Romans 12 19

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.

Romans 12:19 nkjv

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

Romans 12:19 niv

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 esv

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

Romans 12:19 nlt

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,"
says the LORD.

Romans 12 verses

Romans 12 19 Meaning

Romans 12:19 is a direct instruction to believers regarding personal vengeance. It prohibits Christians from taking revenge into their own hands, commanding them instead to surrender that right to God. The verse underscores God's sovereignty over justice, asserting that ultimate retribution belongs solely to Him. It grounds this principle in Old Testament Scripture, reinforcing the theological truth that God will, in His time and way, justly recompense all wrongs. This call to refrain from personal revenge is a cornerstone of Christian ethics, fostering peace, trust in divine justice, and allowing believers to transcend the cycle of retaliation.

Romans 12 19 Context

Romans 12:19 is nestled within a practical and ethical section of Paul's letter to the Romans, beginning from chapter 12, verse 1. This section shifts from theological exposition (chapters 1-11) to instructions on how believers should live out their faith as a "living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1). Specifically, verses 9-21 focus on the expression of genuine Christian love within the community and towards the wider world. Paul emphasizes attributes like fervent love, honoring one another, rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, and extending hospitality (Rom 12:9-13).

The verses immediately preceding verse 19 provide its essential backdrop: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Rom 12:14), "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Rom 12:15), "Repay no one evil for evil" (Rom 12:17), and "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Rom 12:18). This build-up directly addresses the natural human impulse for retaliation when wronged, directing believers to overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21). Culturally, the Roman world often glorified valor and personal honor, making retaliation for insults or injuries a common expectation. Paul's instruction, deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the Old Testament, therefore challenged prevailing societal norms by calling for a counter-cultural submission to divine justice rather than self-administered revenge.

Romans 12 19 Word analysis

• Beloved (ἀγαπητοί - agapētoi): This affectionate term is used by Paul to address the Roman Christians, signifying a deep bond and shared faith. It frames the instruction not as a harsh command but as a loving exhortation from a spiritual father, emphasizing the familial and communal nature of these Christian ethics. It reminds the recipients that this difficult command comes from a heart of care.
• Never avenge (μὴ ἑαυτοὺς ἐκδικοῦντες - mē heautous ekdikountes): The Greek μὴ with the present participle ἐκδικοῦντες conveys a continuous prohibition: "do not be taking vengeance yourselves" or "stop avenging yourselves." ἐκδικέω (ekdikeō) means to seek justice for someone, punish, or take revenge. The addition of ἑαυτοὺς (heautous - yourselves) makes it emphatic, forbidding personal, self-directed acts of retribution. It's a fundamental renunciation of the right to personal retaliation.
• but leave it (ἀλλὰ δότε τόπον - alla dote topon): δότε τόπον literally means "give place" or "make room." This is a strong imperative, commanding the believer to step aside, yield the ground, and relinquish the role of judge and punisher. It implies intentionally creating space for something else to occur or for someone else to act.
• to the wrath (τῇ ὀργῇ - tē orgē): Refers to God's righteous indignation and ultimate judgment against sin and injustice. It is a holy, controlled attribute of God, distinct from human wrath which is often fueled by passion and personal injury. To "give place to the wrath" means to entrust the just retribution of wrongs to God's divine and unerring judgment. It acknowledges God's authority to right wrongs.
• of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ - tou Theou): Explicitly names the source of this divine wrath and justice, reinforcing that God alone holds this right and capacity. It removes all doubt as to whose wrath is meant.
• for it is written (γέγραπται γάρ - gegraptai gar): The perfect passive indicative γέγραπται means "it stands written" or "it has been written and remains written," signifying that this is a permanent, authoritative statement from Scripture. γάρ (gar - for) introduces the reason or proof for the previous command, drawing upon divine authority. This refers to the Old Testament, specifically Deut 32:35 and possibly aspects of Prov 25:21-22 in a broader sense of God's justice.
• Vengeance (Ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις - Emoi ekdikēsis): ἐκδίκησις (ekdikēsis) is the act of vindication or punishment. Ἐμοὶ (Emoi - to me/mine) is emphatically placed at the beginning, highlighting that vengeance belongs exclusively to the speaker—God. This is a direct quote from the Septuagint (LXX) of Deut 32:35, asserting God's sole proprietorship over punitive justice.
• is mine (ἐμοὶ - emoi): Emphasizes exclusive possession. God claims vengeance as His right alone, taking it out of human hands entirely.
• I will repay (ἐγὼ ἀνταποδώσω - egō antapodōsō): ἐγὼ (egō - I) is emphatic, reiterating that God personally undertakes this. ἀνταποδίδωμι (antapodidōmi) means to give back, to repay in full, to recompense. It is a divine promise that justice will be perfectly served. This promise removes the necessity for human intervention.
• says the Lord (λέγει Κύριος - legei Kyrios): Identifies the speaker of the previous quotation as the divine sovereign, Κύριος (Kyrios), reinforcing the absolute authority and trustworthiness of the declaration. This statement closes the quote with divine attestation.

