Executing, in the biblical context, often refers to the carrying out of justice, judgment, or punishment as ordained by God or through human authorities established by Him. The concept of execution is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's holiness, justice, and the moral order He established.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, execution is frequently associated with the administration of justice according to the Mosaic Law. The Law given to Israel included various capital offenses, and execution was the ultimate penalty for crimes such as murder, idolatry, blasphemy, and certain sexual sins. For instance, in Exodus 21:12, the law states, "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies must surely be put to death." This reflects the principle of retributive justice, often summarized as "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24).

Execution was also seen as a means to purge evil from the community and maintain the holiness of God's people. Deuteronomy 17:12-13 emphasizes this: "The man who acts presumptuously by refusing to listen to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel. Then all the people will hear and be afraid, and will no longer behave arrogantly."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the focus shifts from the legalistic execution of the Law to the spiritual implications of justice and mercy. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, often highlighted the spirit of the Law rather than its letter. For example, in John 8:7, when confronted with the woman caught in adultery, Jesus said, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her." This underscores the importance of mercy and self-reflection in the administration of justice.

The New Testament also acknowledges the role of governing authorities in executing justice. Romans 13:4 states, "For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. He is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer." This passage affirms the legitimacy of civil authorities in executing justice, as they are seen as instruments of God's order.

Theological Implications

Theologically, execution in the Bible points to the seriousness of sin and the necessity of justice. It reflects God's character as both just and merciful. The execution of justice is ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty for sin on behalf of humanity. Isaiah 53:5 prophesies this redemptive act: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."

In the eschatological sense, the Bible speaks of a final execution of judgment where God will judge the living and the dead. Revelation 20:12-13 describes this scene: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books."

Conclusion

The biblical concept of executing justice serves as a reminder of the gravity of sin and the holiness of God. It calls believers to uphold justice while extending mercy, reflecting the character of God in their lives.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Execute.1558. ekdikos -- exacting penalty from, avenging
... Cognate: 1558 -- someone executing a judgment, carrying out what is which can
include administering punishment for the wicked. See 1557 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1558.htm - 7k

5257. huperetes -- an underling, servant
... and , "to row") -- properly, a rower (a crewman on a boat), an "under-rower" who
mans the oars on a lower deck; (figuratively) a executing official orders, ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5257.htm - 7k

6213a. asah -- do, make
... 1), done* (1), earns (1), established (1), establishes (1), evildoer* (2), evildoers*
(1), execute (24), executed (10), executes (5), executing (1), exercise (1 ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

8199. shaphat -- to judge, govern
... 3), deliver (1), Dispense (1), enter into judgment (6), entered into judgment (1),
entering into judgment (1), execute judgment (1), executing judgment (1 ...
/hebrew/8199.htm - 6k

Whether Life is Properly Attributed to God?
... Accordingly there are things that move themselves, not in respect of any form or
end naturally inherent in them, but only in respect of the executing of the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether life is properly attributed.htm

Misused Respite
... to which it all tends. I. Note the delay in executing sentence. Every 'evil
work' is already sentenced. 'He that believeth not,' said ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/misused respite.htm

On Predestination to Salvation, and on Damnation Considered in the ...
... the world does not appertain to the beauty of the universe.6. Creation in the upright
state of original righteousness is not a means for executing the decree ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/on predestination to salvation and.htm

My Judgment Respecting the Two Last Described Schemes of ...
... Since the fall of Adam is already laid down to be necessary, and, on that account,
to be a means for executing the preceding decree of Predestination; creation ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/4 my judgment respecting the.htm

John Chapter v. 24-30
... in Himself, so also hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself;" in that He
is the Son of man, "He hath given Him authority of executing judgment." This ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxii john chapter v.htm

How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
... from the right path: and hence he is properly said to incline, harden, and blind
those whom he deprives of the faculty of seeing, obeying, and rightly executing ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 how god works.htm

These Things which You have Said are Read by all who Know Latin ...
... though they were, yet blushed through their own consciousness of guilt; since they
were sinners, they would not appear publicly as executing vengeance on ...
/.../43 these things which you.htm

Atonement.
... 8. The design of legal penalties is to secure obedience to the precept. The same
is also the reason for executing them when the precept is violated. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm

The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of ...
... dance, with equal zest, over the spilling of human blood, (and) over those filthy
penalties which are at once their proof and plot for executing your criminals ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter x name christians are.htm

The National Preacher, Vol. 2 No. 7 Dec. 1827
... MINISTERS, of different Christian denominations, willing to aid in executing the
design, are affectionately requested to write as soon as practicable -- either ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/title page.htm

Executing (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Execute. Multi-Version
Concordance Executing (4 Occurrences). Leviticus 26:25 and ...
/e/executing.htm - 8k

Execution (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of executing; a carrying into effect or to completion; performance;
achievement; consummation; as, the execution of a plan, a work, etc. ...
/e/execution.htm - 8k

Executeth (11 Occurrences)

/e/executeth.htm - 9k

Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)
... Jehu, who was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, first slew the kinsmen
of Ahaziah. He then sought Ahaziah who was hiding in Samaria. ...
/a/ahaziah.htm - 28k

Opportunity (35 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A time or place favorable for executing a purpose;
a suitable combination of conditions; suitable occasion; chance. ...
/o/opportunity.htm - 17k

Jehu's (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 22:8 And it cometh to pass, in Jehu's executing judgment with the house
of Ahab, that he findeth the heads of Judah and sons of the brethren of ...
/j/jehu's.htm - 8k

Function (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of executing or performing any duty,
office, or calling; performance. 2. (n.) The appropriate ...
/f/function.htm - 8k

Rout (6 Occurrences)
... by persons assembled together with intent to do a thing which, if executed, would
make them rioters, and actually making a motion toward the executing thereof. ...
/r/rout.htm - 9k

Revenging (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Revenge. 2. (a.) Executing revenge;
revengeful. Multi-Version Concordance Revenging (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/revenging.htm - 6k

Executioner (1 Occurrence)
... to do," din,"to judge," "decide"; poieo, "to do"; spekoulator, Latin speculator,
"an attendant"): "Execute" in the sense of "executing judgment," "vengeance ...
/e/executioner.htm - 9k

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