Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being wronged is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the human experience of injustice, betrayal, and suffering. The Bible addresses how individuals should respond to being wronged and how they should treat others to avoid committing wrongs themselves.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the experience of being wronged is often depicted in the narratives of the patriarchs, prophets, and the nation of Israel. Joseph, for example, was wronged by his brothers who sold him into slavery (
Genesis 37:28). Despite this, Joseph later forgave them, recognizing God's providential hand in his suffering: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good" (
Genesis 50:20).
The Mosaic Law provided guidelines to prevent wrongs and to ensure justice.
Leviticus 19:13 commands, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. The wages due a hired hand must not remain with you until morning" . This reflects God's concern for justice and fair treatment.
Wisdom LiteratureThe wisdom literature of the Old Testament, particularly the Psalms and Proverbs, frequently addresses the theme of being wronged. The psalmists often cry out to God for justice and deliverance from their oppressors.
Psalm 7:9 states, "Bring an end to the violence of the wicked, and establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds" .
Proverbs offers practical advice on dealing with wrongs, emphasizing patience and forgiveness.
Proverbs 19:11 notes, "A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense" .
Prophetic LiteratureThe prophets also speak to the issue of being wronged, often calling out the injustices committed by Israel and the surrounding nations.
Isaiah 1:17 exhorts, "Learn to do right; seek justice, correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow" . This highlights the biblical mandate to stand against wrongs and advocate for the vulnerable.
New Testament TeachingsIn the New Testament, Jesus' teachings and the apostolic writings further develop the response to being wronged. Jesus taught His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (
Matthew 5:44). This radical call to love and forgiveness is exemplified in Jesus' own life, particularly in His response to those who crucified Him: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (
Luke 23:34).
The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of being wronged in his epistles. In
Romans 12:19, he advises, "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 encourages believers to trust in God's justice rather than seeking personal revenge.
Christian ConductThe New Testament also emphasizes the importance of not wronging others. In
1 Thessalonians 4:6, Paul warns, "In this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will avenge all such offenses, as we have already told you and solemnly warned you" . This underscores the call to live righteously and justly in relationships with others.
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on being wronged is deeply rooted in the character of God as just and merciful. Believers are called to respond to wrongs with forgiveness and trust in God's ultimate justice, while also striving to live in a way that reflects God's righteousness and love.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Wrong.
Greek
91. adikeo -- to do wrong, act wickedly... 1), done...wrong (2), harm (4), hurt (3), injure (2), injuring (1), offended (1),
offender (1), treated unjustly (1), wrong (2), wrong...done (1),
wronged (3).
...420. anexikakos -- enduring evil
... Turner, , 321).]. Word Origin from anecho and kakos Definition enduring evil
NASB Word Usage patient whenwronged (1). patient. From...
Strong's Hebrew
816. asham -- to offend, be guilty... did wrong (1), found guilty (1), go (1), guilty (9), held guilty (3), hold them
guilty (1), incurred grievous guilt (1), suffer (1), unpunished* (1),
wronged (1
...3238. yanah -- to oppress, maltreat, perhaps suppress
... 1), mistreat (2), oppress (3), oppresses (1), oppressing (1), oppressor (2), oppressors
(1), subdue (1), thrusting (1), tyrannical (1), wrong (3),wronged (2)....
5753b. avah -- to commit iniquity, do wrong
... to commit iniquity, do wrong NASB Word Usage commits iniquity (1), committed iniquity
(4), committing iniquity (1), did wrong (1), done wrong (1),wronged (1)....
5791. avath -- to be bent or crooked
... Definition to be bent or crooked NASB Word Usage bent (1), cheat (1), crooked (1),
defraud (1), pervert (3), stoop (1), subvert (1), thwarts (1),wronged (1)....
Library
A Ruler whoWronged his People
... THE OLD TESTAMENT A RULER WHOWRONGED HIS PEOPLE. Solomon was building his
palace thirteen years before he finished it. He also built...
Meeting a Brother who had BeenWronged
... THE OLD TESTAMENT MEETING A BROTHER WHO HAD BEENWRONGED. In time Jacob became
very wealthy, and he had large flocks, slaves, and asses....
2 Cor. vii. 2, 3
... Homily XIV. 2 Cor. vii. 2, 3. 2 1 Corinthians 7:2, 3 Open your hearts to us: we
wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man....
Philemon i. 17-19
... If he hathwronged thee at all, or oweth thee aught, put that to mine account; I
Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not to thee how...
Concerning the King who Made a Reckoning with his Own Servants, to...
... The general conception of the parable is to teach us that we should be inclined
to forgive the sins committed against us by those who havewronged us, and...
A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not...
... things" it says "have been turned upside down, the human race is full of much confusion
and many are they who every day are beingwronged, insulted, subjected...
Concerning Anger.
... vengeance. For when we arewronged or think that we arewronged, we are
distressed, and there arises this mixture of desire and anger....
To Anatolius the Patrician.
... The one sidewronged, the other werewronged, but they who neither suffered nor
did the wrong share the distress of thewronged, and lament over them that so...
The Seventh Season,
... "The wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he." Now when we are thus
abused andwronged, it is hard to keep the heart from revengeful motions...
Matt. xviii. 15
... given the pain to him that had been pained, and saying, "Be reconciled to thy brother,"
[2325] and at another commanding him that had beenwronged to forgive...
Thesaurus
Wronged (22 Occurrences)...Wronged (22 Occurrences). Acts 7:24 and seeing a certain one
wronged, he defended
him, and avenged him that was being oppressed, smiting the Egyptian. (DBY RSV)
...Robbery (18 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and has notwronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge,
has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has...
Commits (39 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Ezekiel 18:7 and has notwronged any, but has restored to the debtor his
pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has...
Defrauded (6 Occurrences)
... Why not rather bewronged?... 2 Corinthians 7:2 Receive us; we havewronged no man,
we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. (KJV WBS)....
Provides (18 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and has notwronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge,
has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has...
Confession (22 Occurrences)
... (2.) An acknowledment of sins to God (Leviticus 16:21; Ezra 9:5-15; Dan. 9:3-12),
and to a neighbour whom we havewronged (James 5:16; Matthew 18:15)....
Loan (9 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and has notwronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge,
has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has...
Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:7 and has notwronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge,
has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has...
Wrong (391 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 6:7 Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have
lawsuits one with another. Why not rather bewronged?... Wewronged no one....
Aught (52 Occurrences)
... you. (ASV). Philemon 1:18 But if he hathwronged the at all, or oweth 'thee'
aught, put that to mine account; (ASV WBS). Genesis 14...
Resources
What should be the response of a Christian whose spouse has had an affair? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about apologizing? | GotQuestions.orgWhy should I forgive? | GotQuestions.orgWronged: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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