What does the Bible say about the holy war?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God alone authorizes just judgment, while his people are chiefly called to peace, repentance, and spiritual warfare rather than violence for religious advance. In Deuteronomy 20:1-4, Israel's wars belonged to its unique covenant calling and depended on the Lord, not human strength. Romans 13:4 recognizes the civil ruler's limited duty to restrain evil, yet Jesus blesses peacemakers in Matthew 5:9 and forbids retaliatory violence in Matthew 26:52. Ephesians 6:10-17 directs Christians to fight with truth, righteousness, faith, and God's Word. Though wars arise from sinful desires, as James 4:1-2 says, God promises a day when nations will beat swords into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 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.
- Deuteronomy 20:1-4
[1] When you go forth to battle against your enemies, and see horses, and chariots, [and] a people more than you, you shall not be afraid of them; for Yahweh your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. [2] It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people, [3] and shall tell them, Hear, Israel, you draw near this day to battle against your enemies: don't let your heart faint; don't be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them; [4] for Yahweh your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
- Ecclesiastes 3:8
A time to love, And a time to hate; A time for war, And a time for peace.
- Matthew 24:6
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren't troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet.
- James 4:1-2
[1] Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your pleasures that war in your members? [2] You lust, and don't have. You kill, covet, and can't obtain. You fight and make war. You don't have, because you don't ask.
- Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called children of God.
- Ephesians 6:10-17
[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. [14] Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
- Matthew 26:52
Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword.
- 1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
- Isaiah 2:4
He will judge between the nations, And will decide concerning many peoples; And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning-hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war any more.
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