Matthew 5:39 - Do Not Take Revenge For That Belongs To God.
Mat.5:39: Do Not Take Revenge For That Belongs To God.
Mat 5:39 (TEV) But now I tell you: do not take revenge on
someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him
slap your left cheek too.
DEVOTIONAL PEARL
Suffering Afflictions and Going the Second Mile
"I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you
on your right cheek, turn the other to him also" (Matthew 5:39).
This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian. In the
natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a
coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son
of God in him if he does not hit back. When you are insulted, you
must not only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to
exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature
of Jesus--it is either in you or it is not. A personal insult
becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of
the Lord Jesus.
The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not, "Do your duty,"
but is, in effect, "Do what is not your duty." It is not your duty
to go the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but Jesus said
that if we are His disciples, we will always do these things. We will
not say, "Oh well, I just can't do any more, and I've been so
misrepresented and misunderstood." Every time I insist on having my own rights,
I hurt the Son of God, while in fact I can prevent Jesus from
being hurt if I will take the blow myself. That is the real meaning of
filling "up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ"
(Colossians 1:24). A disciple realizes that it is his Lord's honor that is
at stake in his life, not his own honor.
Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never
cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet
the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is--Never look
for justice, but never cease to give it. [My Utmost for His Highest
by Oswald Chambers]
THE FOLLOWING ARE FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE DEEPER STUDY:
CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word
Study:
Mat 5:39 (KJV) 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.
Mat 5:39 (TEV) But now I tell you: do not take revenge on
someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him
slap your left cheek too.
CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:
Overview
Jesus announced blessings for citizens of His kingdom (5:1-12).
He expects citizens of His kingdom to do good deeds (vv. 13-16),
for He requires a righteousness that surpasses that of even the
zealous Pharisees (vv. 17-20). Christ looked behind the acts the Law
regulated to call for purity of heart (vv. 21-42) and that crowning
expression of kingdom righteousness: a love like the Heavenly Father's for
one's enemies (vv. 43-48). [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
5:17-48 The Fulfilled Law: Divine Perfection
Jesus gave five examples of the fulfillment of the law. He
corrected a possible misunderstanding concerning the purpose of his coming
(5:17-20). He did not come to abolish the law (5:17). But he did come to
demand perfection (cf. 5:48). Jesus had just spoken of good works
(5:16), and he, like the prophets of old, demanded the same holy
character and acts of obedience. He brought no new way of living in God's
kingdom. He simply expanded and deepened God's long-standing desire for
his creation's obedience and holiness. He started with the
Pharisees' standard of righteousness: obedience to the law. But he applied
that law not only to the external deeds that a person might do, but
also to the attitudes and thoughts in the depths of a person's heart.
Fulfilled law is no longer the law imposed upon a person from the outside,
but that which is written on the heart and becomes an integral part
of that person (cf. 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44). If the law becomes
internalized, obedience becomes instinctive and pleasant, not something a
person is forced to do. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
called his hearers to move from external obedience to an obedience
motivated by the law written upon the heart (5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44;
6:19-24).
Five examples of how the Pharisees failed to fulfill the law
were given in 5:21-28: (1) murder and anger 5:21-26; (2) adultery and
lust 5:27-32; (3) vows and simplicity (5:33-37; cf. Lev. 19:12; Num.
30:2); (4) revenge and nonresistance (Matt. 5:38-42); and (5) loving
enemies (5:43-48).
The "law of retaliation" (Exod. 21:24) was not designed to
encourage retaliation but to limit it with a view to justice (Matt. 5:38).
The Pharisees mistook this as an encouragement for revenge. The Old
Testament had taught love for one's neighbor (Lev. 19:18), and the
principle of hatred for one's enemies was a Pharisaic perversion (Matt.
