Why does Romans 12:19 sound contradictory?
Romans 12:19 states 'beloved do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to "WRATH"; for its is written, "vengeance is mine, I will repay" says the Lord'. This sounds contradictory to me, as I feel the sentence should have said 'do not avenge yourselves NOR give place to wrath'? For it is written......... What do you think? May be I misinterpreted it? Help me understand. God bless
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Asked October 20 2017
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Aizehi Onoigboria
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RICK PORTER
The NASB version of Romans 12:19 agrees somewhat with your reading of this verse. It seems the context is Paul advising Christians that God will look out for them in the end, thus don't be overtaken by revenge. The verses around verse 19 Paul says repaying evil with evil is not Godly. Also living in peace is always the best course. Paul knew that government authority wasn't always kind to Christians but God has given authority to the institution to dispense justice. Romans 13:1-4. God's vengeance that brings wrath is always just; our revenge is sometimes brought on by ill indwelled heated passion.
Tim Maas
I agree that the wording of this verse may seem confusing, but I think that when Paul said, "Give place to wrath", he was referring to aggrieved Christians leaving the matter of "getting even" for the grievance to the wrath of God (that is, yielding, or giving place, to Him), rather than allowing their own personal wrath or revenge to be displayed or put into action. I see this as being supported by the fact that Paul immediately followed up his instruction to give place to wrath by paraphrasing Deuteronomy 32:35, which speaks of the prerogative of avenging a wrong as belonging to God.
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