Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Romans 12:19 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ro 12:19	Strong Concordance	Dearly beloved [27], avenge [1556] not [3361] yourselves [1438], but [235] rather give [1325] place [5117] unto wrath [3709]: for [1063] it is written [1125], Vengeance [1557] is mine [1698]; I [1473] will repay [467], saith [3004] the Lord [2962].
	King James	Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
avenge not, &c.--(See on Rom 12:14). but rather give place unto wrath--This is usually taken to mean, "but give room or space for wrath to spend itself." But as the context shows that the injunction is to leave vengeance to God, "wrath" here seems to mean, not the offense, which we are tempted to avenge, but the avenging wrath of God (see Ch2 24:18), which we are enjoined to await, or give room for. (So the best interpreters).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

avenge not, &c.--(See on Rom 12:14).

but rather give place unto wrath--This is usually taken to mean, "but give room or space for wrath to spend itself." But as the context shows that the injunction is to leave vengeance to God, "wrath" here seems to mean, not the offense, which we are tempted to avenge, but the avenging wrath of God (see Ch2 24:18), which we are enjoined to await, or give room for. (So the best interpreters).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Dearly beloved - This expression of tenderness was especially appropriate in an exhortation to peace. It reminded them of the affection and friendship which ought to subsist among them as brethren. Avenge not yourselves - To "avenge" is to take satisfaction for an injury by inflicting punishment on the offender. To take such satisfaction for injuries done to society, is lawful and proper for a magistrate; Rom 13:4. And to take satisfaction for injuries done by sin to the universe, is the province of God. But the apostle here is addressing private individual Christians. And the command is, to avoid a spirit and purpose of revenge. But this command is not to be so understood that we may not seek for "justice" in a regular and proper way before civil tribunals. If our character is assaulted, if we are robbed and plundered, if we are oppressed contrary to the law of the land, religion does not require us to submit to such oppression and injury without seeking our rights in an orderly and regular manner. If it did, it would be to give a premium to iniquity, to countenance wickedness, and require a man, by becoming a Christian, to abandon his rights. Besides, the magistrate is appointed for the praise of those who do well, and to punish evil-doers; Pe1 2:14. Further, our Lord Jesus did not surrender his rights Joh 18:23; and Paul demanded that he himself should be treated according to the rights and privileges of a Roman citizen; Act 16:37. The command here "not to avenge ourselves" means, that we are not to take it out of the hands of God, or the hands of the law, and to inflict it ourselves. It is well known that where there are no laws, the business of vengeance is pursued by individuals in a barbarous and unrelenting manner. In a state of savage society, vengeance is "immediately taken," if possible, or it is pursued for years, and the offended man is never satisfied until he has imbrued his hands in the blood of the offender. Such was eminently the case among the Indians of this country (America). But Christianity seeks the ascendancy of the laws; and in cases which do not admit or require the interference of the laws, in private assaults and quarrels, it demands that we bear injury with patience, and commit our cause unto God; see Lev 19:18. But rather give place unto wrath - This expression has been interpreted in a great variety of ways. Its obvious design is to induce us not to attempt to avenge ourselves, but to leave it with God. To "give place," then, is to leave it for God to come in and execute wrath or vengeance on the enemy. Do not execute wrath; leave it to God; commit all to him; leave yourself and your enemy in his hands, assured that he will vindicate you and punish him. For it is written - Deu 32:35. Vengeance is mine - That is, it belongs to me to inflict revenge. This expression implies that it is "improper" for people to interfere with that which properly belongs to God. When we are angry, and attempt to avenge ourselves, we should remember, therefore, that we are infringing on the prerogatives of the Almighty. I will repay ... - This is said in substance, though not in so many words, in Deu 32:35-36. Its design is to assure us that those who deserve to be punished, shall be; and that, therefore, the business of revenge may be safely left in the bands of God. Though "we" should not do it, yet if it ought to be done, it will be done. This assurance will sustain as, not in the "desire" that our enemy shall be punished, but in the belief that "God" will take the matter into his own hands; that he can administer it better than we can; and that if our enemy "ought" to be punished, he will be. "We," therefore, should leave it all with God. That God will vindicate his people, is clearly and abundantly proved in Th2 1:6-10; Rev 6:9-11; Deu 32:40-43.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Dearly beloved - This expression of tenderness was especially appropriate in an exhortation to peace. It reminded them of the affection and friendship which ought to subsist among them as brethren.

