The Bible teaches that vengeance belongs exclusively to God, not to individuals. Deuteronomy 32:35 declares “Vengeance is Mine,” a principle echoed in Romans 12:19 where Paul instructs believers to leave room for God’s wrath. Scripture calls followers of Christ to love their enemies, do good to those who harm them, and overcome evil with good, as taught in Matthew 5:43–44 and 1 Peter 3:9. This approach reflects God’s perfect justice and character, while human judgment remains limited and flawed. The biblical framework provides both theological grounding and practical guidance for those maneuvering wrongs and conflicts.
Key Takeaways
- Vengeance belongs exclusively to God, not humans, as stated in Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:19.
- God alone possesses perfect justice and complete knowledge of hearts, making Him fit to judge righteously.
- Jesus commands believers to love enemies, do good to them, and pray for persecutors instead of retaliating.
- Scripture prohibits repaying evil for evil, instructing Christians to overcome evil with good and offer blessings.
- Trusting God’s promise “I will repay” ensures justice is served while believers reflect Christ’s character through forgiveness.
God Reserves Vengeance for Himself Alone
Why does the Bible insist that vengeance belongs to God alone, and not to those who have been wronged? Scripture reserves this authority for God because only He possesses perfect justice, complete knowledge of hearts and motives, and the right to judge as Creator.
Deuteronomy 32:35 explicitly states, “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense,” a command echoed in Romans 12:19 and Hebrews 10:30. Psalm 94:1 addresses God as “God of vengeance,” while Nahum 1:2 describes Him as “a jealous and avenging God” who acts against His adversaries. Archaeological and textual evidence also confirms the historical context in which these texts were formed and transmitted, showing they emerged within a long tradition of scriptural authorship and preservation Dead Sea Scrolls.
This divine prerogative prevents sinful overreach by humans, whose limited understanding and mixed motives make them unfit for absolute judgment. By assigning vengeance to God, Scripture protects covenant justice and ensures that final repayment occurs according to divine standards and timing. In contrast to worldly revenge, Matthew 5:38-39 teaches believers to turn the other cheek, demonstrating submission to God’s justice rather than personal retaliation. God’s promise, “I will repay,” assures believers of His commitment to justice, emphasizing that evil deeds do not escape His notice or recompense.
Believers Must Respond to Enemies With Love, Not Retaliation
The New Covenant introduces a radical ethic that reverses common expectations about how to treat those who cause harm. Jesus commands his followers to love enemies, do good to them, and pray for persecutors (Matthew 5:43–44; Luke 6:27–28).
Paul reinforces this teaching, explicitly prohibiting believers from repaying evil for evil and instructing them to overcome evil with good instead (Romans 12:17, 21).
Peter adds that disciples should give a blessing rather than return an insult (1 Peter 3:9).
This posture reflects God’s own character—his kindness to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35–36) and Christ’s death for sinners while they were still enemies (Romans 5:8–10). God causes the sun to rise and rain to fall on both the righteous and unrighteous, illustrating his indiscriminate love toward all people. Believers are called to do to others as they would have others do to them, embodying this principle of reciprocal love in all relationships.
Such love marks believers as children of God and serves as powerful gospel witness.
