We don't hear the word recompense anymore.
Imagine you are standing before a judge, and he says, "I will make sure you get what you deserve." How would you feel? I would guess it depends on which side of the courtroom you are standing. If you are justly accused of a crime, it would be frightening. You would probably be elated if you were a business owner and your client refused to pay for completed work. This is a modern example of compensation. But what does the Bible mean by recompense?
How Is Recompensation Different from Compensation?
First, we need to understand the difference between compensation and recompensation. In the modern sense, compensation is the restoration of loss. For example, if you were in a car accident or injured because of a faulty product, you would probably be compensated for loss of wages because you couldn't work and to pay for medical treatment. The biblical meaning of compensation is either a guilt penalty (payment for doing something wrong) or ransom/payment for something owed.
Recompense is considered a synonym for compensate, but compensate usually refers to payment for services rendered. As Merriam-Webster explains, recompense "suggests due return in amends, friendly repayment, or reward." In older Bible translations like the King James Bible, recompense is a noun ("the day of recompense") as well as a verb ("to recompense another"). Biblical recompense is solely in the hands of the provider based on the provider's standards. So, biblical recompense is based on God's standards, not what humanity has determined as just. To better understand the nuances of biblical recompense, let's take a closer look at the definition in light of the scriptures.
What Does Recompense Mean When It Appears in the Bible?
Biblical recompense means to repay, reward, or restore. In the case of the business owner, in the opening paragraph, they are being repaid for work completed, which is more like compensation. However, the word has multiple meanings or applications depending on the situation. For instance, the word reward has both good and bad connotations. In other words, it could be either good or bad depending on the circumstances, either a reward for good or punishment for bad behavior. The business owner in the opening example is given money in return for services rendered, while the accused criminal is receiving punishment for wrongs committed.
So, context is the key to understanding which side you or others are standing on and what the recompense will entail. Will it be punishment? Will it be a reward? The basis of judgment is laid out for us in the Old Testament under the old covenant, the law.
Where Does the Bible Use the Word Recompense?
For a detailed look at the use of recompense in the Bible, read the BibleStudyTools.com article "What Is the Meaning of Recompense in the Bible and How Does God Display It?" by Lisa Loraine Baker. For our purposes, we will look at some scripture examples showing how context can determine whether the word is used as a positive or negative result.
Let's start with God's explanation of the consequences and rewards of the covenant He made with Israel, as found in Deuteronomy 30:19: "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." The earlier verses in the same chapter explain that if you love God and follow His commands, you will be blessed and have life, but if you turn your heart and disobey, you will be cursed and receive death. The recompense for behavior is laid out clearly.
In Isaiah 66:6, we have an example of a benefit or reward: "A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence to his enemies." God is speaking to the faithful remnant and is promising to reward them for their faithfulness by destroying their enemies.
In contrast, Hosea 9:7 shows the consequences of disobeying God: "The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred." They had rebelled and ignored God's commands and followed other gods, which finally led to being taken into captivity.
When Christ came as the Messiah, he replaced the old covenant with a new covenant based on His sacrifice on the cross. If we accept Christ as Lord, we can have salvation that frees us from the punishment of the law. However, we still must choose to accept or reject God's gift of salvation.
In the New Testament, probably one of the most important instances of biblical recompense is found in Revelation 22:12: "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." The word reward is used in the same sense here: repay for good or evil. Hebrews 10:30 says, "For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people." Revelation 22:12 refers to the ultimate and final judgment where God will bless or curse every individual based on their choice.
Do We Deserve It When God Recompenses Us?
Society is always talking about and chasing after what they think they deserve. So, let's look closer at what the human race deserves on our own merit. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of fulfilling the law. Romans 6:23 tells us that the wage or recompense for sin is death. Therefore, we deserve death.
However, God is merciful and loving, so He sent Jesus Christ, His Son, to die in our place. Jesus paid the price for us so we could be restored to the Father. We deserve the death sentence but receive grace and mercy when we ask Jesus to be the Lord of our lives.
Revelation 22:12 says that one day, God will reward each person for their works, meaning what they have done. Imagine we are back in the courtroom, but this time, God the Father sits on His throne to make the final judgment for each person. Your turn comes to take the stand. Everything you have ever done or said is played before you, and you fall to your knees because you know the evidence is overwhelming. You deserve punishment. Then, the door opens, Jesus walks over, stands beside you, and raises you to your feet. God says, "Not guilty. Enter into your reward." How is that possible?
Christ took our sins on Himself and died on the cross, and when we accept His offer of forgiveness and make Him Lord of our lives, we take on the righteousness of Christ. When the Father looks at us, He only sees His Son in us. Do we deserve the reward? No, but God offers it to us out of His great love.
Given so great a love, shouldn't we be compelled to not only gratitude and obedience but also to pass on that mercy and grace to those we encounter? When we are tempted to wish others to get what we think they deserve, let's remember what recompense we have earned and leave the judging to God. Only He truly knows what we or anyone else deserves. Recompense is God's. He will repay.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/DavidLeshem
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
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