Injustice: Forbidden
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Topical Encyclopedia
Injustice, as understood within the biblical context, refers to the violation of God's standards of righteousness and fairness. The Bible consistently condemns acts of injustice, emphasizing God's desire for His people to live in accordance with His just and holy nature.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation against injustice, highlighting God's character as just and righteous. In Deuteronomy 16:19-20 , the Israelites are commanded, "Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you." This passage underscores the importance of impartiality and integrity in judicial matters.

The prophets frequently spoke against societal injustices. In Isaiah 1:17 , the call is clear: "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." Here, the emphasis is on active engagement in rectifying wrongs and protecting the vulnerable.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues the theme of justice, with Jesus Christ exemplifying and teaching the principles of fairness and righteousness. In Matthew 23:23 , Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." This highlights the priority of justice in the life of a believer.

The apostle Paul also addresses injustice in his epistles. In Romans 12:17-19 , he instructs, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" This passage encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate justice rather than taking matters into their own hands.

God's Justice and Human Responsibility

The Bible portrays God as the ultimate judge who will bring about perfect justice. Psalm 9:7-8 declares, "But the LORD abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment. He judges the world with justice; He governs the people with equity." This assurance of divine justice provides a foundation for human responsibility to act justly.

Believers are called to reflect God's justice in their own lives. Micah 6:8 succinctly summarizes this calling: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse encapsulates the biblical mandate to pursue justice as an integral part of one's walk with God.

Conclusion

The biblical prohibition against injustice is clear and unequivocal. From the laws given to Israel to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, the call to justice is a central theme that reflects God's character and His expectations for His people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Leviticus 19:15,35
You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: you shall not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 16:19
You shall not wrest judgment; you shall not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift does blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether the Prohibitive Precepts Relating to the vices Opposed to ...
... Reply to Objection 2: All guile and fraud committed in matters of injustice, can
be understood to be forbidden in the prohibition of calumny (Lev.19:13). ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the prohibitive precepts relating.htm

What are the Sins Forbidden in the Eighth Commandment?
... Answer: The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the ...
false weights and measures, removing land marks, injustice and unfaithfulness ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 142 0 0 what are the.htm

Whether Respect of Persons is a Sin?
... persons. Objection 3: Further, no injustice or sin can be in God. ... sin. On the
contrary, Nothing but sin is forbidden in the Divine law. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether respect of persons is.htm

Jesus Before Caiaphas
... Patient endurance is not forbidden to remonstrate with insolent injustice, if
only its remonstrance bears no heat of personal anger in it. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/jesus before caiaphas.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Clerics and Bishops to Fight?
... wolf hurt him, and dares not stand up against his injustice." Therefore it is ... time;
wherefore those who are deputed to important duties are forbidden to occupy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for.htm

The Teaching of the Apostles in Opposition to Jewish and Gentile ...
... are against the law; the one whereof is impiety, the other injustice, and, in ... All
these things are forbidden by the laws; for thus say the oracles: "Thou shalt ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v the teaching of the.htm

Book 2
... be considered by each person; whence it follows that we are forbidden to do ... The design
of the Eighth Commandment is, that, since injustice is an abomination to ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/book 2.htm

Whether it is a Sin to Take Usury for Money Lent?
... In like manner he commits an injustice who lends wine or wheat, and asks for ... Reply
to Objection 2: The Jews were forbidden to take usury from their brethren ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is a sin.htm

1 Timothy iv. 3-Jan
... The fish was not forbidden, though it was manifestly more unclean than the ... destructive
a passion is avarice, that to grow rich without injustice is impossible. ...
/.../homily xii 1 timothy iv.htm

Of the Reason for Fasting and Its Value.
... time in such a way that sometimes we should do what is forbidden or omit ... love, nor
on the other hand is a licence ever granted for injustice, impatience, wrath ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvii of the reason.htm

Resources
What is black liberation theology? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about anger? | GotQuestions.org