5:43). Passages like Deuteronomy 23:3-4 were not excuses to hate one's
enemies but needed to be interpreted in context. Deuteronomy 23:7-8 goes
on to require the acceptance of Edomites and Egyptians. The issue
was holiness in God's assembly, not a generic excuse to hate anyone
who was offensive. The essential teaching for dealing with the
problem of enemies was reliance upon God's, not man's, justice. For
Matthew 5:40, compare 1 Corinthians 6:7. These acts of nonresistance
motivated by unselfish love would clearly represent the shining good works
that were to characterize the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:16).
God was the model for the characteristics of righteousness
spoken of in the Sermon on the Mount. Believers were being asked to do
what was humanly impossible. They were to do what God did: love their
enemies--the very thing God did for mankind through the incarnation of his
Son.... Jesus rejected the Pharisaic interpretation of the law as
superficial. He emphasized inner conformity to the spirit of the law rather
than mere outward conformity to the letter of the law. The true
requirements of the law were highlighted to convict listeners of their need
to turn to Jesus, the one true source of righteousness. [New Bible
Companion]
Six Ways To Think Like Christ
Reference/ Example It's not enough to: We must also:
5:21-22/ Murder Avoid killing Avoid anger and
hatred
5:23-26/ Offerings Offer regular gifts Have right relationships
with God and others
5:27-30/ Adultery Avoid adultery Keep our hearts from
lusting and be faithful
5:31-32/ Divorce Be legally married Live out our marriage
commitments
5:33-37/ Oaths Make an oath Avoid casual &
irresponsible commitments to God
5:38-47/ Revenge Seek justice for self Show mercy and love to
others
[Life Application SB]
We are, more often than not, guilty of avoiding the extreme sins
while regularly committing the types of sins with which Jesus was most
concerned. In these six examples, our real struggle with sin is exposed.
Jesus pointed out what kind of lives would be required of his
followers. Are you living as Jesus taught? [Life Application SB]
SECTION HEADINGS
Personal Relationships
Jesus teaches about retaliation (5:38-42)
Teaching about Revenge
Don't Fight Back
Love Your Enemies (5:38-48)
CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.
Exodus 21:23-25 (KJV) And if any mischief follow, then thou
shalt give life for life, [24] Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for
hand, foot for foot, [25] Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe
for stripe.
Deut. 32:35 (KJV) To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence;
their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is
at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Psalm 94:1 (KJV) O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O
God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.
Romans 12:19 (KJV) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but
rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I
will repay, saith the Lord.
Hebrews 10:30 (KJV) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance
belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord
shall judge his people.
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
SETTING
Occasions of irritation to the Jews were constantly arising from
their contact with the Roman soldiery. Detachments of troops were
stationed at different points throughout Judea and Galilee, and their
presence reminded the people of their own degradation as a nation. With
bitterness of soul they heard the loud blast of the trumpet and saw the
troops forming around the standard of Rome and bowing in homage to this
symbol of her power. Collisions between the people and the soldiers
were frequent, and these inflamed the popular hatred. Often as some
Roman official with his guard of soldiers hastened from point to
point, he would seize upon the Jewish peasants who were laboring in the
field and compel them to carry burdens up the mountainside or render
any other service that might be needed. This was in accordance with
the Roman law and custom, and resistance to such demands only called
forth taunts and cruelty. Every day deepened in the hearts of the
people the longing to cast off the Roman yoke. Especially among the
bold, rough-handed Galileans the spirit of insurrection was rife.
Capernaum, being a border town, was the seat of a Roman garrison, and even
while Jesus was teaching, the sight of a company of soldiers recalled
to His hearers the bitter thought of Israel's humiliation. The
people looked eagerly of Christ, hoping that He was the One who was to
humble the pride of Rome.
With sadness Jesus looks into the upturned faces before Him. He
notes the spirit of revenge that has stamped its evil imprint upon
them, and knows how bitterly the people long for power to crush their
oppressors. Mournfully He bids them, "Resist not him that is evil: but
whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
These words were but a reiteration of the teaching of the Old
Testament. It is true that the rule, "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth"
(Leviticus 24:20), was a provision in the laws given through Moses; but it
was a civil statute. None were justified in avenging themselves, for
they had the words of the Lord: "Say not thou, I will recompense
evil." "Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me." "Rejoice
not when thine enemy falleth." "If he that hateth thee be hungry,
give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to
drink." Proverbs 20:22; 24:29, 17; 25:21, 22, R.V., margin.
The whole earthly life of Jesus was a manifestation of this
principle. It was to bring the bread of life to His enemies that our
Saviour left His home in heaven. Though calumny and persecution were
heaped upon Him from the cradle to the grave, they called forth from
Him only the expression of forgiving love. Through the prophet
Isaiah He says," I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to them
that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and
spitting." "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His
mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before
her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth." Isaiah 50:6;
53:7. And from the cross of Calvary there come down through the ages
His prayer for His murderers and the message of hope to the dying
thief.
The Father's presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him
but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the
world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is
imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is
aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His
presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to
resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by
our Lord's permission, and "all things" that are permitted "work
together for good to them that love God." Romans 8:28. MB69-73
The Pharisees interpreted Leviticus 19:18 as teaching that they
should love only those who love in return, and Psalm 139:19-22 and
140:9-11 as meaning that they should hate their enemies. But Jesus says
we are to love our enemies. If you love your enemies and treat them
well, you will truly show that Jesus is Lord of your life. This is
possible only for those who give themselves fully to God, because only he
can deliver people from natural selfishness. We must trust the Holy
Spirit to help us show love to those for whom we may not feel love.
[Life Application SB]
LAW OF RETALIATION
The lex talionis (law of retaliation) did provide for the ending
of feuds, but Christ showed another way to do the same (vv. 39-42)
i.e. the law of nonresistance, [Ryrie SB mod]
This law safeguarded justice by not permitting excessive
punishment. [Believer's SB]
God's purpose behind this law was an expression of mercy. The
law was given to judges and said, in effect, "Make the punishment
fit the crime." It was not a guide for personal revenge (Exodus
21:23-25; Leviticus 24:19, 20; Deut. 19:21). These laws were given to
'limit' vengeance and help the court administer punishment that was
neither too strict nor too lenient. Some people, however, were using
this phrase to justify their vendettas against others. People still
try to excuse their acts of revenge by saying, "I was just doing to
him what he did to me." [Life Application SB]
LAW OF NONRESISTANCE
"Do not resist an evil person" Matt. 5:38-42. The "eye for an
eye" principle in the Old Testament established limits on the
retribution a person might demand. If someone injured you and cost you the
sight of an eye, you could not, for instance, justify taking his life.
All you could claim was taking the sight of an eye.
Jesus now said, don't relate to others by what's "fair" at all!
Rather than trying to get back at others who harm you, do good to
them!
The passage has no direct application to the issue of pacifism.
Rather, it applies directly to Jesus' challenge of values and attitudes,
and describes the "surpassing righteousness" expected of those of us
in Jesus' kingdom. We don't demand retribution. We do good, even to
those who harm us.
The person who has learned to love even his or her enemies is a
person who has lived long in the kingdom of Christ and a person who has
known His transforming touch. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Resist not evil. That is, do not seek revenge for wrongs
suffered. Jesus here seems to refer to active hostility rather than to
passive resistance.... The Christian will not meet violence with violence.
He will "overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:21) and "heap coals of
fire" upon the head of one who wrongs him (Prov. 25:21, 22). [SDA
Commentary]
We should resist revenge in favor of love. Love chooses
forgiveness rather than revenge. When we are wronged, often our first
reaction is to get even. Instead Jesus said we should do 'good' to those
who wrong us! Our desire should not be to keep score, but to love
and forgive. This is not natural--it is supernatural. Only God can
give us the strength to love as he does. Instead of planning
vengeance, pray for those who hurt you. [Life Application SB]
Suffering Afflictions and Going the Second Mile
"I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you
on your right cheek, turn the other to him also" (Matthew 5:39).
