The Greek word ἐκδικέω, ekdikeo occurs six times in the New Testament and has a variety of meanings including giving and taking as well as punishment and judgment. But it seems its primary usage is in the context of executing justice for someone who has been wronged. The contexts where it might relate to eternal judgment (Rom. 12:19; Rev. 6:10; 19:2) do not tell us what the final disposition of the people are, whether it be nonexistence or existence.
- Greek word: ἐκδικέω, ekdikeo
- Meaning: To execute justice, defend one’s cause, maintain one’s right
- Strong’s #: G1556
- Frequency: 6 occurrences
Summary of the meaning of the Greek word ekdikeo, execute justice, in all verses where it occurs in the New Testament.
- Execute Justice, 4 occurrences
- Rom. 12:19; 2 Cor. 10:6; Rev. 6:10; 19:2
- Provision, 2 occurrences
- Luke 18:3, 5
| TABLE OF ALL NEW TESTAMENT USAGES OF EKDIKEO, ἐκδικέω | ||
| Address | Verse | Meaning |
| Luke 18:3 | “There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’” | Provision |
| Luke 18:5 | “yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ ”” | Provision |
| Rom. 12:19 | “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.” | Execute justice |
| 2 Cor. 10:6 | “and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.” | Execute justice |
| Rev. 6:10 | “and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” | Execute justice |
| Rev. 19:2 | “BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER.” | Execute justice |
Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted
- “To execute justice, defend one’s cause, maintain one’s right (Luke 18:5)…it means bring out my right or justice so the accusation of my adversary may not stand against me (Sept.: Ps. 37:28). To avenge, i.e., to make penal satisfaction as in Rom. 12:19 (see Rom. 12:17, 20). To take vengeance on, to punish, e.g.,”
- Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000
- “to give justice to someone who has been wronged—‘to give someone justice.’ἐκδικέωa : ἐκδίκησόν με ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀντιδίκου μου ‘give me justice against my opponent’ Lk 18:3.
- Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
- “ἐκδικέω [ekdikeo /ek·dik·eh·o/] v. From 1558; TDNT 2:442; TDNTA 215; GK 1688; Six occurrences; AV translates as “avenge” five times, and “revenge” once. 1 to vindicate one’s right, do one justice. 1A to protect, defend, one person from another. 2 to avenge a thing. 2A to punish a person for a thing.”
- Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.
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