Avenge not yourselves - To "avenge" is to take satisfaction for an injury by inflicting punishment on the offender. To take such satisfaction for injuries done to society, is lawful and proper for a magistrate; Rom 13:4. And to take satisfaction for injuries done by sin to the universe, is the province of God. But the apostle here is addressing private individual Christians. And the command is, to avoid a spirit and purpose of revenge. But this command is not to be so understood that we may not seek for "justice" in a regular and proper way before civil tribunals. If our character is assaulted, if we are robbed and plundered, if we are oppressed contrary to the law of the land, religion does not require us to submit to such oppression and injury without seeking our rights in an orderly and regular manner. If it did, it would be to give a premium to iniquity, to countenance wickedness, and require a man, by becoming a Christian, to abandon his rights.

Besides, the magistrate is appointed for the praise of those who do well, and to punish evil-doers; Pe1 2:14. Further, our Lord Jesus did not surrender his rights Joh 18:23; and Paul demanded that he himself should be treated according to the rights and privileges of a Roman citizen; Act 16:37. The command here "not to avenge ourselves" means, that we are not to take it out of the hands of God, or the hands of the law, and to inflict it ourselves. It is well known that where there are no laws, the business of vengeance is pursued by individuals in a barbarous and unrelenting manner. In a state of savage society, vengeance is "immediately taken," if possible, or it is pursued for years, and the offended man is never satisfied until he has imbrued his hands in the blood of the offender. Such was eminently the case among the Indians of this country (America). But Christianity seeks the ascendancy of the laws; and in cases which do not admit or require the interference of the laws, in private assaults and quarrels, it demands that we bear injury with patience, and commit our cause unto God; see Lev 19:18.

But rather give place unto wrath - This expression has been interpreted in a great variety of ways. Its obvious design is to induce us not to attempt to avenge ourselves, but to leave it with God. To "give place," then, is to leave it for God to come in and execute wrath or vengeance on the enemy. Do not execute wrath; leave it to God; commit all to him; leave yourself and your enemy in his hands, assured that he will vindicate you and punish him.

For it is written - Deu 32:35.

Vengeance is mine - That is, it belongs to me to inflict revenge. This expression implies that it is "improper" for people to interfere with that which properly belongs to God. When we are angry, and attempt to avenge ourselves, we should remember, therefore, that we are infringing on the prerogatives of the Almighty.

I will repay ... - This is said in substance, though not in so many words, in Deu 32:35-36. Its design is to assure us that those who deserve to be punished, shall be; and that, therefore, the business of revenge may be safely left in the bands of God. Though "we" should not do it, yet if it ought to be done, it will be done. This assurance will sustain as, not in the "desire" that our enemy shall be punished, but in the belief that "God" will take the matter into his own hands; that he can administer it better than we can; and that if our enemy "ought" to be punished, he will be. "We," therefore, should leave it all with God. That God will vindicate his people, is clearly and abundantly proved in Th2 1:6-10; Rev 6:9-11; Deu 32:40-43.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Give place unto wrath (δότε τόπον τῇ ὀργῇ) Wrath has the article: the wrath, referring to the divine wrath. Give place is give room for it to work. Do not get in its way, as you will do by taking vengeance into your own hands. Hence as Rev., in margin, and American Rev., in text, give place unto the wrath of God. Vengeance is mine (ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις) Lit., unto Me is vengeance. The Rev. brings out better the force of the original: Vengeance belongeth unto Me. The quotation is from Deu 32:35. Hebrew, To me belongs vengeance and requital. Septuagint, In the day of vengeance I will requite. The antithesis between vengeance by God and by men is not found in Deuteronomy. Compare Heb 10:30. Dante, listening to Peter Damiano, who describes the abuses of the Church, hears a great cry. Beatrice says: "The cry has startled thee so much, In which, if thou hadst understood its prayers, Already would be known to thee the vengeance Which thou shalt look upon before thou diest. The sword above here smiteth not in haste, Nor tardily, howe'er it seem to him Who, fearing or desiring, waits for it." "Paradiso," xxii, 12-18. Compare Plato: Socrates, "And what of doing evil in return for evil, which is the morality of the many - is that just or not? Crito, Not just. Socrates, For doing evil to another is the same as injuring him? Crito, Very true. Socrates, Then we ought not to retaliate or render evil for evil to any one, whatever evil we may have suffered from him.... This opinion has never been held, and never will be held by any considerable number of persons" ("Crito," 49). Epictetus, being asked how a man could injure his enemy, replied, "By living the best life himself." The idea of personal vindictiveness must be eliminated from the word here. It is rather full meting out of justice to all parties.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Dearly beloved - So he softens the rugged spirit. Revenge not yourselves, but leave that to God. Perhaps it might more properly be rendered, leave room for wrath; that is, the wrath of God, to whom vengeance properly belongs. Deu 32:35

