In the Christian life, the concept of submitting to injuries is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. This principle is not about passivity or weakness but reflects a profound strength and trust in God's justice and sovereignty. The Bible provides guidance on how believers are to respond to personal offenses and injuries, emphasizing forgiveness, patience, and love.

Biblical Foundation

The teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount provide a foundational understanding of how Christians are to respond to injuries. In Matthew 5:38-39 , Jesus instructs, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." This radical call to non-retaliation challenges believers to rise above the natural inclination for revenge and instead demonstrate the transformative power of grace.

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his epistle to the Romans. In Romans 12:17-19 , he writes, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. 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.'" Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of leaving justice in God's hands, trusting that He will address wrongs in His perfect timing.

Forgiveness and Love

Central to the Christian response to injury is the call to forgive. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18:21-22 highlights the boundless nature of forgiveness: "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!'" This instruction underscores the limitless grace that believers are to extend to others, mirroring the forgiveness they have received from God.

Furthermore, love is the driving force behind submitting to injuries. In 1 Peter 4:8 , the apostle Peter exhorts, "Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Love empowers Christians to overlook offenses and seek reconciliation, prioritizing relationships over personal vindication.

The Example of Christ

The ultimate example of submitting to injuries is found in Jesus Christ Himself. In 1 Peter 2:21-23 , Peter writes, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.' When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." Jesus' response to suffering and injustice serves as the model for all believers, demonstrating humility, patience, and unwavering trust in the Father.

Practical Application

In practical terms, submitting to injuries involves a conscious decision to respond to offenses with grace and humility. It requires believers to cultivate a heart of forgiveness, seeking to understand and empathize with those who wrong them. This conduct is not about condoning wrongdoing but about choosing a higher path that reflects the character of Christ.

Believers are encouraged to pray for those who persecute them, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:44 : "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This act of prayer not only transforms the heart of the believer but also opens the door for God's redemptive work in the lives of others.

In summary, submitting to injuries is a profound expression of Christian faith, rooted in the teachings of Scripture and exemplified by Jesus Christ. It calls believers to a life of forgiveness, love, and trust in God's ultimate justice.Matthew 5:39-41
But I say to you, That you resist not evil: but whoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 6:7
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity.
... and to regulate his words and conduct by God's ... men reject and blaspheme the Christian
doctrine and ... They must strive against them, submitting to all suffering ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventeenth sunday after trinity the.htm

A More Particular view of the Several Branches of the Christian ...
... 12) not only with respect to God, submitting to the ... a peaceful disposition." If you
are a Christian indeed, you ... have such an influence upon your conduct, as to ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xiv a more particular.htm

How Caius was Slain by Cherea.
... proposed this attempt to all the rest that were concerned, who saw the injuries
that were ... How great then is our virtue in submitting to conduct his armies ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how caius was.htm

Letter xx. Self-Examination.
... Bring the exercises of your heart, and the conduct of your life ... Do I receive him
as my Prophet, submitting my will ... 5. As to my Christian character in general. ...
/.../letter xx self-examination.htm

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed ...
... operation of law, except by meekly submitting to the ... nature of this command on every
Christian who acknowledges ... reasonableness of this rule of conduct is shown ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter i the doctrine of.htm

Elucidations.
... which they wished to make use without submitting to its ... treatise On Unity, and it
justifies his own conduct. ... a sort of brokers to the Christian community; for ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/elucidations.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... No Jewish Christian, it is said, could ever have ... and Levi is justified by the violent
conduct of these ... as a slave, Joseph all the time quietly submitting to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Of Civil Government.
... of judicial proceedings as a defence of their perverse conduct. ... we drive far away
from all Christian tribunals ... he means, that subjects, in submitting to princes ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Cestius Sends Neopolitanus the Tribune to See in what Condition ...
... come to no harm by the ill conduct of some ... make a tragical exclamation concerning
the injuries that have ... East, under the notion of peace, submitting to serve ...
/.../chapter 16 cestius sends neopolitanus.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... Every Christian man is made a king by Christ (Revelation 5:10). ... (2.) We
must pass by those injuries that other men would revenge. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

What does the Bible say about sexual harassment? | GotQuestions.org

What is Confucianism? | GotQuestions.org

What was the biblical role of the high priest? | GotQuestions.org

Conduct: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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