Distinguishing Between Self-Defense and Revenge in Christian Ethics
Christian ethics distinguishes between self-defense and revenge by emphasizing that while self-defense can be a legitimate act to protect life, revenge is explicitly forbidden and reserved for God alone [1, 4]. The Bible consistently portrays revenge as contrary to a Christian spirit, stemming from a spiteful heart, and something to be avoided in favor of love, forbearance, and blessing those who cause harm [1].
The concept of revenge is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament states, "Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord'" (Romans 12:19, quoting Deuteronomy 32:35) [4, 7, 9]. This principle is echoed in other passages, such as Leviticus 19:18, which commands, "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself" [1]. Sirach 28:1 warns that "He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance" [6]. John Gill, in his commentary on Deuteronomy 32:35, emphasizes that vengeance belongs exclusively to God, not to individuals, though magistrates, acting in a public capacity, may execute wrath on wrongdoers as God's representatives [9]. Calvin also notes that Christ will be a "most strict avenger of the injuries which the wicked inflict upon us," indicating that divine vengeance is a certainty [8]. This divine prerogative means that believers are called to "give place to wrath" rather than seeking personal retribution [1].
In contrast, self-defense, while not explicitly detailed as a doctrine, is implicitly understood within the broader framework of protecting life and justice. The principle of jus talionis (an eye for an eye) in the Old Testament, as seen in Exodus 21:12-13, laid down a foundation for punishment corresponding to the crime, particularly in cases of injury or death [10]. This principle, while often misunderstood as a call for personal revenge, was primarily a legal standard for judicial punishment, ensuring that penalties were proportionate to the offense [10]. While the New Testament does not provide a specific code of laws for punishment, it upholds the general principles of good government and the distinction between right and wrong, which punishment serves to maintain [5].
The teachings of Jesus and the apostles strongly caution against retaliation. Matthew 5:38-41 and Luke 6:27-36, for instance, call for turning the other cheek and loving enemies, which stands in direct opposition to the spirit of revenge [1, 11]. Paul further reinforces this in 1 Thessalonians 5:15, urging believers to "always seek to do good to one another and to everyone" [1, 11]. This call to do good extends even to persecutors, contrasting with the Roman author Seneca's view that revenge was legitimate for restoring social honor [11].
The distinction lies in the motivation and the agent of action. Revenge is driven by personal spite and a desire to inflict harm in return for harm received [1]. It is a form of selfishness, which the Bible condemns as contrary to the law of God and the example of Christ [3]. Self-denial, on the other hand, is presented as a core aspect of Christian discipleship, exemplified by Christ himself and necessary for following him [2]. While self-defense might involve protecting oneself or others from immediate harm, it is not motivated by a desire for personal retribution but by the preservation of life or the prevention of further injustice. The Christian is called to trust in God rather than seeking personal vengeance [1].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Revenge — Forbidden by our Lord -- Le 19:18; Pr 24:17,29; Mt 5:39-41; Ro 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Christ an example of forbearing -- Isa 53:7; 1Pe 2:23. Rebuked by Christ -- Lu 9:54,55. Inconsistent with Christian spirit -- Lu 9:55. Proceeds from a spiteful heart -- Eze 25:15. Instead of taking, we should Trust in God. -- Pr 20:22; Ro 12:16. Exhibit love. -- Le 19:18; Lu 6:35. Give place to wrath. -- Ro 12:19. Exercise forbearance. -- Mt 5:38-41. Bless. -- Ro 12:14. Overcome others by kindness. -- Pr 25:21,22; Ro 12:20. Keep others from taking -- 1Sa 24:10; 25:24”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Selfishness — Contrary to the law of God -- Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Jas 2:8. The example of Christ condemns -- Joh 4:34; Ro 15:3; 2Co 8:9. God hates -- Mal 1:10. Exhibited in Being lovers of ourselves. -- 2Ti 3:2. Pleasing ourselves. -- Ro 15:1. Seeking our own. -- 1Co 10:33; Php 2:21. Seeking after gain. -- Isa 56:11. Seeking undue precedence. -- Mt 20:21. Living to ourselves. -- 2Co 5:15. Neglect of the poor. -- 1Jo 3:17. Serving God for reward. -- Mal 1:10. Performing duty for reward. -- Mic 3:11. Inconsistent with Christian love -- 1Co 13:5. Inconsistent with communi”
- Romans “Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” -- Romans 12:19”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Punishment — The New Testament lays down the general principles of good government, but contains no code of laws for the punishment of offenders. Punishment proceeds on the principle that there is an eternal distinction between right and wrong, and that this distinction must be maintained for its own sake. It is not primarily intended for the reformation of criminals, nor for the purpose of deterring others from sin. These results may be gained, but crime in itself demands punishment. (See [513]MURDER; [514]THEFT.) Endless, of the impenitent and unbelieving. The reje”
- Sirach “Sirach 28:1 (DRC) — He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:28: For we know him that hath said,.... That is, God, whom the apostle and the Hebrews knew; not merely by the works of creation and providence, but by the Scriptures, which they were favoured with, and by which they were distinguished from the Gentiles, and by which they knew his being, nature, and perfections; particularly, that what he said he was able to perform, and that he was true and faithful to every word of his, and to what he has said, Deu 32:35 vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompence, saith the Lord. Vengeance belongs to God, not as to the affection,”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 72.2: materials, I leave to the disputations of persons of foolish curiosity. I am contented with holding what Paul had it in view to teach — that Christ will be a most strict avenger of the injuries which the wicked inflict upon us. The metaphor, however, of flame and fire , is abundantly common in Scripture, when the anger of God is treated of. By the angels of his power , he means those in whom he will exercise his power; for he will bring the angels with him for the purpose of displaying the glory of his kingdom. Hen”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 32:34: To me belongeth vengeance and recompense,.... Or, I will repay, or recompence, as it is quoted in Rom 12:19; and so all the three Targums, the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, here, and so Jarchi interprets it. Vengeance belongs only to a divine Person, not to an Heathen deity called Dice, or vengeance, Act 28:4; nor to Satan and his spiteful angels, nor to any of the sons of men in a private capacity; though magistrates, being in public office, and representing God, are revengers to execute wrath on them that do evil, Rom 13:4; otherwise it is peculiar to”
- Exodus (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Exodus 21:12: Still higher than personal liberty, however, is life itself, the right of existence and personality; and the infliction of injury upon this was not only prohibited, but to be followed by punishment corresponding to the crime. The principle of retribution, jus talionis, which is the only one that embodies the idea of justice, lies at the foundation of these threats. Exo 21:12-13 A death-blow was to be punished with death (cf. Gen 9:6; Lev 24:17). "He that smiteth a man and (so that) he die (whether on the spot or directly afterwards did not matter), he shall be”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 5:15: 5:15 Jesus and the apostles warned against retaliation (Matt 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-36; Rom 12:17-21; 1 Pet 3:9). The Roman author Seneca, by contrast, considered revenge legitimate and necessary as a way of restoring social honor lost because of ill treatment from others. Paul calls Christians to do good—both to members of the church (each other) and to those outside the Christian community (to all people), including their persecutors (1 Thes 2:14; see 3:12; Gal 6:10).”