Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion was Matthew 5:38-42.

 

³⁸  “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’  

³⁹  “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

⁴⁰  “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.

⁴¹  “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

⁴²  “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”  Matthew 5:38-42. 

  

Here is Calvin’s Commentary – Click here: Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke – Volume 1 | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Here are some quotes from Calvin’s Commentary in italic interspersed with my comments in regular font.  “God had enjoined, by his law, (Leviticus 24:20,) that judges and magistrates should punish those who had done injuries, by making them endure as much as they had inflicted.’  

But some wrongly thought the law entitled them to also take private revenge.  “They thought that they did no wrong, provided they were not the first to make the attack, but only, when injured, returned like for like.”

“Christ informs them, on the contrary, that, though judges were entrusted with the defense of the community, and were invested with authority to restrain the wicked and repress their violence, yet it is the duty of every man to bear patiently the injuries which he receives.”  (Emphasis added.)

“There are two ways of resisting: the one, by warding off injuries through inoffensive conduct; the other, by retaliation.  Though Christ does not permit his people to repel violence by violence, yet he does not forbid them to endeavor to avoid an unjust attack. … He afterwards extends the law of patience so far, that we are not only to bear patiently the injuries we have received, but to prepare for bearing fresh injuries. The amount of the whole admonition is, that believers should learn to forget the wrongs that have been done them, — that they should not, when injured, break out into hatred or ill-will, or wish to commit an injury on their part, — but that, the more the obstinacy and rage of wicked men was excited and inflamed, they should be the more fully disposed to exercise patience.”

 

“Christ now glances at another kind of annoyance, and that is, when wicked men torment us with law-suits. He commands us, even on such an occasion, to be so patient and submissive that, when our coat has been taken away, we shall be prepared to give up our cloak also. None but a fool will stand upon the words, so as to maintain, that we must yield to our opponents what they demand, before coming into a court of law: for such compliance would more strongly inflame the minds of wicked men to robbery and extortion; and we know, that nothing was farther from the design of Christ.  … In short, when Christians meet with one who endeavors to wrench from them a part of their property, they ought to be prepared to lose the whole.  Hence we conclude, that Christians are not entirely prohibited from engaging in law-suits, provided they have a just defense to offer. Though they do not surrender their goods as a prey, yet they do not depart from this doctrine of Christ, which exhorts us to bear patiently “the spoiling of our goods,” (Hebrews 10:34.)”

 

“We are only enjoined to exercise patience, that we may not be unduly distressed by the loss of our property, but calmly wait, till the Lord himself shall call the robbers to account.”

 

In summary, whether it be violent attacks or unjust lawsuits, we can ward them off through inoffensive conduct or just defenses.  But, we must be fully disposed to exercise patience.  We may not be unduly distressed by injuries or loss of property, realizing the following two principles: 

First, Luke 12:15 :  “Then He said to them, ” Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.”  

Second, Romans 12:19 : “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ” VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.”