retaliate! If I cherish such...
Non-Resistants.
... men to suppress every angry emotion, to forgive every injury, to revenge none; and
they ask, "Shall we forgive as individuals, andretaliate as communities?...
Introduction
... the "keenest penetration with a gift of speech that bit like the stroke of a whip."
Bounds was meek and humble, and never did we know him toretaliate upon any...
Brokenness
... no home of His own, no possessions of His own, willing to let men revile Him and
not revile again, willing to let men tread on Him and notretaliate or defend...
"A Fine, Generous Fellow. "
... He paid the bill! Same days afterwards, I fell in with him again, and, in order
toretaliate a little, invited him to go and get some refreshments with me....
Of Patience under Personal violence and Malediction.
... If I hear with too little equanimity some wanton or wicked word uttered against
me, I must of necessity either myselfretaliate the bitterness, or else I shall...
If we are Enjoined, Then, to Love Our Enemies...
... If injured, we are forbidden toretaliate, lest we become as bad ourselves: who
can suffer injury at our hands? In regard to this, recall your own experiences....
Obedience to the Moral Law.
... or ill-treatment. Not that a disposition toretaliate or revenge ourselves
is consistent with the law of God. But perfect obedience...
Matt. v. 38, 39, 40
... And thus in fact He is silently dropping seed of much self-restraint, at least
in that He commands toretaliate with just the same acts....
That There are not Two Kingdoms.
... which is incompatible with goodness (for that which is at strife is not perfectly
good), or the evil is at strife and the good does notretaliate, but is...
Thesaurus
Retaliate (1 Occurrence)... 2. (vi) To return like for like; specifically, to return evil for evil; as, to
retaliate upon an enemy. Multi-Version Concordance
Retaliate (1 Occurrence).
...Retake (2 Occurrences)
Retaliation
Requite (42 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To repay; in a good sense, to recompense; to reward;
in a bad sense, toretaliate; to return (evil) for evil; to punish....
Pay (212 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite according to
merit; to reward; to punish; to retort orretaliate upon....
Provoke (64 Occurrences)
... commonly, to incite, as a person, to action by a challenge, by taunts, or by defiance;
to exasperate; to irritate; to offend intolerably; to cause toretaliate...
Parthians (1 Occurrence)
... The conquered provinces were restored, however, by Hadrian, and the Parthians did
notretaliate until the reign of Aurelius, when they overran Syria, and in...
Resources
What does the Bible say about retaliation? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)? | GotQuestions.orgHow and when should we overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11)? | GotQuestions.orgRetaliate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