Word-groups Analysis:

• "Beloved, never avenge yourselves": This opening establishes a loving but firm prohibition against self-administered justice, setting the stage for the believer's response to wrongdoing. It implies an internal discipline that moves against natural impulses.
• "but leave it to the wrath of God": This phrase mandates the redirection of the urge for vengeance. Instead of taking matters into one's own hands, believers are to consciously cede that role to God, trusting in His righteous indignation and perfect timing. It speaks to a profound trust in divine sovereignty.
• "for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay,' says the Lord": This core section provides the theological and biblical basis for the command. By quoting Scripture, Paul grounds Christian conduct in the unchanging character and word of God. It highlights that personal revenge encroaches upon God's exclusive prerogative as the ultimate judge and avenger, diminishing His authority and sovereignty. This isn't just a practical command; it's a theological truth about who God is.

Romans 12 19 Bonus section

The phrase "give place to the wrath" (δότε τόπον τῇ ὀργῇ) can be interpreted in a few ways by scholars:

1. Give place for God's wrath to operate: The most common and direct understanding, aligning with "Vengeance is Mine." It means step aside and let God handle the recompense.
2. Give place, or space, away from your own anger: This implies stepping back from your own personal feelings of anger and resentment, allowing them to cool down and preventing them from driving you to vengeance. While "the wrath" here is usually attributed to God, the instruction to "give place" does necessitate a pause in one's own emotional response.
3. Give room for repentance from your enemy (by not retaliating): Though less direct for "wrath of God," the overall context of Rom 12:9-21 and the later instruction in Rom 12:20 (feeding enemies) certainly provides space for reconciliation and even conversion, if one doesn't immediately retaliate. By not engaging in vengeance, believers create an opportunity for the other person to reflect or repent.

This teaching also highlights the significant difference between human justice and divine justice. Human justice is often flawed, biased, incomplete, and driven by emotion. Divine justice, conversely, is perfect, omniscient, righteous, and carried out with perfect timing and equity. To usurp God's right to vengeance is to trust in our imperfect judgment over His perfect judgment.

Romans 12 19 Commentary

Romans 12:19 succinctly encapsulates a vital tenet of Christian living: the renunciation of personal vengeance. Paul's address as "Beloved" softens the austerity of the command, inviting the reader to embrace this challenging principle out of love and trust, not just duty. The explicit prohibition against "avenging yourselves" directly confronts the human instinct for retribution, an instinct deeply embedded in fallen human nature and often encouraged by historical or cultural norms. Instead, the command to "leave it to the wrath of God" is an act of profound spiritual maturity and trust. It requires surrendering the deeply personal desire for recompense, entrusting the timing and method of justice to God's perfect and righteous judgment, which is always devoid of human error, bias, or sinful passion.

The authority for this command is found in the Old Testament, quoting Deut 32:35, emphasizing that God is the sole proprietor of justice ("Vengeance is mine"). This theological foundation not only removes the burden of retaliation from the individual believer but also corrects the mistaken idea that humans have the right to wield divine power. God's promise, "I will repay," assures that injustice will not go unpunished, reinforcing His character as a just God. Therefore, abstaining from vengeance is not a sign of weakness or apathy, but an affirmation of faith in God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to righteousness. It liberates believers from the destructive cycle of animosity and opens the path to active peacemaking, as outlined in the surrounding verses. Practically, it enables Christians to overcome evil with good by refusing to be drawn into its self-perpetuating patterns.