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I. WHAT THIS REVENGE IS THAT IS SO SINFUL AND DISHONOURING TO GOD, WHOSE PROVINCE ALONE VENGEANCE IS.

1. There is a public and authoritative revenge, belonging to such as are invested with a lawful authority. This is necessary, and is done by the authority of God. Thus the magistrate has power to revenge wrongs in the state (Romans 13:4), Church-rulers in the Church (2 Corinthians 10:6), and masters in families (Genesis 16:6). And persons wronged seeking redress from those to whom the public revenge belongs is a lawful thing (Luke 18:3).

2. There is a private and personal revenge which is sinful, viz., that —

(1) Taken by those in authority, out of ill-will to the wrongdoer. They are revengers to execute (Romans 13:4) not their own wrath, but God's.

(2) Sought from those in authority, which is neither necessary for the public good, nor the amendment of the offender, nor the safety of the parts hurt. Let those take heed who fly to their law pleading on every trifling occasion, just to gratify their own passion (Matthew 5:40).

(3) Taken by those not in authority nor acting in a public capacity, but at the command of their passion.

(a) By words. The tongue is as real an instrument of revenge, as the hands, swords, or spears.

(b) By deeds (Proverbs 26:39).

(c) By omission of duty owing to the offending party, contrary to ver. 20. Besiegers may revenge themselves as much by starvation as by storming.

II. THE SINFULNESS AND DISHONOUR TO GOD IN THIS REVENGE.

1. It is directly opposite to the love of our neighbour, the fundamental law of the second table (Leviticus 19:18).

2. It is unjust violence, as assuming and exercising a power which God never gave us. And as unjust violence ever was so it will ever be highly dishonourable to God the Judge and Protector of all (Genesis 6:11). Men are not left like beasts, among whom the stronger command the weaker; but God has set laws for both.

3. It cannot reach the true ends of revenge, which God hath settled, viz., the amendment of the party offending (Romans 13:14), the public good (Deuteronomy 19:20), and the safety of the wronged (1 Timothy 2:2). Private revenge only irritates the party smarting by it, gives a scandalous example to others, and involves the revenger and others in much trouble.

4. It is void of all equity: for in it a man is accuser, judge, and executioner, all in his own cause. Who would reckon that fair in another's case?

5. It is an invading of authority, a taking out of their hand what God has put in it. Therefore the apostle immediately subjoins the duty of subjects and magistrates (chap 13.). Family revengers invade the Master's authority; Church-revengers the authority of the Church-rulers; and civil revengers the office of the magistrate.

6. It is an invading of the authority of God (Psalm 94:1; Nahum 1:2). He only is fit to have it in His hand: for He is omniscient; we know little, and are liable to mistakes; He is without passions, we are ready to be blinded by them: He is the common Father and Judge of all, most just and impartial, we are prejudiced in our own favours.

III. PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT.

1. We may hence take occasion to lament —

(1)  The state of human nature in general.

(2)  The state of our nature in particular so ready to revenge.

2. It serves to reprove —

(1)  Those who allow themselves in scolding those who they conceive have wronged them (2 Samuel 16:7, 8; Matthew 4:31; 5:22).

(2)  Those who end their quarrels in blows and fightings (Matthew 26:52; Galatians 5:19-21.)

(3)  Those who are sure to do an ill turn to those who have wronged them, if it lie in their power.

(4)  Those who make no conscience of doing their duty to those who have wronged them, but carry towards them as if their offence loosed them from all bonds of duty to them, and so satisfy their revenge (Matthew 5:44-46).

3. Revenge not yourselves, but rather give place to the wrath of your adversary. To press this, I offer the following motives.

(1) This is true excellency and bravery of spirit.

(a)  In this ye will resemble the spirit Jesus was actuated by (1 Peter 2:23: Luke 23:34). "Ye shall be as gods" was the height of ambition that men aspired to very soon. Behold an allowable way how we may be like our Lord!

(b)  Ye will show a generous contempt of the impotent malice of an evil world (Luke 21:19). The moon retains her brightness though the cur barks at her.

(c)  Ye will show yourselves masters of your own spirit (Proverbs 16:32).

(d)  Ye may overcome him that wrongs you (ver. 20).

(2) Consider the wrong done to God by your revenging yourselves. Ye impeach —

(a)  His justice, as if He, like Gallio, cared for none of there things.

(b)  His wisdom, saying in effect that God's method of vengeance is not fitted to reach the end.

(c)  His veracity, and refuse to believe His word, that He will repay.

(3) Revenge is a most ensnaring thing. It is a sacrifice to passion, and involves the soul in guilt sometimes past remedy.

(4)  It is inconsistent with peace with heaven and pardon (Matthew 6:15).

4. Objections:(1) The Scripture saith "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." Answer: That was the law, the execution of which was committed to the magistrate, and does not belong to private persons.

(2) If we put up with one injury, we will get more. Answer: Ver. 20 says not so.

(3) It is not manly not to revenge affronts and wrongs. Answer: It is childishness. It is brutishness; anger a dog, and he will be ready to fly at your face. It is foolishness (Ecclesiastes 7:9). Was David not manly that revenged not himself on Saul? Saul says otherwise (1 Samuel 24:18-21).

(4) How then should we do in the ease of affronts and wrongs?

(a)  Arm yourselves with meekness and patience.

(b)  Learn to bear with one another, and to be always ready to forgive (Colossians 3:13; Matthew 18:21, 22).

(c)  In matters of weight, where redress is necessary, apply to those for it who are vested with authority for that end (chap. Romans 13:4). Only do it not from a spirit of revenge.

(d)  Where redress is not to be expected, put the matter in the Lord's hand, and wait for Him (Proverbs 20:22).

(e)  Live by faith, keeping your eye on Christ the fountain of strength, the pattern of meekness, and on the judgment to come, when justice shall be done to every one.

(T. Boston, D.D.)

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KJV: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

WEB: Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."