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves - Ye are the children of God, and he loves you; and because he loves you he will permit nothing to be done to you that he will not turn to your advantage. Never take the execution of the law into your own hands; rather suffer injuries. The Son of man is come, not to destroy men's lives, but to save: be of the same spirit. When he was reviled, he reviled not again. It is the part of a noble mind to bear up under unmerited disgrace; little minds are litigious and quarrelsome. Give place unto wrath - Δοτε τοπον τῃ οργῃ· Leave room for the civil magistrate to do his duty, he holds the sword for this purpose; and if he be unfaithful to the trust reposed in him by the state, leave the matter to God, who is the righteous judge: for by avenging yourselves you take your cause both out of the hands of the civil magistrate and out of the hands of God. I believe this to be the meaning of give place to wrath, οργῃ, punishment; the penalty which the law, properly executed, will inflict. This is well expressed by the author of the book of Ecclesiasticus, 19:17: Admonish thy neighbor before thou threaten him, and, not being, angry, Give Place to the Law of the Most High. Vengeance is mine - This fixes the meaning of the apostle, and at once shows that the exhortation, Rather give place to wrath or punishment, means, Leave the matter to the judgment of God; it is his law that in this case is broken; and to him the infliction of deserved punishment belongs. Some think it means, "Yield a little to a man when in a violent passion, for the sake of peace, until he grow cooler." I will repay - In my own time and in my own way. But he gives the sinner space to repent, and this longsuffering leads to salvation. Dr. Taylor, after Dr. Benson, conjectures that the apostle in these directions had his eye upon the indignities which the Jews, and probably the Christians too, (for they were often confounded by the heathen), suffered by the edict of Claudius, mentioned Act 18:2, which "commanded all Jews to depart from Rome." Upon this occasion Aquila and Priscilla removed to Corinth, where Paul found them, and dwelt with them a considerable time. No doubt they gave him a full account of the state of the Christian Church at Rome, and of every thing relating to the late persecution under Claudius. That emperor's edict probably died with him, if it were not repealed before, and then the Jews and Christians (if the Christians were also expelled) returned again to Rome; for Aquila and Priscilla were there when Paul wrote this epistle, Rom 16:3, which was in the fourth year of Nero, successor to Claudius.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves - Ye are the children of God, and he loves you; and because he loves you he will permit nothing to be done to you that he will not turn to your advantage. Never take the execution of the law into your own hands; rather suffer injuries. The Son of man is come, not to destroy men's lives, but to save: be of the same spirit. When he was reviled, he reviled not again. It is the part of a noble mind to bear up under unmerited disgrace; little minds are litigious and quarrelsome.

