The statement “Vengeance is mine” comes from Romans 12:19, which says “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” This verse is part of a passage where Paul is teaching believers how to live as members of the body of Christ. He instructs them not to take revenge when wronged, but instead trust that God will ultimately right all wrongs.
The concept behind this verse is that retaliation for wrongs is not the responsibility of individuals, but rather of God alone. There are several important implications of this teaching:
1. Vengeance belongs to God alone
The statement “vengeance is mine” indicates that vengeance is God’s prerogative, not man’s. Deuteronomy 32:35 says “Vengeance is mine, and recompense.” Only God has the right to avenge and repay wrongdoing in the way He deems just. Human beings are limited in knowledge, perspective, and objectivity. But God possesses perfect understanding and moral authority to deal justly with evil actions.
As Romans 3:19 declares, “the whole world [is] accountable to God.” He has absolute right to judge sin because He is holy, righteous, and just. In contrast, human judgments tend to be skewed by subjective emotions like anger, hatred, and pride. Thus, vengeance is reserved for God alone to dispense without flaw.
2. Taking personal revenge is forbidden
The command “never avenge yourselves” clearly prohibits personal retaliation or revenge. Rather than taking matters into their own hands, Christians are called to trust the Lord to judge rightly. This applies even when someone has seriously harmed or wronged you.
Scripture condemns vengeance as a manifestation of hatred and wrath. Leviticus 19:18 states “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.” It poisons human relationships and escalates cycles of violence. Romans 12 makes it clear that vengeance has no place in Christian conduct, even when wronged.
3. God will fully repay all wrongs
A key truth of “vengeance is mine” is that God promises to fully repay all wrongdoing. The verse says He will “repay” on behalf of those who refrain from personal revenge. God is the ultimate judge and lawgiver. He will deal justly with unpunished sins, in this life or the next. No one will escape His judgment (Hebrews 4:13).
This means victims of wrongdoing can trust God to make right what was done against them, instead of taking matters into their own hands. Romans 12:19 assures that divine retribution will come to evildoers, if not immediately then ultimately on the final day. God will balance all accounts and execute perfect justice.
4. Vengeance is resolved by Jesus’ sacrifice
Ultimately, God’s vengeance was satisfied by giving His Son Jesus to die for sinners. On the cross, divine wrath was poured out fully on Christ instead of those who deserved it (Isaiah 53:5; Romans 3:25). This supreme display of justice and mercy allows God to show grace to those who repent, while the impenitent suffer His wrath.
So believers can trust that no wrong against them is overlooked by God. His love was demonstrated at the cross. And if He spared not His own Son, He will also justly punish those who persist in evil (Romans 8:32). In light of Christ’s sacrifice, Christians can be assured of divine vengeance against wrongs while refraining from personal retaliation.
5. Vengeance is contrary to the Christian ethic of love
Seeking personal revenge is incompatible with the Christlike virtue of love. Scripture commands believers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Blessing others, even if they have harmed you, is the godly response.
As Romans 12:14, 17-21 explains, Christians should “bless those who persecute you”, “repay no one evil for evil”, “live peaceably with all”, and “overcome evil with good”. This golden rule was demonstrated by Christ, who prayed for the forgiveness of those crucifying Him (Luke 23:34). A spirit of grace and mercy should characterize kingdom citizens, not retaliation.
6. Believers must overcome natural desire for vengeance
Though banning personal vengeance, the Bible recognizes the innate human longing to return harm for harm. Unchecked, this desire swells into destructive hatred and brutality. So believers must resist the natural urge towards retaliation when wronged, and choose to trust God instead.
By taking revenge into our own hands, we usurp God’s authority, doubt His faithfulness, and fail to rely on His power for justice. As Romans 12:21 summarizes, we should “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”. Though difficult, refusing vengeance is necessary to honor God and break the spiral of retaliation.
7. Vengeance ultimately leads to destruction
Personal vengeance inevitably escalates conflict rather than resolving it. Scripture warns that violence and wrath breed more of the same. As Proverbs 10:6 says, “violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.” Vengeance often hurts innocent people and can even turn back on those seeking revenge.
In contrast, leaving justice with God allows His mercy to prevail when possible, prevents further harm, and stops the cycle of retaliation. This aligns with Proverbs 24:29 – “Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.” Wait patiently for the Lord to handle the situation.” Therefore, refraining from vengeance is wise as well as godly.
8. Civil authorities are appointed to execute limited justice
While individual Christians should refrain from personal vengeance, God has appointed civil authorities to exercise a limited, delegated authority to execute justice and restrain evil in society. Governing rulers “bear the sword” as God’s servants and do not wield their own vengeance but are called to carry out God’s (Romans 13:1-4).
However, human justice remains imperfect. So Scripture instructs that ultimate vengeance still belongs to God alone. The role of governments is not open-ended but carefully circumscribed under God’s sovereignty and higher law. Their judgments should be guided by principles of public justice and order, not personal retaliation.
9. Eschatological vengeance completed in Revelation
The Bible’s storyline culminates in the book of Revelation’s depiction of God’s eschatological wrath and judgment against evil. The martyrs pictured under the altar cry out, “How long until you judge and avenge our blood?” (Revelation 6:10). God’s response is to affirm that the “great day of their wrath has come” when He will “destroy those who destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:18, 6:15-17).
His vengeance reaches completion in the final judgment, when Satan, the beast, false prophet, and all evildoers are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10-15). So God’s full vengeance, though delayed, will be fulfilled. Evil will not ultimately triumph but will be vanquished under divine justice.
10. Waiting on God’s vengeance requires faith and patience
Though God promises perfect recompense and justice, waiting on His timing requires faith and patience. Psalm 94:1 expresses the tension believers feel: “O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth!” But we are called to trust God’s wisdom in when and how He repays the wicked.
Habakkuk prayed similarly for justice, but God said it would come later (Habakkuk 1:1-5). God may delay vengeance to allow time for repentance. But we can have confidence that no evil escapes His notice or fails to move Him to righteous anger. When we ache for justice, we must believe His promise and timing are perfect.
In summary, the verse “vengeance in mine” primarily teaches that retaliation belongs to God alone, not humans. Seeking personal revenge is prohibited, while evil must be overcome with good. God promises to fully repay all wrongs in His time, assuring justice will prevail. This was accomplished ultimately through Christ’s sacrifice, satisfying God’s wrath. While waiting on God’s justice, believers must refrain from vengeance with faith and patience.