Was it unfair for God to allow Job to suffer over what was basically an argument between God and Satan? | GotQuestions.org

Injustice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Injustice

Injustice of the Least Kind, Condemned

Injustice: A Bad Example Leads To

Injustice: Ahab

Injustice: Brings a Curse

Injustice: Covetousness Leads To

Injustice: Festus

Injustice: Forbidden

Injustice: General Scriptures Concerning

Injustice: God: Abominates

Injustice: God: Approves not of

Injustice: God: Hears the Cry of Those Who Suffer

Injustice: God: Provoked to Avenge

Injustice: God: Regards

Injustice: Intemperance Leads To

Injustice: Jews

Injustice: Judas

Injustice: Pilate

Injustice: Potiphar

Injustice: Priests

Injustice: Princes

Injustice: Punishment of

Injustice: Saints should Bear, Patiently

Injustice: Saints should Hate

Injustice: Saints should Take No Vengeance For

Injustice: Saints should Testify Against

Injustice: Sons of Samuel

Injustice: Specially to be Avoided Towards: Servants

Injustice: Specially to be Avoided Towards: The Poor

Injustice: Specially to be Avoided Towards: The Stranger and Fatherless

Injustice: The Wicked: Deal With

Injustice: The Wicked: Judge With

Injustice: The Wicked: Practise, Without Shame

Related Terms

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Iniquity (299 Occurrences)

Injustices (1 Occurrence)

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences)

Plot (53 Occurrences)

Injury (21 Occurrences)

Wherefore (448 Occurrences)

Vindication (14 Occurrences)

Uses (15 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Joyfully (37 Occurrences)

Judgments (146 Occurrences)

Law-suits (1 Occurrence)

Grievance (7 Occurrences)

Gross (12 Occurrences)

Well-conceived (1 Occurrence)

Wrongs (26 Occurrences)

Wrong (391 Occurrences)

Inflict (25 Occurrences)

Injuring (4 Occurrences)

Injure (16 Occurrences)

Infer (1 Occurrence)

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)

Fairly (8 Occurrences)

Favoritism (7 Occurrences)

Tyrant (2 Occurrences)

Tried (96 Occurrences)

Revenues (7 Occurrences)

Reconsider (2 Occurrences)

Reaping (10 Occurrences)

Rapacity (2 Occurrences)

Exaction (2 Occurrences)

Endure (90 Occurrences)

Earning (2 Occurrences)

Devices (43 Occurrences)

Defense (49 Occurrences)

Devised (35 Occurrences)

Denounce (8 Occurrences)

Defer (7 Occurrences)

Defeated (88 Occurrences)

Desist (12 Occurrences)

Dealt (130 Occurrences)

Defeat (16 Occurrences)

Misdeed (1 Occurrence)

Mareshah (8 Occurrences)

Mischievous (13 Occurrences)

Mete (7 Occurrences)

Partiality (26 Occurrences)

Partial (14 Occurrences)

Builds (18 Occurrences)

Case (138 Occurrences)

Cunningly (3 Occurrences)

Crafty (15 Occurrences)

Calamities (16 Occurrences)

Appeal (30 Occurrences)

Assessor

Submit (36 Occurrences)

Striving (33 Occurrences)

Shuts (12 Occurrences)

Succeeding (7 Occurrences)

Sides (170 Occurrences)

Sweeps (10 Occurrences)

Smitten (215 Occurrences)

Shilling (8 Occurrences)

Services (12 Occurrences)

Stake (2 Occurrences)

Devise (41 Occurrences)

Malice (24 Occurrences)

Finds (71 Occurrences)

Neighbor's (31 Occurrences)

Worse (62 Occurrences)

Weight (143 Occurrences)

Integrity (46 Occurrences)

Helpless (27 Occurrences)

Swept (43 Occurrences)

Calamity (108 Occurrences)

People's (37 Occurrences)

Sarai (13 Occurrences)

Injustice: Festus
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