Romans 12:19
What does Romans 12:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 12:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 12:19 means
Retaliation is forbidden. Believers are not to avenge themselves but to leave room for God’s wrath. Scripture assures that the Lord will repay; justice is His prerogative. This frees the believer from the burden and poison of personal revenge. Trusting God’s judgment allows us to pursue reconciliation where possible and to endure wrong without sinning. It does not negate the proper role of authorities, but it forbids private vengeance. Faith looks beyond immediate payback to God’s righteous timing. Yielding the right to retaliate is an act of worship—acknowledging God as Judge and relinquishing control to His perfect wisdom.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do not give punishment for wrongs done to you, dear brothers, but give way to the wrath of God; for it is said in the holy Writings, Punishment is mine, I will give reward, says the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to the wrath, for it hath been written, `Vengeance <FI>is<Fi> Mine,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890not avenging yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written, Vengeance [belongs] to me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.
Context
After urging peace as far as possible, Paul states the central prohibition against personal vengeance and anchors it in God’s promise to repay. This theological grounding is key for the next step: responding to enemies with tangible kindness in verse 20. Without confidence in God’s justice, doing good to enemies would seem naive. With it, kindness becomes an instrument of God’s purposes. The section is moving toward its climax in verse 21: overcoming evil with good.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah.
- 1 Samuel 25:33
and blessed be thy discretion, and blessed be thou, that hast kept me this day from bloodguiltiness, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
- Hebrews 10:30
For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
- Luke 6:27
But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you,
- 1 Thessalonians 4:6
that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.
- Proverbs 20:22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee.
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