How do you decide which verse to follow?
An eye for an eye or Turn the other cheek?
I am not being sarcastic, I am curious.
2007-03-25 10:04:01 · 10 answers · asked by Epona Willow 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
One must look at both verses and interpret them in alignment with the overall scriptures. Many make the mistake of forming entire theologies around one verse. This is incorrect hermeneutics.
Old Testament
Lev 24:20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him.
Retribution was a basic principle of law; wrongs had to be righted. Softness brought the law into disrepute. The law of retaliation is scoffed at today in the Western world, but thoughtful people will not dismiss it.
(a) In ancient society, punishment was often out of all proportion with the wrong done. Retaliatory punishment was thus a great step toward true justice.
(b) Furthermore, rehabilitative punishment—the alternative most frequently suggested—suffers from subjectivism. Who is to decide when a man is rehabilitated, ready to rejoin society? The terms may be lenient today, but what of tomorrow?
True justice is an eye (and not more) for an eye.
New Testamnet
Mat 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
The law said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Exo_21:24; Lev_24:20; Deu_19:21). This was both a command to punish and a limitation on punishment—the penalty must not exceed the crime. However, according to the OT, authority for punishment was vested in the government, not in the individual.
5:39-41 Jesus went beyond the law to a higher righteousness by abolishing retaliation altogether. He showed His disciples that, whereas revenge was once legally permissible, now non-resistance was graciously possible.
Jesus instructed His followers to offer no resistance to an evil person. If they were slapped on one cheek by someone, they were to turn the other to him also. If they were sued for their tunic (an inner garment), they were to surrender their cloak (an outer garment used for covering at night) as well. If an official compelled them to carry his baggage for one mile, they were to voluntarily carry it two miles.
Humanly speaking, such behavior as Christ calls for here is impossible. Only as a person is controlled by the Holy Spirit can he live a self-sacrificing life. Only as the Savior is allowed to live His life in the believer can insult (v. 39), injustice (v. 40), and inconvenience (v. 41) be repaid with love.
This is “the gospel of the second mile” and the correct interpetation today.
2007-03-25 10:24:36 · answer #1 · answered by Ask Mr. Religion 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The first answer you received is the correct one.
I'm a Christian Preacher, writer and Evangelist and yes there have been times in my life when my verse was an eye for an eye.
But the teachings of Christ say turn the other cheek.
2007-03-25 17:33:11 · answer #2 · answered by drg5609 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I follow what Jesus said when he said don't follow the eye for an eye teaching. He said to love your neighbor and turn the other cheek. You can't take the things out of context from the old testament and say they are what we should do.
2007-03-25 17:29:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is not for us to administer our own punishment, we are to forgive. the eye for an eye context in which you speak is the old testament commandments, so that the people could govern themselves. as Christians we no longer must follow the law but do out of love for God. The law was merely in place to in a way define sin, and to show the people of then and today that we are sinners and are not adequate in Gods eyes, save through Jesus.
2007-03-25 17:11:19 · answer #4 · answered by may 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those who lean unto there own understanding of scripture are leading others astray and blinded by their "pride!" But this has to occur for the Kingdom of God is coming to this earth and establish His way as the only way.
Pride is man's downfall. The End of the circle of man's self rule will be the beginning of Christ's Kingdom but that "pride" must be broken first!
2007-03-25 17:14:48 · answer #5 · answered by אידיאליסטי™ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus said don't treat evil with evil treat evil with good and i found out that if you turn the other cheek you are going to get hit again so he is saying pray for those that dispitfully use you or is mean to you don't rally evil with evil.
2007-03-25 17:13:39 · answer #6 · answered by Fisherofmen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you turn the other cheek, you won't lose an eye. Simple but effective.
2007-03-25 17:12:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
An eye for an eye is not a Christian teaching and wasn't mentioned in the new testement.
2007-03-25 17:10:12 · answer #8 · answered by rhymingron 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I imagine it depends on the situation which verse they would use to justify whatever they wish to justify.
2007-03-25 17:12:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whichever gets me what I want.
2007-03-25 17:12:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