Injustice, a deviation from what is right or fair, is a reality that has persisted throughout human history. The Bible acknowledges the presence of injustice in the world and provides guidance for believers on how to respond to it. From a biblical perspective, saints—those set apart by God—are called to bear injustice with patience, trusting in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty.

Biblical Foundation

The call to bear injustice patiently is rooted in the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers to respond to wrongdoing with grace and patience. Matthew 5:39 states, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." This teaching emphasizes a radical response to injustice, one that defies natural human inclinations toward retaliation.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this principle in his epistles. In Romans 12:17-19 , Paul writes, "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.'" Here, believers are encouraged to trust in God's justice rather than seeking personal retribution.

Examples from Scripture

The Bible provides numerous examples of saints who bore injustice patiently. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers and later imprisoned unjustly in Egypt, exemplifies patience in the face of severe injustice. Despite his circumstances, Joseph remained faithful to God, ultimately rising to a position of power and using it to save many lives (Genesis 37-50).

Similarly, the Apostle Paul endured numerous injustices, including imprisonment and beatings, for the sake of the Gospel. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 , Paul recounts his sufferings, yet he remains steadfast in his mission, demonstrating patience and trust in God's plan.

Theological Implications

Bearing injustice patiently is not an endorsement of wrongdoing but a testament to a believer's faith in God's ultimate justice. It reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and timing. James 5:7-8 encourages believers to be patient, "Therefore be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near."

This patience is not passive but active, involving prayer, perseverance, and a commitment to righteousness. It is a call to embody the character of Christ, who, "when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23).

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, bearing injustice patiently involves a commitment to living out the principles of the Gospel in everyday life. It means responding to personal and societal injustices with a spirit of forgiveness, love, and hope. It also involves advocating for justice in a manner consistent with biblical teachings, seeking to reflect God's love and righteousness in a broken world.

In summary, the biblical call to bear injustice patiently is a profound expression of faith and trust in God's ultimate justice. It challenges believers to rise above the natural desire for retribution and to embody the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.1 Corinthians 6:7
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Beginning and Rise of the Romish Papacy, Till it Attained a ...
... It is very difficult to bear patiently that one ... limit, he does great and atrocious
injustice not only ... slayer and murderer of the saints, should be, nevertheless ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 of the beginning.htm

we have not only so high a pattern, but so excellent a motive
... 4. There is a public interest of saints, mutual edification ... charity rejoices in no
iniquity or injustice, though it ... own due, though it alone should come behind ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter ii i .htm

Second Sunday after Easter
... So everyone may, and should, reprove when official duty ... time, relieve the innocent
victim of injustice, and his ... and distress upon Christ and his saints as upon ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after easter.htm

The Fifth Book
... have no claim on the little farms that should rightly be ... lot is made more bitter
by a worse injustice still. ... Some of the saints wonder that the others who have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fifth book.htm

Hail, Jesus;
... other, who humbly acknowledged his own injustice, and with a ... best Beloved, that Thy
mellifluous Heart should be wounded ... And with all the Saints I may bless and ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/hail jesus.htm

The Eighth Book
... but accusing God of laziness and abuse and injustice? ... or quite impossible that a
man should love in ... lived in constant wickedness, but the saints in constant ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the eighth book.htm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... Patience bears evil and injustice; but longsuffering delays punishment ... True, the
text quoted says we should be kind, but ... way Christ is in his saints, and beware ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday after epiphany.htm

Letter xvi. Charity.
... esteem himself "less than the least of all saints;" and where ... do unto others as we
would they should do to ... The injustice is the more aggravated, because it is ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter xvi charity.htm

Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life ...
... worry, labor and sorrow; that there should exist any ... them, behind the oppressor's
wrong, the injustice and tyranny ... must not conclude that the Saints and holy ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/xi surely goodness and mercy.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... case of dishonesty, fraud, double-dealing, injustice, or the ... thrown open to them,
and the saints possessed the ... Gospel character of a Christian should be theirs ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm

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