Turn the other cheek

[JohnC2]

Hey guys,

It appears that Jesus statement about Turning the other cheek to those who abuse you (Matt 5:39) falls into the larger context of bowing your head in Obedience accepting a judgement which The Lord has proclaimed against a place rather than trying to kick against God’s correction. (We see them same with Jesus statement about “going the extra mile” when compelled by your captors).

Ref:

Lam 3:30-32. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.​

For the Lord will not cast off for ever:​

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.​

This is within the context of the bigger picture of God’s judgement against Jerusalem. The Righteous willingly accept God’s judgement against them because they know God and His ways.

We see similar with King David accepting scorn and abuse from Shimei as he was driven out of Jerusalem by his son Absalom. (2nd Sam 16:5-12) Once again - the context is accepting God’s judgement against you rather than fighting it.

We see the same in Hebrews 12 clearly articulated.

Yet we hear these verses parroted as if we should willingly embrace cowardice rather than courage in the face of evil when God’s judgement isn’t going out against us....

 

[bcbsr]

Hey guys,

It appears that Jesus statement about Turning the other cheek to those who abuse you (Matt 5:39) falls into the larger context of bowing your head in Obedience accepting a judgement which The Lord has proclaimed against a place rather than trying to kick against God’s correction. (We see them same with Jesus statement about “going the extra mile” when compelled by your captors).

Ref:

Lam 3:30-32. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.​

For the Lord will not cast off for ever:​

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.​

This is within the context of the bigger picture of God’s judgement against Jerusalem. The Righteous willingly accept God’s judgement against them because they know God and His ways.

We see similar with King David accepting scorn and abuse from Shimei as he was driven out of Jerusalem by his son Absalom. (2nd Sam 16:5-12) Once again - the context is accepting God’s judgement against you rather than fighting it.

We see the same in Hebrews 12 clearly articulated.

Yet we hear these verses parroted as if we should willingly embrace cowardice rather than courage in the face of evil when God’s judgement isn’t going out against us....

The principle is longsuffering. And no, it's primarily not about tolerating justified discipline. It's about tolerating injustice.

1Peter 2:
19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

 

[Dave L]

Hey guys,

It appears that Jesus statement about Turning the other cheek to those who abuse you (Matt 5:39) falls into the larger context of bowing your head in Obedience accepting a judgement which The Lord has proclaimed against a place rather than trying to kick against God’s correction. (We see them same with Jesus statement about “going the extra mile” when compelled by your captors).

Ref:

Lam 3:30-32. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.​

For the Lord will not cast off for ever:​

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.​

This is within the context of the bigger picture of God’s judgement against Jerusalem. The Righteous willingly accept God’s judgement against them because they know God and His ways.

We see similar with King David accepting scorn and abuse from Shimei as he was driven out of Jerusalem by his son Absalom. (2nd Sam 16:5-12) Once again - the context is accepting God’s judgement against you rather than fighting it.

We see the same in Hebrews 12 clearly articulated.

Yet we hear these verses parroted as if we should willingly embrace cowardice rather than courage in the face of evil when God’s judgement isn’t going out against us....

I'm not sure about the point you are making. But Christians in the NT never reverted to violence (except Peter whom Jesus rebuked). They always fled violence.

 

[JohnC2]

But....

When we wish to be grafted into the vine of Israel.... To be adopted as Sons...

Shouldn’t we accept that being adopted as sons means we receive a portion of the judgement against them and the abuse they receive when they are going through tribulation ordained by God just like we wish to receive a portion of the blessings, goodness, grace, mercy, and prosperity which is likewise ordained by God?

 

[Dave L]

But....

When we wish to be grafted into the vine of Israel.... To be adopted as Sons...

Shouldn’t we accept that being adopted as sons means we receive a portion of the judgement against them when they are going through tribulation ordained by God just like we wish to receive a portion of the blessings, goodness, grace, mercy, and prosperity which is likewise ordained by God?

Those are the broken off Jews (unbelievers) under God's wrath. Jesus is Israel along with believers.

 

[JohnC2]

1st Peter 2 primarily leans on Jesus obedience to God in his appeal. It also refers specifically to Jesus before the various Jewish and Roman leaders conducting their “trials” to bring about His crucifixion. Jesus was silent during these trials out of obedience to God.

Jesus, however, was neither silent nor passive to Evil during the rest of his prior ministry when accosted by forces bent on trying to destroy him and derail his ministry. Jesus very much stood up courageously to these attacks and several vicious shouting matches ensued - never once did Jesus back down. We also notice how Jesus provoked confrontations with the Temple Leadership by running off their licensed sellers with whips made of cords...

And even Peter himself refused to submit to Evil when he was brought before the Sanhedrin in Acts.

 

[bling]

We are disciplined for our sins by being crucified with Christ.

 

[Soyeong]

Hey guys,

It appears that Jesus statement about Turning the other cheek to those who abuse you (Matt 5:39) falls into the larger context of bowing your head in Obedience accepting a judgement which The Lord has proclaimed against a place rather than trying to kick against God’s correction. (We see them same with Jesus statement about “going the extra mile” when compelled by your captors).

Ref:

Lam 3:30-32. He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.​

For the Lord will not cast off for ever:​

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.​

This is within the context of the bigger picture of God’s judgement against Jerusalem. The Righteous willingly accept God’s judgement against them because they know God and His ways.

We see similar with King David accepting scorn and abuse from Shimei as he was driven out of Jerusalem by his son Absalom. (2nd Sam 16:5-12) Once again - the context is accepting God’s judgement against you rather than fighting it.

We see the same in Hebrews 12 clearly articulated.

Yet we hear these verses parroted as if we should willingly embrace cowardice rather than courage in the face of evil when God’s judgement isn’t going out against us....

Slapping someone in the face was considered degrading and would lower the status of the person being slapped as they were publicly shamed. There were different penalties and compensation based upon whether someone was slapped with the back of the hand or with the palm.

Matthew 5:39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Most people were right-handed, so a slap on the right cheek would be with the back of the right hand, which carried half the penalty for slapping someone on the left cheek with the palm of their right hand. By someone turning the other cheek and not going to the judge for compensation, they are taking the initiative of solving the dispute. Jesus was fulfilling the law or getting at the spirit behind it by teaching that we should show restraint in pursuing our rights and that we should be ready to suffer further injustice in order to show the true nature of the offender and provide the chance for them to refrain from further repeating the offence and thereby the chance for transformation and reconciliation. In refusing to be humiliated by turning the other cheek, they were restoring their dignity and provocatively offering to do more than what was originally demanded (in line with the surrounding verses), which in turn gives the opportunity for the offender to reconsider their action. If they continue, then their unjustness will be exposed, but if they stop, then they also restore their dignity and distance themselves from their previous action.

This is not directed at how everyone should respond in all circumstances, but rather at how people who are experiencing injustices should act when they have no other means of addressing them. This is encouraging them to actively challenge injustices, not saying that we should passively endure them. If we have more power to challenge injustices, then we have more responsibility to do so.

 

[icxn]

...Matthew 5:39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Most people were right-handed, so a slap on the right cheek would be with the back of the right hand, which carried half the penalty for slapping someone on the left cheek with the palm of their right hand...

I agree with most of what you said, not returning evil for evil and the power of accepting humiliation in transforming the offender... but... the right-cheek slap has also another interpretation. A right cheek slap is a flattering word, perhaps on account of some good word or deed of 'ours', intended to lead us astray, either from people or from the demons in the form of prideful thoughts. To such a spiritual assault we should turn our attention to our past sins, as if a left cheek, and thus humble ourselves.