Study of Romans 12 – Verse 19

    I encourage you to go back and reread the two lessons on Romans 12:17, and last week’s lesson on Romans 12:18; both these verses prepare us to obey the command given in verse 19.

“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 NKJV)  

    When we prepare ourselves (through study, prayer, remembering, and reverence) to know and to practise what is good in the sight of all men (i.e. every moment of every day) we will also learn to abhor what is evil (Romans 12:9), and we will be less likely to give in to the carnal desire of wanting to repay evil for evil (Romans 12:17). Clinging to what is good and abhorring what is evil will also prepare us to bring peace to every situation we are in (Romans 12:18). We should carry within us, every moment of the day, a mindset prepared to counter any evil (anger, wrath, reviling, etc.) with composed peace, because we prioritize doing what is right in God’s sight always, not what man deems alright in the moment.

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20 NKJV)

“…do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath…”

Wrath, in the passage (Strong’s #G3709 ‘orge’), means settled anger (opposition), rising up from an ongoing (fixed) opposition. The Greek word ‘orge’ comes from the verb ‘orago’ which means to teem or to swell. This implies that it is not a sudden outburst, but rather (referring to God’s wrath) a fixed, controlled, justifiable abhorrence against sin – a settled indignation. God stands opposed to man’s disobedience, unyielding stubbornness, and sin. God has clearly stated the punishment and consequences for these choices, and they will be delivered by Him if those sins are not repented of.

    The abilities and energies God blesses us with are not to be wasted on retaliation or even thoughts of retaliation. We are to use our time, abilities, and energies to learn what is good, be transformed by it, and cling to it (make it a part of who we are every moment of every day) so that we may be holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1, 9). Through reading and study, we will also learn what God is opposed to, and so we do our utmost to not be influenced by those things or to participate in them in any way (read and consider Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17:5-8).

    When wrong is done to us, we do not retaliate. We recognize the wrongdoing as something that God is wholly opposed to and we leave it to Him (who judges righteously, 1 Peter 2:21-23); it is God’s place to punish, not ours. Our responsibility and the proper use of our energies and abilities is to maintain our regard for good things in the sight of all men and to live peaceably with all men; so having learned what God says is good, we put it into practise and stand up for God and His way in a peaceful manner.    

    When you suffer for doing what is right, follow in Jesus’ steps: let go and let God.  Love, bless, do good, and pray for those who are your enemies, who hate you, curse you, and spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44), just as Jesus did when He prayed on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34).

    Love for God and appreciation for His mercy toward us should motivate us to be loving and merciful to those who may not know better. Maintaining our regard for good things and being peaceable in every situation will help those involved (and/or those observing) to learn of a better way – to learn of God and His way!

    Keep your mind focused on things above (Colossians 3:1-3) and show yourself to be a true follower of Christ by walking just as Jesus walked (1 John 2:3-6).

You can do it! So can I!!