“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

​​–Romans 12:19

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Annotation: Paul teaches that vengeance belongs to God, not us. We are called to trust God to handle justice instead of responding in anger.

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Note: This verse encourages believers to relinquish their desire for revenge and let God handle situations of injustice.

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In Romans 12:19, the Apostle Paul advises Christians not to seek revenge or take matters into their own hands when wronged. Instead, he encourages believers to trust in God's justice.
 

Here’s a breakdown of the meaning:

1. "Do not take revenge, my dear friends": Paul is urging Christians not to retaliate or seek vengeance when they have been wronged. Instead of responding in anger or with harmful actions, they are to leave judgment to God.
    

2. "Leave room for God's wrath": This suggests that God is the ultimate judge and will deal with wrongdoers in His time. Believers are to trust in His justice, rather than taking matters into their own hands. God's wrath here refers to His righteous judgment against sin.
    

3. "For it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord": This quotation is from Deuteronomy 32:35, where God declares that vengeance belongs to Him. Paul is reminding believers that God, who is perfectly just, will deal with evil according to His will and timing.
    

In essence, this passage teaches Christians to surrender their desire for personal revenge and trust that God will bring justice. This approach fosters peace, avoiding the cycle of retribution, and honors God's sovereignty. It aligns with the broader biblical teaching on loving your enemies and forgiving those who harm you, as seen in other parts of Scripture like Matthew 5:38-48.​

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Additional Information:

Read the full chapter and find more resources at biblegateway.com (external site)>>

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