2. Non-Resistance to the Law
condemnation." Likewise, 1Pet 2:13, "Be subject to every kind of human ordinance, whether to the king as supreme, or to the governors, as to those sent by Him for punishing the evil and rewarding the good."
This penal law existed from the beginning of the world. For when Cain slew his brother, he was in such great terror of being killed in turn, that God specially forbade it and suspended the sword for his sake— and no one was to slay him. (Gen 4:14 f.)1 He would not have had this fear if he had not seen and heard from Adam that murderers should be slain.
Moreover God re-established and confirmed it after the Flood in unmistakable terms when
He said, "Whoever sheds man's blood, his blood shall be shed again by man." (Gen 9:6) This cannot be understood as a plague and punishment of God upon murderers; for many murderers who repent or are pardoned continue to live, and die by other means than the sword. But it is said of the right of the sword, that a murderer is guilty of death and should in justice be slain by the sword. Though justice be hindered or the sword be tardy, so that the murderer dies a natural death, the Scripture is not false on that account when it says,
"Whoever sheds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed." For it is men's fault or merit that this law commanded by God is not carried out; even as other commandments of God are broken.
Afterward it was also confirmed by the Law of Moses, Exo 21:24, "If a man presumptuously kills, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die." And again, in the same place, "A life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a foot for a foot, a hand for a hand, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise." (Exo 21:23 ff.) Christ also confirms it when He says to Peter in the garden, "He that takes up the sword shall perish by the sword," (Mat 26:52) which is to be interpreted like Gen 9:6, "Whoever sheds man's blood," etc. Doubtless Christ refers in these words to that passage and incorporates and confirms it in them. John the Baptist teaches the same. When the soldiers asked him what they should do, he answered,
"Do injustice or violence to no one, and be content with your wages." (Luke 3:14) If the sword were not divinely appointed, he would have commanded them to cease being soldiers, since he was to perfect the people and direct them in a proper Christian way. Hence it is sufficiently clear and certain that it is God's will that the sword and secular law be used for the punishment of the wicked, and the protection of the upright. (1Pet 2:14)2
2. Non-Resistance to the Law There seems to be a powerful argument on the other side. Christ says, Mat 5:38, "You have heard that it was said to them of old: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you,
That a man shall not resist evil; but if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and whoever would go to law with you to take your coat, let him have the cloak also; and whoever forces you a mile, go with him two miles." Likewise Paul, Rom 12:19,
"Dearly beloved, do not defend yourselves, but give place to God's wrath, for it is written,
Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord." Likewise Mat 5:44, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you."
1 Gen 4:14 "Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me."
15 And the LORD said to him, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the LORD set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.
2 1Pet 2:14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.