In the Bible, the phrase «Vengeance is mine» is found in Romans 12:19.
Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19
What does «vengeance is mine» mean in the Bible?
The phrase «vengeance is mine» comes from a powerful moment in the Bible, specifically in Romans 12:19. Here, it’s like God is gently reminding us, His cherished children, to hold back from taking matters into our own hands when we’ve been wronged. Instead, He asks us to step aside and leave room for His divine justice. He’s saying, «Trust me on this one. When someone does you wrong, I’ve got your back. I’ll make sure justice is served in My own perfect timing and way.»
Now, this doesn’t mean we should just sit back and do nothing when faced with injustice. It’s more about where our hearts are at. God knows how easy it is for anger and the desire for payback to take over, and He’s cautioning us against letting those feelings control us. It’s like holding a burning coal, intending to throw it at someone else; we’re the ones who get burned first. So, He’s telling us, «Let it go. Give it to Me. I see everything, and I promise to take care of it.»
This is a big ask, I know. It goes against what feels natural to us. When we’re hurt, we want to hurt back, to make things ‘fair.’ But God’s asking us to operate on a different level, to show the world a different way to live—a way that’s about healing, not hurting. It’s about showing the kind of love and forgiveness that can only come from a deep trust in God. It’s about believing that God’s justice is more perfect, more fair, and more healing than anything we could dish out.
So, when God says, «Vengeance is mine,» He’s inviting us into a place of peace and trust. He’s asking us to let go of the bitterness and anger that can eat away at our souls. He’s promising to take care of the wrongs, in His way and His time, so we can be free to live in love and peace, the way He intended. It’s a call to live differently, to be examples of God’s love and forgiveness in a world that’s quick to anger and slow to forgive. And in doing that, we find a freedom and peace that’s far beyond anything revenge could ever offer.