—By Michael A. Graham
Conviction: Why I Am Speaking About This Now
This past week, I was convicted.
After preaching on Romans 12:14–18, I realized almost at once that I had failed to speak to something crucial: those who suffer under abuse and injustice right now. The Holy Spirit has not let me move on from this, and as I have studied Romans 12:19–21, that conviction has only deepened.
Part of this conviction comes from what I have seen and heard. I have walked alongside those who bear deep wounds—wounds not from enemies on a battlefield but from those who should have been their protectors. Some of them are close to me, and their suffering is not unique.
I have also heard heartbreaking stories from those who serve in the military, from those in our communities, and from those within the church. The weight of abuse—physical, emotional, sexual, spiritual—is not carried by a few but by many. Too many.
If this is true—if there are entire communities where abuse is the norm, not the exception—then how many among us are carrying this silent suffering?
And now, as I study Romans 12:19–21, I see even more clearly that misreading Scripture can deepen this suffering instead of offering hope.
Correcting a Dangerous Misreading of Romans 12:19
Some translations render Romans 12:19 as:
“Never avenge yourselves.”
But that is not what Paul wrote.
The Greek phrase μὴ ἑαυτοὺς ἐκδικοῦντες is better translated:
“Stop avenging yourselves.”
This is not a universal rule forbidding justice—it is a corrective command to believers who were already seeking personal retaliation.
Paul is not saying:
❌ “Justice must never be sought.”
❌ “Victims must remain in harm’s way.”
❌ “Christians should never report wrongdoing.”
Instead, he is saying:
✅ “Do not take justice into your own hands—entrust it to God.”
✅ “Do not be consumed with revenge—God will bring justice in His time.”
Misreading this passage as a categorical ‘never’ has led to real harm, particularly for those in abusive situations.
What This Passage Does Not Mean
1. The Greek does not say “never avenge yourselves.”
• If Paul meant “never,” he would have used οὐδέποτε (meaning “never at any time”), but he does not.
• Instead, he tells the believers in Rome to stop avenging themselves—because God’s justice will come.
2. This passage does not command Christians to remain in harmful situations.
• Some have wrongly implied from this verse that victims must stay silent, endure, and never seek justice.
• But Paul never commands anyone to remain under oppression or mistreatment.
• Instead, he is saying justice belongs to God, not to personal revenge.
3. This passage is not about avoiding legal justice.
• Some misinterpret Romans 12:19 to suggest that seeking justice through legal means is unbiblical.
• However, Paul himself appealed to Roman law when he was mistreated (Acts 22:25).
• In Romans 13:4, Paul says that governing authorities are God’s servants to carry out justice.
• This means that seeking protection from harm or pressing charges against an abuser is NOT a violation of Romans 12:19.
What This Passage Does Mean
1. Paul is addressing a desire for personal retaliation.
• Some believers in Rome were tempted to seek revenge for injustices they had suffered.
• Paul’s instruction is: Stop taking justice into your own hands—entrust it to God.
2. “Give place to wrath” means trusting God’s justice.
• The phrase δότε τόπον τῇ ὀργῇ (Romans 12:19) means “step aside and allow space for God’s justice.”
• Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 32:35:
“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
• This is not passive resignation—it is an active trust in God’s justice.
3. “Overcoming evil with good” does not mean tolerating evil.
• Some have interpreted Romans 12:21 (“Overcome evil with good”) to mean “just let evil happen”—but that’s not what Paul is saying.
• Overcoming evil means refusing to become like it.
• We resist evil, not by mirroring it, but by responding in a way that reflects God’s righteousness.
A Word to Those in Harm’s Way
1. God never calls you to stay in harm’s way.
• If you are in a situation where you are being harmed—physically, emotionally, spiritually—this passage does not command you to stay.
• Jesus did not stay silent before unjust treatment—He confronted abusers (John 18:22–23).
• Paul fled danger when necessary (Acts 9:25, Acts 17:10).
2. Seeking help is not revenge—it is wisdom.
• If you are suffering, seek wise counsel, reach out for help, and trust that God’s justice is working even when you cannot see it.
• Call the police if you are in immediate danger—even if your abuser is a pastor, elder, family member, or even me.
What About Children? What About Racial Abuse?
1.Children are often the most vulnerable.
• Abuse against children is particularly heinous because they cannot protect themselves.
• Jesus reserved His strongest words for those who harm them:
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
2. Racial abuse is an affront to God’s image.
• Every person is made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), and to degrade someone based on race is to attack the handiwork of God Himself.
• Overcoming evil includes standing against racial injustice, oppression, and discrimination.
A Word to Abusers: Repent Before It Is Too Late
If you have harmed someone, repent now. Do not wait.
God’s kindness calls you to repentance (Romans 2:4).
No matter how great the sin, this is not the unpardonable sin. Jesus said:
“Whoever comes to Me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)
But true repentance does not mean escaping earthly consequences. If you have broken the law, turn yourself in. Submit to justice. If convicted, serve your sentence with humility and own what you have done.
Prison does not make you a lemon. God has redeemed men and women behind bars, using them for His glory. There is hope even for the worst of sinners, but it requires coming fully into the light.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
But if you refuse to repent, if you hide your sin, deny it, or blame others, then know this:
“Be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)
There is no escape from the truth. Every hidden thing will be revealed. God will not be mocked.
Final Hope: No One Escapes God’s Justice
Even if justice is not served now, no one will ever escape God’s justice in the end.
For victims, this is a comfort—no one gets away with anything.
For abusers, this is a warning—your day is coming.
Jesus said:
“Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Luke 12:2–3)
No one silences the truth forever.
A Warning to Christian Leaders Who Abuse Their Position
There is no greater betrayal than when a pastor, elder, or Christian leader—someone entrusted to shepherd God’s people—uses their position to manipulate, harm, or abuse those under their care.
God holds spiritual leaders to a higher standard:
“It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2)
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1)
If you are in Christian ministry and have engaged in any form of abuse—spiritual, emotional, sexual, physical, financial—repent now.
✔ Step down from ministry immediately.
✔ Confess your sin fully—no excuses, no minimizing.
✔ If you have broken the law, turn yourself in.
God is not impressed with religious titles or outward appearances. If you are hiding sin behind a pulpit, the longer you cover it up, the greater your fall will be.
Paul warned:
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)
It is far better to confess now, before the judgment of God fully falls on you.
Jack Miller once said (paraphrase):
“You might as well confess as much as you can now, because a lot more is coming out.”
That was a call for pastors to lead in repentance, but it applies here as well:
Confess now, before you are exposed later.
No one escapes the light of Christ—whether in this life or on the day of judgment.
Turn to Christ while there is still time.
