Justice: The Wicked: Afflict Those Who Act With
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the concept of justice is deeply intertwined with the character of God and His expectations for human conduct. Justice, as portrayed in the Scriptures, is not merely a legal or social construct but a divine mandate that reflects God's holiness and righteousness. The wicked, however, are often depicted as those who pervert justice, particularly by afflicting those who act justly.

The Bible provides numerous accounts and teachings that highlight the tension between the wicked and the just. The wicked are frequently described as those who oppress and persecute the righteous, seeking to undermine the principles of justice that God has established. This affliction of the just by the wicked is a recurring theme, illustrating the moral and spiritual conflict that exists in a fallen world.

One poignant example is found in the book of Psalms, where the psalmist laments the prosperity of the wicked and their oppression of the righteous. Psalm 37:12-13 states, "The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming." Here, the wicked are portrayed as actively plotting against those who live uprightly, yet the assurance is given that God is aware of their actions and will ultimately bring justice.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks to this issue, condemning those who pervert justice and oppress the innocent. Isaiah 10:1-2 declares, "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless." This passage underscores the divine disapproval of those who exploit their power to harm the vulnerable and distort justice.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself addresses the affliction of the just by the wicked. In the Beatitudes, He pronounces a blessing on those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, affirming that theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10). This teaching highlights the reality that those who pursue justice and righteousness may face opposition and suffering at the hands of the wicked, yet they are promised divine reward and vindication.

The apostle Paul also acknowledges the struggle between the wicked and the just, encouraging believers to persevere in doing good despite opposition. In Romans 12:17-19 , he 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.'"

Throughout Scripture, the affliction of the just by the wicked serves as a reminder of the brokenness of the world and the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil. Yet, the Bible consistently affirms that God is a God of justice who will ultimately right all wrongs and vindicate those who have suffered for righteousness' sake.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 12:4
I am as one mocked of his neighbor, who calls on God, and he answers him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 5:12
For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Justice of God
... God lets those prosper under whose wing his people are ... How does this stand with God's
justice? ... some good in the godly, therefore the wicked afflict them; there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 the justice of god.htm

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... But though afterwards his power to afflict the saint ... of reaching God, only illustrate
his justice, when the ... that while by means of the wicked God performs what ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm

Allegation 2 "We Teach that God Ordained Men to Hell-Fire, and ...
... or detriment to His justice, punish and afflict eternally His ... it is contrary to the
divine justice to punish ... to slay the righteous with the wicked" (Genesis 18 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/allegation 2 we teach that.htm

How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
... The Lord permits Satan to afflict his servant; and the ... as he pleases, he makes
subservient to his own justice. They, as they are wicked, give effect to the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 how god works.htm

The Providence of God
... now God comes with a humbling providence to afflict them and ... Shimei cursed David,
it was wicked and sinful, for it was ... it was an act of God's justice to punish ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/14 the providence of god.htm

2 Thessalonians i. 1, 2
... it, as if he had said, that the justice of God ... intelligence; he says not here those
who afflict you, but ... great power as to withdraw us from wicked actions, how ...
/.../homily ii 2 thessalonians i.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... of mien, flying resistlessly to destroy or afflict; as beings ... the worshiper of the
gods, to cause justice to prevail in the land, to destroy the wicked and the ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

Advantages of Revelation Above Natural Reason.
... pleasures and advantages of society, afflict their bodies ... beauty of fortitude,
temperance, and justice, is sufficient ... inward compunctions of a wicked, as well ...
/.../sect v advantages of revelation.htm

David's Anger
... mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul ... many weak, enslaved, tortured,
butchered at the wicked will of ... a living God, a God of justice and mercy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iii davids anger.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts Regarding Foreigners were Framed in ...
... he that feareth Him and worketh justice is acceptable ... shalt not molest a stranger,
nor afflict him; for ... my words are just, there is nothing wicked nor perverse ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts regarding.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about social justice? | GotQuestions.org

How do God's mercy and justice work together in salvation? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is a God of justice? | GotQuestions.org