This verse reveals the humiliation of being a Christian. In the
natural realm, if a person does not hit back, it is because he is a
coward. But in the spiritual realm, it is the very evidence of the Son
of God in him if he does not hit back. When you are insulted, you
must not only not resent it, but you must make it an opportunity to
exhibit the Son of God in your life. And you cannot imitate the nature
of Jesus--it is either in you or it is not. A personal insult
becomes an opportunity for a saint to reveal the incredible sweetness of
the Lord Jesus.
The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not, "Do your duty,"
but is, in effect, "Do what is not your duty." It is not your duty
to go the second mile, or to turn the other cheek, but Jesus said
that if we are His disciples, we will always do these things. We will
not say, "Oh well, I just can't do any more, and I've been so
misrepresented and misunderstood." Every time I insist on having my own rights,
I hurt the Son of God, while in fact I can prevent Jesus from
being hurt if I will take the blow myself. That is the real meaning of
filling "up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ"
(Colossians 1:24). A disciple realizes that it is his Lord's honor that is
at stake in his life, not his own honor.
Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never
cease to be righteous yourself. We are always looking for justice, yet
the essence of the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is--Never look
for justice, but never cease to give it. [My Utmost for His Highest
by Oswald Chambers]
Disciples should respond to evil attacks from enemies with a
non-retaliation and a non-vindictive attitude (Lk 6:29-36). God
provides the sun
and the rain for all people. Disciples should not usurp God's role
by attacking evil without God's guidance. The Christian response to
evil acts against us must rise above legalism which protects against
excess punishment. We must love our attackers and desire the best for
them. Divine love rather than self-interest must control our actions.
God's character, not human models, is the standard by which to judge
our actions.... We are not to regard persons as enemies but to love
them as people God created and as potential followers of Christ.
[Disciple SB]
The Lord seems to be speaking in hyperbolic terms to teach the
lesson of non-retaliation. Generally He commands us to have a generous
and compassionate attitude toward the needy. He makes this
application in four areas: physical attacks (v. 39), legal suits (v. 40),
government demands (v. 41), and financial requests (v. 42). [Nelson SB]
Love Your Whom? (Matt. 5:21-48)
Jesus at first seems such a demanding King.
In this portion of His Sermon on the Mount Jesus made it clear
that He expects citizens of His kingdom to do more than keep laws. He
expects us to be the kind of people who never even want to break them!
In a series of illustrations He explained that His citizens
aren't to get angry, much less strike out at another. We citizens
aren't to lust, much less commit adultery. We're not to want a divorce,
to plan to deceive, or even to want revenge when injured (vv.
21-42).
But then Jesus topped it off. Citizens of His kingdom are to
"love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (v. 44). He
explained that God is the kind of Person who "causes His sun to rise on
the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous" (v. 45). And we are to be "sons of your Father in heaven." It's
really simple. We can sum up everything Jesus asks in a single phrase.
"Just be like God."
This would be impossible if it weren't for one thing. Jesus
said, "Sons of your Father in heaven." You see, everyone in Jesus'
kingdom is also family.
Through faith in Christ we enter a unique "your Father"
relationship with God Himself. And God establishes a unique relationship with
us. In Peter's words, God shares with us "His own indestructible
heredity" (1 Peter 1:23, PH). Because God has poured His own life into us,
it's not unreasonable at all to expect us to display a family
resemblance.
I remember discovering as a teenager why I had the habit of
cocking my head to one side when I rode in the car. Sitting in the
backseat one day, I noticed that my dad held his head the same way, due
to an old injury. From childhood I had been imitating him, without
ever realizing it.
God isn't interested in the way we hold our heads. But He does
want us to watch Him intently, see how He relates to us and to
others, and so gradually become more and more like Him within.
As we live as faithful citizens of Jesus' present kingdom, this
is just what happens. We find to our amazement that we not only do
good, we are becoming good! Transformed from within by the power of
the King, we increasingly resemble our righteous and perfect God.
[The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
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