The Greek word ἐκδίκησις, ekdikesis means to execute justice. It occurs nine times in the New Testament and each instance carries the overall meaning of carrying out judgment. The English equivalent is varied being translated into such words as justice, vengeance, avenging, and retribution. This justice is in a good way for the elect (Luke 18:7, 8). It has eschatological significance in Luke 21:22 where it speaks of the judgment of God upon people in the last days. It speaks of punishment and judgment against wrongdoers in Romans 12:19; 2 Corinthians 7:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Hebrews 10:30; 1 Peter 2:14. But, in the context of the final state of the wicked (possibly 2 Thess. 1:8; Heb. 10:30), the word as used does not necessitate annihilation or continued conscious torment.
- Greek word: ἐκδίκησις, ekdikesis
- Meaning: to execute justice. Execution of right, justice.
- Strong’s #: G1557
- Frequency: 9 occurrences
Summary of the meaning of the Greek word ekdikesis, execute justice, in all verses where it occurs in the New Testament.
- Execute justice, 2 occurrences
- Luke 18:7, 8
- Punishment, 1 occurrence
- 1 Pet. 2:14
- Retribution, 1 occurrence
- 2 Thess. 1:8
- Vengeance, 5 occurrences
- Luke 21:22; Acts 7:24; Rom. 12:19; 2 Cor. 7:11; Heb. 10:30
| TABLE OF ALL NEW TESTAMENT USAGES OF EKDIKESIS, ἐκδίκησις | ||
| Address | Verse | Meaning |
| Luke 18:7 | “now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?” | Execute justice |
| Luke 18:8 | “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” | Execute justice |
| Luke 21:22 | “because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.” | Vengeance |
| Acts 7:24 | “And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took vengeance for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian.” | Vengeance |
| 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.” | Vengeance |
| 2 Cor. 7:11 | “For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.” | Vengeance |
| 2 Thess. 1:8 | “dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” | Execute justice |
| Heb. 10:30 | “For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” | Vengeance |
| 1 Pet. 2:14 | “or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.” | Punishment |
Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted
- “ἐκδίκησις ekdíkēsis; gen. ekdikḗseōs, fem. noun from ekdikéō (1556), to execute justice. Execution of right, justice…Maintenance of right, support, protection…Vengeance, i.e., penal retribution (Rom. 12:19; Heb. 10:30; Sept.: 2 Sam. 4:8; Ps. 79:10; Jer. 11:20; Hos. 9:7). In the sense of vindictive justice, punishment (Luke 21:22; 2 Thess. 1:8; 1 Pet. 2:14). Referring to the evildoer (2 Cor. 7:11 [cf. 2 Cor. 7:12; Sept.: Mic. 5:15]).”
- Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000
- “ἐκδικέωa; ἐκδίκησιςa, εως f: to give justice to someone who has been wronged—‘to give someone justice.’
- Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
- “ἐκδίκησις [ekdikesis /ek·dik·ay·sis/] n f. From 1556; TDNT 2:445; TDNTA 215; GK 1689; Nine occurrences; AV translates as “vengeance” four times, “avenge + 4060” three times, “revenge” once, and “punishment” once. 1 a revenging, vengeance, punishment. Additional Information: In 2 Cor 7:11—meeting out of justice; doing justice to all parties. See Luke 18:3, 21:22. The word also has the sense of acquittal and carries the sense of vindication.—Vincent III p. 329.”
- Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.
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