Originally Posted by BOWSINGER
Personal Injury
“…thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. ” — Exodus 21:23-25
“…ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” — Matthew 5:39


I will address this one yet because it represents a different category from the others.

Under the OT judicial law a wronged person could seek redress with an eye for an eye etc...
In the NT Jesus introduced a change in conduct and told His followers not to seek the eye for an eye because under the new covenant of grace we have all been forgiven much and if we have experienced forgiveness we also should be willing to extend it to others--even at a loss.
Matt. 5:38 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.

The NT still upholds the right of the government to bear the sword in punishment of evil but Jesus is teaching His followers to forgive and not to always demand justice for every personal offense. But again, this does not in any way limit the government's right to punish lawbreakers.

Rom.13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.