Justice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Justice

Justice: Apostles

Justice: Brings Its own Reward

Justice: Christ, an Example of

Justice: Commanded

Justice: David

Justice: General Scriptures Concerning

Justice: Gifts Impede

Justice: God: Delights In

Justice: God: Displeased With the Want of

Justice: God: Gives Wisdom to Execute

Justice: God: Requires

Justice: God: Sets the Highest Value On

Justice: Joseph

Justice: Josiah

Justice: Moses

Justice: Promises To

Justice: Saints should Always Do

Justice: Saints should Pray for Wisdom to Execute

Justice: Saints should Receive Instruction In

Justice: Saints should Study the Principles of

Justice: Saints should Take Pleasure in Doing

Justice: Saints should Teach Others to Do

Justice: Samuel

Justice: Solomon

Justice: Specially Required in Rulers

Justice: The Wicked: Abhor

Justice: The Wicked: Afflict Those Who Act With

Justice: The Wicked: Banish

Justice: The Wicked: Call not For

Justice: The Wicked: Pass Over

Justice: The Wicked: Scorn

Justice: To be Done in Buying and Selling

Justice: To be Done in Executing Judgment

Justice: To be Done: To Servants

Justice: To be Done: To the Fatherless and Widows

Justice: To be Done: To the Poor

The Justice of God is a Part of his Character

The Justice of God: Acknowledge

The Justice of God: Declared to be without Respect of Persons

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Impartial

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Incomparable

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Incorruptible

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Plenteous

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: The Habitation of his Throne

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Undeviating

The Justice of God: Declared to Be: Unfailing

The Justice of God: Denied by the Ungodly

The Justice of God: Exhibited in all his Ways

The Justice of God: Exhibited in Forgiving Sins

The Justice of God: Exhibited in His Government

The Justice of God: Exhibited in His Judgments

The Justice of God: Exhibited in Redemption

The Justice of God: Exhibited in The Final Judgment

The Justice of God: Magnify

The Justice of God: Not to be Sinned Against

Related Terms

Equity (19 Occurrences)

Pervert (18 Occurrences)

Justly (22 Occurrences)

Judicial (2 Occurrences)

Right (4703 Occurrences)

Judgment (430 Occurrences)

Judging (141 Occurrences)

Executes (11 Occurrences)

Deprive (17 Occurrences)

Judge (297 Occurrences)

Suit (15 Occurrences)

Executed (39 Occurrences)

Bribe (27 Occurrences)

Injustice (32 Occurrences)

Sanhedrin (19 Occurrences)

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)

Blindness (7 Occurrences)

Maintain (50 Occurrences)

Execute (83 Occurrences)

Orphan (25 Occurrences)

Quench (14 Occurrences)

Vindication (14 Occurrences)

Upheld (15 Occurrences)

Wrest (8 Occurrences)

Reconcilation

Administered (9 Occurrences)

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Oppressor (28 Occurrences)

Perverted (26 Occurrences)

Loves (97 Occurrences)

Uphold (30 Occurrences)

Dike

Due (93 Occurrences)

Needy (83 Occurrences)

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Paths (65 Occurrences)

Ought (130 Occurrences)

Just (1529 Occurrences)

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Latter (91 Occurrences)

Wick (10 Occurrences)

Ignored (6 Occurrences)

Fugitive (12 Occurrences)

Tyrannize (1 Occurrence)

Righteously (22 Occurrences)

Robbed (27 Occurrences)

Establishing (18 Occurrences)

Diadem (9 Occurrences)

Mall (1 Occurrence)

Moderately (1 Occurrence)

Mint (2 Occurrences)

Paralyzed (11 Occurrences)

Practiced (22 Occurrences)

Partial (14 Occurrences)

Punishment (417 Occurrences)

Prevails (6 Occurrences)

Bribes (14 Occurrences)

Beset (16 Occurrences)

Conscience (36 Occurrences)

Controversy (21 Occurrences)

Chastisement (24 Occurrences)

Chastening (11 Occurrences)

Alms (13 Occurrences)

Almsgiving (3 Occurrences)

Administer (10 Occurrences)

Surrender (18 Occurrences)

Dispute (37 Occurrences)

Woe (102 Occurrences)

Affliction (120 Occurrences)

Violence (98 Occurrences)

Sanctification (13 Occurrences)

Wormwood (10 Occurrences)

Gate (248 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Habitation (90 Occurrences)

Delighted (56 Occurrences)

Deny (48 Occurrences)

Justice: The Wicked: Abhor
Top of Page
Top of Page