Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 5:40

"And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also." — Matthew 5:40 (ASV)

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

Let him have all he asks, and more. Better lose a suit of cloth than be drawn into a suit in law. The courts of our Lord's day were vicious, and his disciples were advised to suffer wrong sooner than appeal to them. Our own courts often provide the surest method of resolving a difficulty by authority, and we have known them to be used to prevent strife. Yet even in a country where justice can be had, we are not to resort to law for every personal wrong.

We should rather endure to be imposed upon than be forever crying out, "I'll bring an action." At times this very rule of self-sacrifice may require us to make a legal appeal, to stop injuries which would fall heavily upon others; but we ought often to forgo our own advantage, indeed, always when the main motive would be a proud desire for self-vindication. Lord, give me a patient spirit, so that I may not seek to avenge myself, even when I might righteously do so!

Let him have all he asks and more. It is better to lose an item of clothing than to be drawn into a lawsuit. The courts of our Lord's day were corrupt, and His disciples were advised to suffer wrong rather than appeal to them. Our own courts often provide the surest method of resolving a difficulty by authority, and we have known them to be used with the aim of preventing strife.

Yet even in a country where justice can be obtained, we are not to resort to law for every personal wrong. We should rather endure being taken advantage of than be forever crying out, "I'll file a lawsuit." At times, this very rule of self-sacrifice may require us to take steps by way of legal appeal to stop injuries that would fall heavily upon others. However, we ought often to forgo our own advantage, indeed, always when the main motive would be a proud desire for self-vindication.

Lord, give me a patient spirit, so that I may not seek to avenge myself, even when I might righteously do so!