“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
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. — Ekdikesis (vindication, vengeance, justice) belongs to God (theō), not humans. Deuteronomy 32:35 is cited to establish that retribution is God's prerogative. Topos (space, room) given to divine wrath means restraint—allowing God's justice to work rather than usurping it.
Church Fathers on Romans 12:19
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath. For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” Unto what wrath? To the wrath of God. Now since what the injured man desires most to see is, himself having the pleasure of revenge, this very thing he gives him in full measure, that if you dost not avenge yourself, he means, God will be your avenger. Leave it then to Him to follow up your wrongs. For this is the force of “give place…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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