The concept of vindication in the Bible is deeply rooted in the justice and righteousness of God. To vindicate means to clear someone of blame or suspicion, to justify, or to prove right. In the biblical context, it often refers to God's action in defending or justifying His people, His character, or His plans.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, vindication is frequently associated with God's deliverance of His people from their enemies and His establishment of justice. One of the most prominent examples is found in the Psalms, where the psalmists often cry out for God to vindicate them against their adversaries. Psalm 26:1 states, "Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering." Here, the psalmist appeals to God’s justice, seeking divine affirmation of his righteousness.

The theme of vindication is also evident in the account of Job. Despite his suffering and the accusations of his friends, Job maintains his integrity and ultimately seeks vindication from God. In Job 13:18 , he declares, "Behold, now I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated." Job's account illustrates the belief that God will ultimately justify the righteous, even when human understanding fails.

Prophets and Vindication

The prophets frequently spoke of God's vindication of Israel. Isaiah, in particular, emphasizes this theme. In Isaiah 54:17 , the prophet assures Israel, "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me, declares the LORD." This promise underscores God's commitment to defend His people and establish their righteousness before the nations.

New Testament

In the New Testament, the concept of vindication is closely tied to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate act of vindication, affirming His identity as the Son of God and His victory over sin and death. Romans 1:4 states that Jesus "was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead." This declaration serves as divine vindication of His mission and message.

Believers, too, are promised vindication through Christ. In Romans 8:33-34 , Paul writes, "Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us." This passage assures Christians that their ultimate vindication is secured through the intercessory work of Christ.

Eschatological Vindication

The Bible also speaks of a future, eschatological vindication. In the final judgment, God will vindicate His people and His justice will be fully revealed. Revelation 19:1-2 proclaims, "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His servants." This vision of the end times assures believers that God’s justice will prevail, and His people will be vindicated before all creation.

Throughout Scripture, the theme of vindication highlights God's faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate authority over all creation. It reassures believers of God's righteous judgment and His unwavering commitment to uphold truth and justice.6663. tsadeq -- to be just or righteous
... 1), made your appear righteous (2), properly restored (1), proved right (1),
proved...righteous (1), right (4), righteous (9), vindicated (1), vindicates (1). ...
/hebrew/6663.htm - 6k

The Epistle to Philemon this Epistle not Mutilated. Marcion's ...
... to Individuals. Conclusions. Tertullian Vindicates the Symmetry and Deliberate
Purpose of His Work Against Marcion. To this epistle ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxi the epistle to philemon.htm

Works which Hallow the Sabbath
... and of the text to pass unchallenged, and accepts the statement that His disciples
had been doing what was unlawful on the Sabbath, and vindicates their breach ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/works which hallow the sabbath.htm

The Siege of Jericho
... There is the protracted trial of it, in doing an apparently useless thing;
and there is the victory, which explains and vindicates it. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the siege of jericho.htm

Appendix i. Pericope De Adultera.
... On close and careful inspection, the mysterious texture of the narrative, no less
than its edifying and eminently Christian' character, vindicates for the ...
/.../appendix i pericope de adultera.htm

Translator's Biographical Notice.
... Nic., sec. ii. chap. 10. [Bull always vindicates where he can do so, on the principle
of justice, for which I have contended on pv (prefatory) of vol. iv.]. ...
/.../the writings of theognostus of alexandria/translators biographical notice.htm

Preface by the Translator.
... seen to have fully apprehended the force of all the objections that could be urged
against his teachings, and with convincing ability he vindicates them from ...
/.../preface by the translator.htm

Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it ...
... But as it was a very small thing to him to be judged of man's judgment, (1 Corinthians
4:3,) he calmly vindicates himself, by declaring that there was a cause ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ii of the nature.htm

Wide Scope of the Word Idolatry.
... Footnotes: [163] [This solemn sentence vindicates the place I have given
to the De Idololatria in the order adopted for this volume. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on idolatry/chapter i wide scope of the.htm

Debate on the Proposed Invasion of Greece.
... His apologies."Artabanus opposes the war."Repulse of Datis."Artabanus warns Xerxes
of the danger of the expedition."Artabanus vindicates the character ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter iii debate on the.htm

The Necessity of Actual Grace
... 1. The Vatican Council vindicates the native power of the human intellect when it
says: "The Catholic Church, with one consent, has ever held and does hold ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 1 the necessity of.htm

Vindicates (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Vindicates (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 50:8 He who
takes up my cause is near; who will go to law with me? let ...
/v/vindicates.htm - 6k

Vindicated (10 Occurrences)

/v/vindicated.htm - 9k

Vindicating (2 Occurrences)

/v/vindicating.htm - 7k

Justifier (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who justifies; one who vindicates, supports,
defends, or absolves. Multi-Version Concordance Justifier (1 Occurrence). ...
/j/justifier.htm - 6k

Defender (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who defends; one who maintains, supports,
protects, or vindicates; a champion; an advocate; a vindicator. ...
/d/defender.htm - 8k

Avenger (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) One who avenges or vindicates; as, an avenger
of blood. 2. (n.) One who takes vengeance. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/a/avenger.htm - 17k

Advocate (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader;
as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth. ...
/a/advocate.htm - 11k

Sin (782 Occurrences)
... violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence
against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law ...
/s/sin.htm - 82k

Paraclete
... The Spirit as Paraclete convicts the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment.
Jesus Christ as Paraclete vindicates believers before God. LITERATURE. ...
/p/paraclete.htm - 17k

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