The concept of "repays" in the Bible often refers to the divine principle of retribution or recompense, where God rewards or punishes individuals according to their actions. This principle is deeply rooted in the justice and righteousness of God, who is portrayed as the ultimate judge of human behavior.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of God repaying individuals is frequently associated with His covenant relationship with Israel. God promises blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. This is clearly articulated in Deuteronomy 32:35, where God declares, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay." This verse underscores the belief that God will ultimately bring justice, avenging wrongs and rewarding righteousness.

The Psalms also reflect this theme. Psalm 62:12 states, "And loving devotion belongs to You, O Lord. For You will repay each man according to his deeds." Here, the psalmist acknowledges God's fairness and His commitment to justice, emphasizing that God will recompense individuals based on their actions.

Prophetic Literature

The prophets often spoke of God's retributive justice. In Jeremiah 51:56, the prophet declares, "For the LORD is a God of recompense; He will repay in full." This assurance of divine justice served as both a warning to the wicked and a comfort to the righteous, affirming that God would not overlook sin but would repay it accordingly.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the principle of repayment is reiterated, often in the context of final judgment. Romans 12:19 advises believers, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" This passage encourages Christians to trust in God's justice rather than seeking personal revenge, highlighting the belief that God will ultimately repay all according to His perfect justice.

The Book of Revelation also speaks to this theme. Revelation 22:12 records Jesus saying, "Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done." This eschatological promise assures believers that Christ will return to repay each person, rewarding the faithful and punishing the wicked.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical teaching on repayment has significant moral and ethical implications for believers. It serves as a deterrent against sin, reminding individuals that their actions have consequences. It also provides hope and encouragement, assuring the faithful that their righteous deeds will not go unnoticed by God.

Furthermore, the concept of divine repayment underscores the importance of living a life that aligns with God's will. Believers are called to trust in God's justice, knowing that He will ultimately repay each person according to their deeds, whether in this life or the life to come.591. apodidomi -- to give up, give back, return, restore
... 1), make some return (1), must (1), paid (3), pay (2), pay...back (1), pay back
(3), render (6), repay (8), repayment to be made (1), repays (1), returning (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/591.htm - 9k7999a. shalem -- to be complete or sound
... 1), performing (1), performs (1), present (1), recompense (3), recompenses (1),
render (2), rendering (2), repaid (3), repay (19), repays (3), restore (2 ...
/hebrew/7999a.htm - 6k

Whether the Repayment of Gratitude Should Surpass the Favor ...
... Objection 2: Further, if one person repays another more than he has received by
his favor, by that very fact he gives him something his turn, as it were. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the repayment of gratitude.htm

After Saying what Return must be Made for the Service of the Above ...
... 244]. 166. One repays the fruit of a service done him, and repays it, gold
with gold, silver with silver. Another gives his labour. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxxii after saying what.htm

1 Timothy iii. 10-Aug
... He repays a hundred-fold here, and eternal life is superadded hereafter,
yet do we not lay up our treasure there! "But," you say ...
/.../homily xi 1 timothy iii.htm

John iii. 12, 13
... For he who confers a benefit in the first instance, gives evident proof of his kindness,
but he who has received one, whatever return he makes, he repays as a ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvii john iii 12.htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... The camel conceals its resentment for a long time after it has been struck,
until it finds an opportunity, and then repays the wrong. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

The Blame of Our Misdeeds not to be Cast Upon God the one Power ...
... and by which withal He is offended, He does not will"so too, on the contrary, what
He does will, He enjoins and sets down as acceptable, and repays with the ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter ii the blame of our.htm

Eldad and Medad
... is known of these two men beyond the incident recorded in the Book of Numbers; but
this is so remarkable and significant, that it well repays careful study. ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/eldad and medad.htm

When God Takes Away Our Children from Us, it is a Very Affecting ...
... c]. This makes the Toil of Education easy and delightful: And truly 'tis very early
that we begin to find a Sweetness in it, which abundantly repays all the ...
/.../1 when god takes away.htm

Of Religion.
... For if God confers nothing good on any one, if He repays the obedience of His
worshipper with no favour, what is so senseless, what so foolish, as to build ...
/.../a treatise on the anger of god addressed to donatus/chap viii of religion.htm

Endurance
... life. God repays those who make sacrifices for conscience' sake, I verily
believe, in most cases, a hundred fold in this life. In ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xxi endurance.htm

Repays (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Repays (5 Occurrences). 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See
to it that no one ever repays another with evil for evil ...
/r/repays.htm - 7k

Repayment (6 Occurrences)

/r/repayment.htm - 8k

Opportunities (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See to it that no one ever repays another with evil for evil;
but always seek opportunities of doing good both to one another and to all ...
/o/opportunities.htm - 7k

Repealed (3 Occurrences)

/r/repealed.htm - 7k

Requites (4 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 7:10 and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them: he
will not be slack to him who hates him, he will repay him to his face. ...
/r/requites.htm - 7k

Requite (42 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 7:10 and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them: he
will not be slack to him who hates him, he will repay him to his face. ...
/r/requite.htm - 18k

Meshelemiah (4 Occurrences)
... me-shel-e-mi'-a (meshelemyah, "Yah repays"): Father of Zechariah, one of the porters
of the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 9:21; 1 Chronicles 26:1, 2, 9). In the ...
/m/meshelemiah.htm - 8k

Pays (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:15 See to it that no one ever repays another with evil for evil;
but always seek opportunities of doing good both to one another and to all ...
/p/pays.htm - 10k

Slack (19 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 7:10 and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them: he
will not be slack to him who hates him, he will repay him to his face. ...
/s/slack.htm - 12k

Shelemiah (10 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Whom Jehovah repays. (1.) Ezra 10:39. (2.) The father
of Hananiah (Nehemiah 3:30). (3.) A priest in the time of Nehemiah (13:13). ...
/s/shelemiah.htm - 12k

What does Psalm 137:9 mean when it says, “Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks”? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean not to give the appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus