Matthew 5:38-42 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.
Punishment and revenge are two different things. Punishment is the penalty or price we pay for having done wrong by breaking a rule. Steal a car, go to prison. Punishment is simple enough to understand as it applies to the ruling authorities around us. Revenge is different. Revenge seeks additional punishment for the wrong-doer. Revenge is handed down not by the courts but by individuals who are not satisfied with the law’s prescribed penalty. They want more punishment.
Pharisees believe punishment extended beyond the courts for deserving wrong-doers. Punishment extended into the realm of personal relationships. We would call this revenge. Jesus did not agree that the court’s punishment was the basis for allowing personal revenge.
Jesus believed that punishment was the basis for justice in the courts. He knew it as the foundation for civil society to exist. Although the courts did have the power to exact punishment for a crime, it also could exact a lesser punishment as it saw fit.
Jesus uses four examples to illustrate the extent to which the Christian should go in order not to seek revenge. The Christian when struck should turn the other cheek; when sued, give more than required; when forced one mile, should go a second and when asked, should give freely. We are not to let this be an excuse for others to take advantage of us nor for us not to exercise the reasoning and intellect God has given us when dealing with others. This is not a reason for pacifism or a prohibition against force. If it were it would contradict the very judicial system God has given to us. The state is to punish those that ignore the laws given by God. The punishment is for the ungodly who are not conforming to God's will.
In our personal lives we are to resist retribution and revenge. For these actions are not ours but are God's as He deems appropriate. We are commanded to return the evil directed toward us with love. Love is to be our response in all circumstances not revenge, hatred or retaliation.
