Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - June, 2005

Bible Study - Commentaries
Matthew Chapter 5: 38-42 

from Kaniyamparmabil Achen, the Great Teacher of Malankara

TEACHING ABOUT RETALIATION 

V 38-42. – You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Exodus 21:24; Levi 24:20 ; Duet 19:21 ) 

These verses contain teachings that will stun the present world as well as the old world. This verse contains the law for a Christian social behavior. 

What was told to the ancestors is seen in Exodus 21:23-25, Levites 24:19-20, Deuteronomy 19:21. The Mosaic Law did teach an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. The Laws of Hammuabi which was dated older than Mosaic laws (BC 2285-2242) also had similar retaliatory codes. It said the one should retaliate in the same way if the maltreated one is an important person. If unimportant person, then settle the dispute with some ‘goods’. 

It may look a little too barbarian. But the state of affairs before Moses was extremely cruel. If one were maltreated, then the entire tribe of that person would be destroyed as retaliation. So this law was a great progress from earlier barbarianism. But in law, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (as seen in Duet 19:18) was not to be executed person to person, but by an authority. At the same time, we should not forget that there were peaceful and loving laws (Duet 19:18; Proverbs 25; Lamentations 3:30).

The Old Testaments laws were not against retaliation to some extent. But our Lord instructs that we should not even have any retaliatory thoughts altogether. Usually it is not possible to smite on the right cheek (only the left cheek). So if one wants to smite you on your right cheek, using palm is not easy but you have to use the back of your hand. But that smite was not only more painful but also was more insulting for the Jews. So what our Lord says here is that if you have pain and insult, do not retaliate! 

Coat (tunic = inner garments) and clock (outer garments): 

The Jews had an inner garment which they worn normally (called kethoneth or kuthino) and an outer garment called ‘Marthutho’. The inner garment is used as daytime dress and also as cover during cold nights. For ordinary people, they may have two coats but only one clock. That is why it is said in Exodus 22:26 “If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset”. What all this means is that no matter how much you are enraged or whatever may be the situation, we should not retaliate. Instead, we should try to convert others by our tolerance and suffering in Christ. Do not oppose wicked because opposition increases the quarrel. It does not give a chance for conversion. Christian should not hold his own interest and rights and forget his responsibility. It is easy to convert one by suffering than by opposing him. Mar Yuhannon of Moosel says, “Son, do not oppose the adversary. But win him with your purity of heart. Show him your purity of heart. He will become your dear friend”. 

Our Lord and St. Paul did not go to court but was taken to the court. St. Paul also criticized going to the court. 

If someone asks you for help, you should not only do it wholeheartedly but do all possible help with love. In return for harassment, Christian should: 1) not retaliate 2) take a stance which will not increase the conflict 3) wholeheartedly serve the needs. 

We can see progress regarding the way of retaliation. At first, it was a barbarian style that the strong could do anything to retaliate. From that, it was limited to more moderate retaliation within constrains. But Christ changed all this by teaching no retaliation at all. But just think about what some “Christians” think and do these days.


Verse 5:42 “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you”
(Also Refer Due 15:7-11; Luke 6:34; 1 Tim 6:18) 

Our Lord shows giving as a dignified Christian character. But we have to keeps some things in mind:

a. It is not “give” if you please; it is mandatory; it is “You have to give”
b. Even though giving is for the helplessness of the person, giving should really be “ seeing Christ” in that person
c. The giving is for the poor (Isaiah 58:7; Luke 12:33)
d. It should be for preaching of the Gospel (Philippians 4:14-16), and should be given “willingly with his heart” (Exodus 25:2,2) [KJV]
e. It should not be done in order to be seen or admired (Matthew 6:1-3)
f. We should give to one who begs because we do not know if we would not beg from him tomorrow.
g. We should understand the need of the one who begs and donate.
h. The giving should hearten the giver to improve his character.
i. The poverty might have been the result of laziness (Proverbs 15:7) or walking in the ways of perverse (crooked) or being drunkard and the glutton (Proverbs 23:21). But still we should give to help liberate them from their poverty.
j. Do not reject (or be hard-hearted) to the poor (Duet 15:7); do not discriminate against a poor (James 2:2-4); defend them, deliver them (Levi 25:35; Matthew 19:21; Psalm 82:3,4)
k. In NT, many helped the poor very generically (Zacchaeus [Luke 19:8]; St. Peter and St. John [Acts 3:6], Tabitha [9:36-39]; Cornelius [Acts 10:2], the early church at Antioch [Acts 11:29-30]).
l. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this, the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to (Duet 15:10; Psalm 41:1, Acts 20:35).