What Does the Bible Say About Hurting Others?

The overall theme of the Bible is one of love and living in harmony with one another. Hurting others is contrary to this underlying theme. The Bible contains many passages that advise against hurting others, even after they hurt you. Even when others hurt you, God can bring about good from a bad situation.

Identification

The Bible is filled with instructions not to hurt others. The Bible prohibits murder (Exodus 20:13), adultery (Exodus 20:14), stealing (Exodus 20:15) and giving false testimony (Exodus 20:16) as part of the Ten Commandments. All of these actions hurt others, either physically or economically. Instead, the Bible encourages us to "Live in harmony with one another" (Romans 12:16), which is the opposite of hurting others.

Types

The Bible draws a distinction between hurting others intentionally versus unintentionally. In Numbers 35:6-33, the Bible establishes cities of refuge where people who hurt others unintentionally could flee for their own protection. Numbers 35:22-25 specifically addresses situations in which a person hurts others without intending to, such as by dropping a stone or throwing something unintentionally that results in another person's death. A person who hurts others without intent is not to be treated the same as a person who purposely hurts others.

Considerations

The Bible tells us not to hurt others, even when they have hurt us first. In Romans 12:17, the Bible tells us, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil." Instead, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14). The Bible goes on to say, "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath" (Romans 12:19). God is the one who will repay those who hurt you.

Warning

Causing another person to sin is one way to hurt God. The Bible speaks out harshly against anyone who causes a child to sin. Jesus addressed this issue in Matthew 18:5-7, when he said that "it would be better for [a person] to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" than to cause a child to sin. He then went on to say, "woe to the man through whom [things that cause people to sin] come!"

Benefits

Fortunately, even when a person hurts others, can God turn the situation around for the good. This happened in the Bible with the story of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery. (See Genesis 37) When Joseph saw his brothers many years later, he told them, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

Resources

• Story of Joseph
• Cities of Refuge