Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 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 12:17-19
The words in this title are found on the Gadsden flag designed by Christopher Gadsden in 1775 during the revolutionary war. The Continental Marines used the phrase as an early motto. It was written below an image of a timber rattler coiled and ready to strike. The timber rattler, which was native to the colonial territories, became an early symbol of the thirteen American colonies. The slogan was a warning to Great Britain that the colonies were ready to strike if the British tried to step on them. The image and slogan are often seen on license plates, bumper stickers, clothing, etc. in the United States today. This readiness to strike makes sense in the scheme of an assault such as the colonists faced from the British army. However, this mindset is detrimental to everyday relationships.
No one should be treated as a doormat, and it is perfectly acceptable to give a defense of oneself (cf. John 18:19-23; Acts 22:1; 24:10; 25:8, 16; 26:1-2, 24). However, to bear the general attitude of a coiled timber rattler is contrary to what it is to be a Christian. Several passages indicate we ought to be more inclined to suffer an injustice than to exact revenge. In Matthew 5:38-41, Jesus gave three examples of injustices the first century Jew would not let slide. To slap someone on the right cheek with a backhand was the pinnacle of insults. In this action, the aggressor denied the victim’s right to be treated with dignity. The natural response was to strike back. Jesus said to turn the other cheek. Insults are not worthy of a response, and we will see shortly there is power in responding another way.
His second example is that of someone trying to sue and take their tunic (the inner garment). Rather than fight over it, Jesus said to offer up the cloak (more costly outer garment) as well. In Moses’ Law, it was forbidden to take someone’s cloak as a pledge. The third example had to do with the oppressing Roman soldiers with which they had to contend every day. By Roman law, they could force a citizen of a conquered land to carry their equipment for one mile. This naturally bred animosity. Jesus said go ahead and carry it an extra mile. As a side note, this is where the notion of “going the extra mile” arose.
In all these examples, Jesus is saying such insults and affronts to one’s dignity are to be combated by doing the audacious and responding with overt kindness. This of course is unpopular, but as Paul said, returning kindness for wrongs done will “…heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20). Returning good for evil takes the power out of such abuses, and more importantly it glorifies God.
In 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, there were some who had taken their brothers or sisters to court over disputes they should have handled internally. It was a shame to the Lord to bring such things to pagans to settle. It indicated they did not know how to act. Paul says, “Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” His point is that we should prefer to be “tread on” in this way than to tread on the glorious name of Christ by retaliating in the sight of godless sinners. Will we suffer for the name of Him Who suffered for our salvation, or will we demand a reckoning when we are slighted? Let us suffer shame before we bring shame to His name (cf. 1 Peter 2:19-25).