An Eye for an Eye or Lex Tallionis

If your child punched another child in the face and knocked out his tooth, what would you do? If your neighbor scratched your car, what would you do? Some people read the passage of Scripture in Exodus 21:24 and in Deut. 25:11-12 and conclude that they should give back in kind. After all, doesn't the Bible say, "...eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.." etc??

It is easy to misunderstand this passage. The passage of Exodus 21:15-35 is not a passage for individual conduct. It is a passage for the government of Israel and its judges. It contains a statement of the principle of fairness and a limit on retaliation. In the Latin language it is called "lex tallionis" or the law of retaliation.

Jesus quoted it in the sermon on the mount because in His day it had also become misunderstood. People were applying it personally in their every day lives. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, 'Do not resist injuries (evil in KJV), but whoever strikes you on the right cheek turn to him the other as well'" (Matt. 5:38-29 Modern Language Version).

Was Jesus abolishing the government's right to punish evil? The Apostle Paul did not understand Jesus' words this way. In fact in Romans 13:4 Paul states that the governmental authorities are to retaliate against evil and we are to be subject to them and show appropriate respect.

But in thise passage (Rom. 12:17-21) which comes before Romans 13, Paul parallels Jesus' words about not avenging ourselves. And where did Paul and Jesus get their principles? Probably from Proverbs 20:22 and 24:29. Here's what it says. "Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; wait for the LORD and He will save you." And again, "Say not, 'As he did to me, so I will do him; I will repay a man according to his deeds.'"

We know that God will repay and He will avenge. "Vengeance is mine" says God. And in the end, what principle will God use to repay?? It is the principle of fairness expressed in the law of retaliation. See Col. 3:25; Matt. 7:2; Luke 6:38; and Psalms 7:16.

God is a God of justice. Governments should administer fair and just punishment. But in our personal lives, we must not seek revenge and pay back as our primary principle of conduct. Paul says, "Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good." Therefore, "If you enemy hunger, feed him. If he thirst, give him drink." See Romans 12:17-21.

Vengence is always dangerous. First it involves wrath, anger and hatred. When these emotions are involved, there will be a tendency to overdo it and retaliate far more than is just. We don't want to be Lamech's children (Gen. 4:24). We want to be the children of God who forgive 70 times 7!