![]() ![]() Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. ![]() So, aren’t we supposed to be telling abuse and domestic violence victims that God wants them to stay in the abuse, make themselves available for more abuse, let the abuser keep right on withholding money and resources from them, and wait for God to reward them on that Day? You have the same thing in the parallel passage in Matthew: ![]() I was recently asked this very good question. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Can you help me understand these passages in light of how we are to treat the abuser? Jesus seems to teach us two diametrically opposed responses to those who do evil - one of which is found in these verses. ![]()
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