Give place unto wrath - Δοτε τοπον τῃ οργῃ· Leave room for the civil magistrate to do his duty, he holds the sword for this purpose; and if he be unfaithful to the trust reposed in him by the state, leave the matter to God, who is the righteous judge: for by avenging yourselves you take your cause both out of the hands of the civil magistrate and out of the hands of God. I believe this to be the meaning of give place to wrath, οργῃ, punishment; the penalty which the law, properly executed, will inflict. This is well expressed by the author of the book of Ecclesiasticus, 19:17: Admonish thy neighbor before thou threaten him, and, not being, angry, Give Place to the Law of the Most High.

Vengeance is mine - This fixes the meaning of the apostle, and at once shows that the exhortation, Rather give place to wrath or punishment, means, Leave the matter to the judgment of God; it is his law that in this case is broken; and to him the infliction of deserved punishment belongs. Some think it means, "Yield a little to a man when in a violent passion, for the sake of peace, until he grow cooler."

I will repay - In my own time and in my own way. But he gives the sinner space to repent, and this longsuffering leads to salvation. Dr. Taylor, after Dr. Benson, conjectures that the apostle in these directions had his eye upon the indignities which the Jews, and probably the Christians too, (for they were often confounded by the heathen), suffered by the edict of Claudius, mentioned Act 18:2, which "commanded all Jews to depart from Rome." Upon this occasion Aquila and Priscilla removed to Corinth, where Paul found them, and dwelt with them a considerable time. No doubt they gave him a full account of the state of the Christian Church at Rome, and of every thing relating to the late persecution under Claudius. That emperor's edict probably died with him, if it were not repealed before, and then the Jews and Christians (if the Christians were also expelled) returned again to Rome; for Aquila and Priscilla were there when Paul wrote this epistle, Rom 16:3, which was in the fourth year of Nero, successor to Claudius.

Top

¹⁸ And they left [05800] the house [01004] of the LORD [03068] God [0430] of their fathers [01], and served [05647] groves [0842] and idols [06091]: and wrath [07110] came upon Judah [03063] and Jerusalem [03389] for this their trespass [0819].

¹⁴ Bless [2127] them which persecute [1377] you [5209]: bless [2127], and [2532] curse [2672] not [3361].

⁴⁰ For I lift up [05375] my hand [03027] to heaven [08064], and say [0559], I live [02416] for ever [05769].
⁴¹ If I whet [08150] my glittering [01300] sword [02719], and mine hand [03027] take hold [0270] on judgment [04941]; I will render [07725] vengeance [05359] to mine enemies [06862], and will reward [07999] them that hate [08130] me.
⁴² I will make mine arrows [02671] drunk [07937] with blood [01818], and my sword [02719] shall devour [0398] flesh [01320]; and that with the blood [01818] of the slain [02491] and of the captives [07633], from the beginning [07218] of revenges [06546] upon the enemy [0341].
⁴³ Rejoice [07442], O ye nations [01471], with his people [05971]: for he will avenge [05358] the blood [01818] of his servants [05650], and will render [07725] vengeance [05359] to his adversaries [06862], and will be merciful [03722] unto his land [0127], and to his people [05971].

⁹ And [2532] when [3753] he had opened [455] the fifth [3991] seal [4973], I saw [1492] under [5270] the altar [2379] the souls [5590] of them that were slain [4969] for [1223] the word [3056] of God [2316], and [2532] for [1223] the testimony [3141] which [3739] they held [2192]:
¹⁰ And [2532] they cried [2896] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], saying [3004], How [2193] long [4219], O Lord [1203], holy [40] and [2532] true [228], dost thou [2919] not [3756] judge [2919] and [2532] avenge [1556] our [2257] blood [129] on [575] them that dwell [2730] on [1909] the earth [1093]?
¹¹ And [2532] white [3022] robes [4749] were given [1325] unto every one of them [1538]; and [2532] it was said [4483] unto them [846], that [2443] they should rest [373] yet [2089] for a little [3398] season [5550], until [2193] their [846] fellowservants [4889] also [2532] and [2532] their [846] brethren [80], that should [3195] be killed [615] as [5613] [2532] they [846] were, should [3739] be fulfilled [4137].

