The Scriptures consistently teach believers not to take personal revenge but to leave justice to God, and even to respond to enemies with love and good. Rather than repaying harm with harm, the Bible points people away from personal retaliation and toward God’s rightful judgment.
Jesus’ teaching
Jesus addressed the impulse toward retaliation directly. In Matthew 5:38–44, he taught, “don’t resist him who is evil,” and he also commanded his followers to love their enemies. Together, these teachings move the response to wrongdoing away from personal revenge and toward a posture marked by love—even toward those who do harm.
Paul’s instruction
Paul echoes this same direction in Romans 12:17–19. He instructs believers not to answer evil with evil and not to avenge themselves. Instead of taking justice into their own hands, Paul points them toward a different response.
Romans 12:17 — “Repay no one evil for evil.”
Justice belongs to God
Alongside these commands, Scripture places final judgment in God’s hands. The teaching summarized in Romans 12:17–19 includes the principle that judgment is entrusted to God, who will repay justly. That means personal revenge is not presented as the believer’s role; justice is ultimately God’s responsibility.
What this means
- Believers are taught not to take personal revenge.
- They are taught not to repay evil for evil.
- They are taught to leave justice to God, who judges rightly.
- Jesus’ teaching includes loving enemies, not treating them as targets for retaliation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bible support personal revenge?
No. The Bible consistently teaches believers not to take personal revenge. Paul explicitly says not to avenge yourselves (Romans 12:17–19), and Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:38–44 turns people away from retaliation and toward love for enemies.
What does Romans 12:17 say?
Romans 12:17 states: “Repay no one evil for evil.” This instruction directly forbids answering wrongdoing with wrongdoing.
What did Jesus teach about responding to evil people?
In Matthew 5:38–44, Jesus taught, “don’t resist him who is evil,” and he commanded love for enemies. These teachings shift the response away from retaliation and toward love.
If believers don’t take revenge, who handles justice?
Scripture entrusts judgment to God. The teaching summarized in Romans 12:17–19 includes the idea that justice belongs to God, who will repay justly.
Is repaying evil for evil the same thing as biblical justice?
Paul’s instruction distinguishes the two: “Repay no one evil for evil” (Romans 12:17), and in the same context believers are told not to avenge themselves (Romans 12:17–19). Judgment is entrusted to God, who will repay justly, rather than being carried out as personal retaliation.