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Turning the Other Cheek
March 23, 2019

Turning the other cheek is a better known teaching atttributed to Jesus and found in Matthew chapter five. Some mistake this teaching to believe they must accept any mistreatment that may be given to them. Jesus was not teaching that Christians need to accept mistreatment by others. The original teaching from the Old Testament was about receiving retribution; a repayment for a wrong committed against you. For instance if in the course of any activity, somebody injured your eye and caused it to lose sight, it was acceptable to cause that person to lose sight in one of their eyes. Instead of retribution, Jesus was teaching the concept of mercy.

Matthew 5:38-42
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Jesus went on to add thoughts regarding our enemies, those that hate us, those who use us. Jesus said to love our enemies instead of seeking retribution and to be merciful because our Hevaenly Father is also merciful. In so doing, our reward will be great.

Luke 6:27-36
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Paul later wrote to esteem others in the faith and to be patient with all men. We are to comfort the feebleminded, and support the weak, while cautioning those who are unruly. We are to see that evil is not rendered for evil, but that good triumphs.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Together, we are imperfect people living in an imperfect world, where evil abounds. It is easy to let our love grow cold because of the evil we see. Instead we are to insist on good so that good may triumph over evil, and it begins with the very small step of turning the other cheek, not seeking retribution.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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