⁶ Seeing [1512] it is a righteous thing [1342] with [3844] God [2316] to recompense [467] tribulation [2347] to them that trouble [2346] you [5209];
⁷ And [2532] to you [5213] who are troubled [2346] rest [425] with [3326] us [2257], when [1722] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] shall be revealed [602] from [575] heaven [3772] with [3326] his [846] mighty [1411] angels [32],
⁸ In [1722] flaming [5395] fire [4442] taking [1325] vengeance [1557] on them that know [1492] not [3361] God [2316], and [2532] that obey [5219] not [3361] the gospel [2098] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]:
⁹ Who [3748] shall be punished [1349] [5099] with everlasting [166] destruction [3639] from [575] the presence [4383] of the Lord [2962], and [2532] from [575] the glory [1391] of his [846] power [2479];
¹⁰ When [3752] he shall come [2064] to be glorified [1740] in [1722] his [846] saints [40], and [2532] to be admired [2296] in [1722] all [3956] them that believe [4100] (because [3754] our [2257] testimony [3142] among [1909] you [5209] was believed [4100] in [1722] that [1565] day [2250].

³⁵ To me belongeth vengeance [05359], and recompence [08005]; their foot [07272] shall slide [04131] in due time [06256]: for the day [03117] of their calamity [0343] is at hand [07138], and the things that shall come [06264] upon them make haste [02363].
³⁶ For the LORD [03068] shall judge [01777] his people [05971], and repent [05162] himself for his servants [05650], when he seeth [07200] that their power [03027] is gone [0235], and there is none [0657] shut up [06113], or left [05800].

¹⁸ Thou shalt not avenge [05358], nor bear any grudge [05201] against the children [01121] of thy people [05971], but thou shalt love [0157] thy neighbour [07453] as thyself [03644]: I am the LORD [03068].

³⁷ But [1161] Paul [3972] said [5346] unto [4314] them [846], They have beaten [1194] us [2248] openly [1219] uncondemned [178], being [5225] Romans [4514] [444], and have cast [906] us into [1519] prison [5438]; and [2532] now [3568] do they thrust [1544] us [2248] out [1544] privily [2977]? nay [3756] verily [1063]; but [235] let them come [2064] themselves [846] and fetch [1806] us [2248] out [1806].

²³ Jesus [2424] answered [611] him [846], If [1487] I have spoken [2980] evil [2560], bear witness [3140] of [4012] the evil [2556]: but [1161] if [1487] well [2573], why [5101] smitest [1194] thou me [3165]?

¹⁴ Or [1535] unto governors [2232], as [5613] unto them that are sent [3992] by [1223] him [846] for [1519] [3303] the punishment [1557] of evildoers [2555], and [1161] for the praise [1868] of them that do well [17].

⁴ For [1063] he is [2076] the minister [1249] of God [2316] to thee [4671] for [1519] good [18]. But [1161] if [1437] thou do [4160] that which is evil [2556], be afraid [5399]; for [1063] he beareth [5409] not [3756] the sword [3162] in vain [1500]: for [1063] he is [2076] the minister [1249] of God [2316], a revenger [1558] to execute wrath [3709] upon [1519] him that doeth [4238] evil [2556].

³⁰ For [1063] we know [1492] him that hath said [2036], Vengeance [1557] belongeth unto me [1698], I [1473] will recompense [467], saith [3004] the Lord [2962]. And [2532] again [3825], The Lord [2962] shall judge [2919] his [846] people [2992].

³ Greet [782] Priscilla [4252] and [2532] Aquila [207] my [3450] helpers [4904] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424]:

² And [2532] found [2147] a certain [5100] Jew [2453] named [3686] Aquila [207], born [1085] in Pontus [4193], lately [4373] come [2064] from [575] Italy [2482], with [2532] his [846] wife [1135] Priscilla [4252]; (because that [1223] Claudius [2804] had commanded [1299] all [3956] Jews [2453] to depart [5563] from [1537] Rome [4516]:) and came [4334] unto them [846].