What does the Bible say about how to treat your enemies?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible calls believers to respond to enemies with love, prayer, mercy, and patient trust in God’s justice rather than personal revenge. Jesus commands His disciples in Luke 6:27-28 to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, and pray for those who mistreat them. Romans 12:19-21 forbids vengeance, urging Christians to overcome evil with good and leave righteous judgment to the Lord. Matthew 5:38-39 teaches a willingness to endure personal wrong without retaliating in kind. Proverbs 24:17 warns against rejoicing when an enemy falls. This does not deny civil justice, for Romans 13:4 recognizes lawful authority, but it shapes the Christian heart after Christ’s forgiving love.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Luke 6:27-28
[27] "But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.
- Romans 12:20-21
[20] Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head." [21] Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Proverbs 24:17
Don't rejoice when your enemy falls. Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
- Romans 12:19
Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."
- Matthew 5:38-39
[38] "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' [39] But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- 1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
- Luke 10:27
He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."
- Romans 13:4
for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn't bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
- 1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
- James 4:11
Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
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