What Does It Mean to Turn the Other Cheek? – Jeremy Lallier lifehopeandtruth.com

The concept broached here, like so many, gain depth with a little clarification and understanding. To “turn the other cheek” is less about making yourself a doormat just like an “eye for an eye” was not about vengeance but more about legal protections. The best way to understand Christ, who sometimes spoke in hyperbole for emphasis, is to look at His and other examples.

In one instance, Jesus Himself was struck by an officer whom Christ immediately challenged to justify the action. Likewise, Paul invoked his rights as a Roman rather than take a beating. This doesn’t mean they never took physical abuse without complaint. There are biblical examples of this for both men. So, what do we make of this command to turn the other cheek?

It is a call to control one’s emotional response of exacting vengeance and not to return evil for evil. So as Christians, whether we are turning our cheek physically or figuratively, we are required to be more generous and forgiving than we would otherwise be required.