I've been wondering about the passage in the Bible that says if someone strikes you on the cheek, you should offer the other one, too. If someone slaps you on the cheek, that's not an offense meant to cause harm. But if someone balls up his fist and nails you, does the verse preclude self-defense? I don't think so, but I'd like to hear others' thoughts about this.
2007-03-24 05:56:00 · 2 answers · asked by Who Knew? 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What did Jesus do? Did he ever fight back?
Remember there is more at stake than this life. In the next world there will be no violence. Lets hold out for it.
2007-03-24 07:17:08 · answer #1 · answered by SEOplanNOW.com 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I dont think this is a commandment. I think its a description of how someone will act when he's following the Christian commandments.
There are only two commandments, to love your God and your neighbour.
If you love your neighbor but he "strikes you", you may or may not defend yourself, depending on what's best for his soul.
So Jesus was demonstrating the radicalness of his love - he did nothing for himself at all! All of his actions were for the benefit "His Father in heaven", and of the souls of everyone he dealt with. When he was nearly put to death, he was saved only because "it wasn't his time yet".
2007-03-24 07:51:06 · answer #2 · answered by the good guy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