Restitution is a fundamental concept rooted in biblical teachings, providing guidelines for righting wrongs and undoing the harm caused by one’s actions. The Bible provides a wealth of verses that lay out its stand on restitution, illustrating instances where it was required and suggesting how it should be undertaken. These texts serve as moral compasses, offering wisdom on forgiveness, responsibility, and restitution.
What The Bible Teaches About Restitution?
The Bible uses stories, proverbs, and commandments to convey the principle of restitution, encouraging us to return what we have wrongly taken and repair any harm we’ve caused. It paints restitution as a tangible demonstration of remorse and repentance. It outlines circumstances in which restitution is necessary, such as theft, damage, or even when false accusations have been made. By advocating this principle, the Bible encourages accountability, personal responsibility, and a just society.
Where Does The Concept of Restitution Appear in The Bible?
Restitution is a recurrent theme throughout the Old and New Testaments. You will find it in the narratives of Zacchaeus, where he committed to restoring four times the amount he took as a tax collector, or in Exodus, where specific laws stipulate how stolen or damaged goods should be replaced. Notably, the concept also surfaces in the Mosaic Law, where restitution was firmly established as a divine mandate.
Who Should Make Restitution According to The Bible?
As per the Bible, everyone who has unjustly taken something from another, either tangibly or intangibly, should make restitution. This could be money, property, reputation, or anything that has been unfairly gained or wrongfully taken away. Restitution is not restricted to certain individuals or groups but is applicable to all, suggesting that everyone is accountable for their actions. The Bible encourages those who have wronged others to take responsibility and make amends, thereby righting their wrongs and restoring peace and harmony.
When is Restitution Appropriate According to The Bible?
The Bible provides guidance on the timing of restitution, advocating that it be done as soon as the wrongful act has been realized. Restitution should be immediate after the acknowledgment of guilt. Prompt restitution is seen as a sign of genuine remorse and repentance, and a commitment to making things right. Thus, restitution made swiftly is more likely to lead to reconciliation and forgiveness. Conversely, delayed restitution could endanger relationships and perpetuate conflict.
Why Restitution Matters According to The Bible?
The Bible emphasizes that restitution is central to the concept of justice, fostering equity, and maintaining societal harmony. It’s seen as a way to rectify one’s actions, encourage responsibility, and ensure fairness. Restitution, according to Bible, affirms the dignity and worth of the wronged individual by acknowledging their grievance and trying to assuage it. Above all, it manifests value system that promotes honesty, integrity and responsibility in dealing with our fellow beings.
Below is the full list of bible verses on restitution (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Restitution
Exodus 22:1
“1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Self-Defense Crime Stealing
Exodus 22:2-3
“2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Self-Defense Theft Self-Defense Killing
Luke 19:1-10
“1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Hospitality Restoration
Romans 13:4
“4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
Related Themes: Justice Retribution Killing Revenge Respecting Your Parents
Numbers 5:6-7
“6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty;7 Then they shall confess their sin which they have done: and he shall recompense his trespass with the principal thereof, and add unto it the fifth part thereof, and give it unto him against whom he hath trespassed.”
Related Themes: Trespassing
Romans 12:19
“19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
1 Timothy 5:8
“8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Respecting Your Parents Children Laziness
Leviticus 6:1-7
“1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;3 Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering.6 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:7 And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Stealing Lying
Exodus 21:24-25
“24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”
Related Themes: Vindictiveness Retribution Crime Self-Defense Vengeance
Exodus 22:7
“7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.”
1 John 1:9
“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Related Themes: Repentance Forgiveness Bitterness Lust Attitude
Luke 10:27
“27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
Related Themes: Strangers Jewelry Personal Responsibility Compromise Love
Matthew 26:52-54
“52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”
Related Themes: Violence Revenge Murder Self-Defense Killing
Genesis 9:5-6
“5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”
Related Themes: Killing Murder Self-Defense Violence Life
Leviticus 5:15
“15 If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering:”
Related Themes: Trespassing
Luke 19:8-9
“8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.”
Related Themes: Stealing Indulgence Benevolence False Accusations
Acts 3:21
“21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”
Related Themes: Restoration
Matthew 5:38-39
“38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Related Themes: Revenge Trespassing Bullying Justice Retribution
John 14:26
“26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Education Learning Guidance Memory
Matthew 5:19
“19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Related Themes: Education Greatness Learning Dating Rebellion
1 Samuel 8:11
“11 And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.”
Related Themes: Gold Self-Defense
