By expounding the meaning of oathtaking in Matthew 5:33-37, Rev. Sang Ho Bae explained the trustworthiness of the words of Christians. This time, his exposition corrects a popular misunderstanding about Lex Talionis, which serves as justification for revenge.

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An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” (Exod. 21:24–25) is one of the most widely known yet at the same time most widely misunderstood passages in the entire Bible. Many people take this statement as a basis that permits or justifies revenge. In other words, “You damaged my eye, so I can damage your eye.” In the days of Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees taught exactly in that way. But this is an opposite interpretation of God’s law.

Limits on Revenge

The purpose for which God gave this law was not to permit revenge but to set limits on revenge as a merciful device to restrain the evil nature of human beings. When a person is struck once, he tries to strike twice; when he receives a small wound, he tries to repay with a greater one. Lamech in Genesis 4 killed a man for a single wound. Evil always tends toward excessive retaliation. Therefore, God, by giving the law “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” restricted the unlimited vengeance of human beings. If one tooth was broken, the punishment must stop at injuring one tooth of the offender; it must not proceed to harsher penalties such as gouging out an eye or cutting off a hand. To forbid punishment that exceeds the damage—this was the original spirit of the law.

Not a Private Revenge

This law was not permission for private revenge given to individuals, but the standard of punishment to be imposed by a judge. It does not mean that an individual should retaliate, but that a judge must not impose a punishment that exceeds the harm done. This agrees with the basic spirit of modern criminal law. Law must be executed according to justice, not emotion. God set limits to punishment within public order to prevent human anger from running wild. Therefore, this law is not a law of revenge but a law of justice permeated with God’s mercy. But the scribes and Pharisees distorted this law into a rule of revenge, and Jesus corrected that distortion.

The Order of Love

Some people think that the Old Testament teaches revenge and the New Testament teaches love. But this is a complete misunderstanding of Scripture. The Old Testament also teaches, “Love your neighbor” (Lev. 19:18). Both the New Testament and the Old Testament contain the same spirit of God’s love. Public punishment for maintaining social order exists as a separate sphere from love. Private revenge is forbidden, but public justice must be upheld. Aquinas explains in the “Summa Theologica” that “a just punishment is not the opposite of love but a tool to preserve the order of love.” That is, public punishment is not revenge but the restoration of order.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals the original spirit of this law and teaches how believers should live personally. “Do not resist the evil person,” and “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also,” mean that we must not repay in the manner of the wicked. On the other hand, “If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, give him your cloak as well,” “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two,” and “Give to the one who asks you, and do not refuse the one who wants to borrow from you,” teach the principle that the citizens of the kingdom must live beyond the standards expected by the world.

The core of Jesus’ teaching is that believers must live as people different from the world. It is to live as those who understand more, yield more, and love more. Yet this path is not a path of loss but the path on which God is with us. Isaac yielded without quarrel even when his wells were taken, but God gave him a hundredfold blessing, and eventually his enemies came first to seek peace. Therefore, yielding is not defeat, but an expression of faith, and only those who trust in God’s mercy can choose this path.

Ending the Cycle of Violence

Hating enemies and taking revenge does not solve problems but only makes them greater. Revenge produces further revenge, and when one retaliates under the sway of emotion, all eventually fall into ruin. Scripture teaches, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:17–21). The world tries to overcome evil with evil, but the most powerful weapon that can overcome evil is good.

Nonviolence is not weakness but a greater strength. The Roman Empire conquered the world with the sword, but in the end it fell before the nonviolent love of Christianity. Love is gentle, yet it is the power that transforms the world, and the one who loves is the one who ultimately wins. A life lived in love leaves no regret, but a life lived in hatred leaves only regret.

Personal Response and Reflection of Rev. Angelito Carillo

This devotional reminds me that true faith is not only proven in moments of suffering but also in the integrity of everyday life. The Korean church powerfully guarded the purity of faith amid persecution, yet this reflection warns that right belief must also be matched by ethical living—especially in the way we speak.

Jesus’ teaching about oaths challenges me to examine my own words. There is no such thing as speaking outside God’s presence; every word is spoken before Him. When my “yes” needs explanation or my “no” needs defense, it reveals a lack of integrity. Christ calls me to become a person whose words are trustworthy on their own.

In a world filled with exaggeration and half-truths, truthful and loving speech becomes a powerful witness. When truth dwells on the lips of believers, the church regains credibility and fulfills its calling to be light and salt. May my words be simple, honest, and shaped by love—so that my life, not just my confession, gives glory to God.

Check out Break The Cycle, an inspirational pop rock version of this article generated by AI here.