Turn The Other Cheek ?

[Lewis]

Matthew 5:39 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.


Now I have heard a theologian' say that Jesus said that statement in humor. I for one believe that. Because God does not expect you to stand there and take a beat down. Or should I say let somone beat you to death. This topic is along the lines of what we talked about many months ago. About if someone came in your home and tried to hurt your wife and kids' what are you supposed to do' just stand there' while they rape your wife and beat your kids ? My answer is no' God expects for you to defend yourself. And God does not expect you to stand there and take a beat down' and not protect yourself. But you have some Christians who will tell you stand there and take it. Some can' but not everybody is on the same spiritual level. And God knows that' God knows that not everyone is able to take that. But then again He does not want you to stand there and let someone beat you to death. So I am bringing this up once more' to see what the comments will be this time. And even if you are on a high spiritual level' you are to defend yourself.

 

[golfjack]

reply

I believe Jesus is referring to harmful words directed at us. Words can't harm us. But we certainly don't have to turn the other cheek when someone is about to harm us or others.



May God bless, golfjack

 

[Poke]

Now I have heard a theologian' say that Jesus said that statement in humor. I for one believe that. Because God does not expect you to stand there and take a beat down.

Jesus didn't say turn the other cheek out of humor. He exaggerated to make a point.

 

[ttg]

Note that Jesus specifically says the "right cheek." Since 80% of people are right handed, a strike to the face would typically be to the left cheek.

I think Jesus is speaking about a back-handed blow, or slap that would be considered a challenge to fight. It's not an outright attack that you would immediately have to defend yourself from. Thus, you are asked to make a decision to accept to fight, or stand there and say "Hey, I'm not going to fight you."

So its not about allowing yourself to be beaten down, stabbed, choked or killed. Its about making a decision on whether or not to accept a challenge based on your pride or ego.

 

[peace4all]

Note that Jesus specifically says the "right cheek." Since 80% of people are right handed, a strike to the face would typically be to the left cheek.

I think Jesus is speaking about a back-handed blow, or slap that would be considered a challenge to fight. It's not an outright attack that you would immediately have to defend yourself from. Thus, you are asked to make a decision to accept to fight, or stand there and say "Hey, I'm not going to fight you."

So its not about allowing yourself to be beaten down, stabbed, choked or killed. Its about making a decision on whether or not to accept a challenge based on your pride or ego.

But are you turnign the right cheek towards the punch, or away from the punch?

I think what it means (my opinion here) Is ignore it if possible. if its something you can't ignore, act responsibly.

Someoen takes one swing at you, Fine, you did it, whatever. Someoen takes more, fight back, defend yourself.

 

[Voyageur]

Now I have heard a theologian' say that Jesus said that statement in humor.

Now how could a theologian prove that Jesus said such a statement in jest?

Its intepretation, folks. Interpretation.

 

[Voyageur]

If someone interprets Mary Shelly's Frankenstein as a book about a monster, then they are clearly disregarding or unaware of other interpretations. Frankenstein is also about hubris, madness, who really is the monster?: Victor or his creation?, science versus ethics, rejection, etc.

And so it goes with the Bible. There are many interpretations. No one is an ultimate authority on the words of the Bible. Even Biblical scholars will admit as much. Yet, this fact does not stop people on this site from claiming pre-eminent understanding of the Bible.

 

[scutato]

Now I have heard a theologian' say that Jesus said that statement in humor.

Now how could a theologian prove that Jesus said such a statement in jest?

Its intepretation, folks. Interpretation.

Indeed, but some things really are black and white. God expects us to get certain truths from the Bible, otherwise what's the purpose? Regardless that we have interpretation at our disposal, there's one thing that should keep all true Christians from straying too far: the Holy Spirit. We're not alone in our reading of the Bible.

If I read the Bible front to back, and decided that the Bible was telling me that the Meaning of Life (tm) was to reach our Perfect State as Homosexual Graham Crackers, I'm sure you would agree that the Holy Spirit did not guide me to that conclusion.

 

[Lewis]

Note that Jesus specifically says the "right cheek." Since 80% of people are right handed, a strike to the face would typically be to the left cheek.

I think Jesus is speaking about a back-handed blow, or slap that would be considered a challenge to fight. It's not an outright attack that you would immediately have to defend yourself from. Thus, you are asked to make a decision to accept to fight, or stand there and say "Hey, I'm not going to fight you."

So its not about allowing yourself to be beaten down, stabbed, choked or killed. Its about making a decision on whether or not to accept a challenge based on your pride or ego.

But are you turnign the right cheek towards the punch, or away from the punch?

I think what it means (my opinion here) Is ignore it if possible. if its something you can't ignore, act responsibly.

Someoen takes one swing at you, Fine, you did it, whatever. Someoen takes more, fight back, defend yourself.

Mark this down folks, because I agree with peace4all. I mean are you to stand there when a person is getting ready to take your head off' with a baseball bat ? I sure hope not.

 

[lovely]

Hi everyone,

Matthew 5:38-42
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 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.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
to love even our enemies

I think this is an example, as with much of the Christ's sermon, of Him giving us an understanding of the true meaning of the law. Notice verse 38, this is an example of punishment fitting the crime. It was distorted, though. People were using it for revenge. It was not meant for the ones offended to use it as personal retaliation against the offender. (which is what was happening, and still is) Jesus is stressing, and clarifying, the true meaning (principal) here of believers not needing the law. Not only are we not to use the law for our own personal gain, and revenge, but we are to lay down our personal rights, and put God, and others, before ourselves. We count nothing a loss for His sake, and give up all for an opportunity to show His love in us. This really has nothing to do with personal physical defense...it's a picture of something more. A willingness of the believer to deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Christ and His Way...not the world's. The Lord bless all of you.

 

[MrVersatile48]

'Defend the weak' is always in context of physical attack/threat

Romans 13 shows duty to restrain evil forcibly too

& defines good Govt as encouraging the good & punishing evil - so evil ones that persecute the good & promote/reward evil are NOT ordained of God

Judges, Kings, Chronicles etc have many examples of God ordering violent overthrow of oppressive & evil rulers

He met many soldiers & never told any to leave the army

Exodus 20 means 'You shall not murder'

Hebrew has different words for duly authorised judicial execution & for proper defence of the realm: neither are forbidden

Death penalty for murder & proportionate corporal punishment of ABH/GBH are in Moses' Law - given by God

Jesus returns @ Armageddon & slaughters Antichrist armies - Joel 3, Zechariah 14 & Revelation 16-19

He once told disciples, "If any of you doesn't have a sword, sell your cloak & buy one"

Must go

Ian

 

[peace4all]

was that also a reference to hamurabi's code?

 

[Lewis]

He once told disciples, "If any of you doesn't have a sword, sell your cloak & buy one"

And yes He did say that.