What does it mean when God says, “I will repay” (Romans 12:19)?

In Romans 12:19, the apostle writes, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Here, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 32:35 to establish why believers should not take matters into their own hands. God is the ultimate judge. He sees every unjust act committed. Believers should trust in God’s perfect timing and judgment. He will avenge. He will repay. God’s perfect justice should instill confidence in His plan.

When God says, “I will repay,” He reminds believers of His sovereign justice. God is the supreme ruler. He does not allow the world to run amuck without accountability. He will address every sin and wrongdoing, if not in this life, then in the one to come. Knowing that justice will be served, God’s sovereignty should make us feel secure. We should not retaliate against others when we are wronged; instead, we should trust that God’s justice surpasses our own. Psalm 94:1–2 says, “The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth. Rise, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.” The psalmist knows justice is in God’s hands. We must rest in that same knowledge.

I will repay does not encourage passive acceptance of wrongdoing, though. We must still call out and challenge wrongdoing when we experience it. However, we should never take personal revenge against others. That is God’s prerogative. When we try to dispense justice our own way, in our own time, we inevitably mess things up. Seeking true justice is about addressing the wrong righteously and fairly; seeking revenge is about inflicting harm or suffering on the wrongdoer.

Proverbs 20:22 says, “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.” God’s justice is not delayed or ineffective. He operates on a different timeline than we do and knows how to handle every situation best. His plan considers factors we cannot begin to see. Because God sees the big picture, we must release the desire to exact revenge against people who wrong us. Our revenge is unrighteous and riddled with mistakes, but God judges righteously and perfectly.

God’s promise, “I will repay,” implies a restoration to those who have been wronged. God’s justice is more than “evening the score.” He also heals us when we are wronged. Isaiah 61:8 says, “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness, I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.” God punishes the wrongdoing and blesses the sufferer. He will never forget to care for those who have been wronged.

Moreover, God’s commitment, “I will repay,” calls believers to a high standard of forgiveness. Jesus exemplified a forgiving attitude when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Jesus teaches us to have the same attitude in Matthew 5:44: “I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” When we trust in God’s promise to repay, Jesus’ teaching to forgive and pray for our enemies is possible. Knowing God has the matter well in hand, we can move forward with peace, love, and joy. We do not need to carry the burden of revenge.

God’s assurance, “I will repay,” reminds us of our need for God’s grace and mercy. There are situations that cause us to yearn for God to exact justice, but we must also remember God’s grace and mercy. We have received of His goodness, and we should seek to extend that goodness to others. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). As we have been forgiven, we must forgive. If any “repayment” is needed, God will see to it.