A. From the utterance: "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil."—Matthew v. 39.
Q. What does this word denote?
A. It denotes a lofty Christian virtue, commanded by Christ.
Q. Are we to understand the word non-resistance in its broad sense, that is, as meaning that one should offer no resistance to evil whatsoever?
A. No; it should be understood literally as Christ taught it—that is, not to return evil for evil. Evil should be resisted by all lawful means, but not by evil.
Q. From what does it appear that Christ gave that meaning to non-resistance?
A. From the words which he used on that occasion. He said: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also."
Q. Whom did he mean by the words: "Ye have heard that it hath been said"?
A. The patriarchs and the prophets, and that which they spoke and which is contained in the Old Testament, that the Jews generally call the Law and Prophets.
Q. To what laws did Christ allude in the words: "Ye have heard"?