The Legal Avenger

In ancient writings there was a Greek word used for the person who had the legal right to punish another person. The ekdikos was the person who could avenge an illegal act. He had the authority to bring justice against someone who broke the law.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:6, we read, “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.”  The word “avenger” is the Greek word “ekdikos.”  God is the avenger.

God created the world. He gave us his laws and commands to follow. He is Lord of all. He has all authority. He has the right and power to bring justice according to his law.

The context of the fourth chapter of 1 Thessalonians is purity. We must keep our bodies pure. We should only think on pure things. If we do not keep ourselves pure, God will avenge his law. God loves us and does not want to be the avenger against us. However, to be a Just God, he must avenge.

Learn how to live a pure life. Study your Bible so that you will do God’s will. In addition, if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.