violence
What does the Bible say about violence? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
11 passages · most helpful first
6The Lord questions the just and the impious. Yet he who loves iniquity, hates his own soul.
52Then Jesus said to him: “Put your sword back in its place. For all who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. 53Or do you think that I cannot ask my Father, so that he would give me, even now, more than twelve legions of Angels? 54How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must be so?”
31Do not rival an unjust man, and do not imitate his ways.
18Iniquity will no longer be heard in your land, nor devastation and destruction in your borders. And salvation will occupy your walls, and praise will occupy your gates.
38You have heard that it was said: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil, but if anyone will have struck you on your right cheek, offer to him the other also.
2to speak evil of no one, not to be litigious, but to be reserved, displaying all meekness toward all men.
4For he is a minister of God for you unto good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid. For it is not without reason that he carries a sword. For he is a minister of God; an avenger to execute wrath upon whomever does evil.
19Now the works of the flesh are manifest; they are: fornication, lust, homosexuality, self-indulgence, 20the serving of idols, drug use, hostility, contentiousness, jealousy, wrath, quarrels, dissensions, divisions, 21envy, murder, inebriation, carousing, and similar things. About these things, I continue to preach to you, as I have preached to you: that those who act in this way shall not obtain the kingdom of God.
3not a drunkard, not combative but restrained, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
30For we know that he has said: “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
1But accept those who are weak in faith, without disputing about ideas.