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Live by the sword, die by the sword

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It Shoots Further Than He Dreams by John F. Knott, March 1918.

"Live by the sword, die by the sword" is a saying derived from a Biblical parable to the effect that if you use violence, or other harsh means, against other people, you can expect to have those same means used against you; "You can expect to become a victim of whatever means you use to get what you want."[1]

The proverb comes from the Gospel of Matthew, verse 26:52, which describes a disciple (identified in the Gospel of John as Peter) drawing a sword to defend against the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, but is rebuked by Jesus, who tells him to sheath the weapon:

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword (Matthew 26:52, King James Version)

Interpretation of Matthew 26:52 in Christianity

Literal interpretations

The verse is sometimes taken[according to whom?] as a proof text for Christian pacifism.[citation needed]

Non-literal interpretations

Origen suggested that "sword" in the Gospels be interpreted as a sapiential image.[2] The sapiential interpretation is consistent with Ephesians 6:17

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:17 KJV)

and Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12 KJV).

The phrase is also seen in the Book of Revelation, chapter 13: verse 10:

"He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."[3] Those that go to War or engage themselves in the War machine of any country, do well to consider this phrase as they live their lives by the sword. In so doing they should expect to be killed in their line of work. Their families should also come to grips with this.

Peter actually used his physical sword and smote the soldier's ear, defending the Christ: "And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out [his] hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear." (Matthew 26:51 KJV) Jesus then restored the man's ear, while bringing to light this profound wisdom to those still attempting to understand the parallels between physical and spiritual wisdom. Those who kill the flesh body shall find themselves removed of their spiritual body. One cannot uphold the two commandments of Christ while taking flesh in the name of The Lord. Ultimately, The TRUTH of the WORD is the two-edged sword that shall overcome the sword of the flesh. Love thy neighbor as thyself.

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28 KJV)

Usage in English literature

While a common modern interpretation[4] means “those who live by violence will die by violence”, suggesting nonviolence or pacifism as an alternative, it is also used for a variety of situations which contain an element of poetic justice. A deeper meaning alludes to "those who judge will be judged" in reference to Matthew 7:2 and Luke 6:37 which can also be interpreted as poetic justice for those observed to be wrongfully condemning others. Other variants on this phrase are also commonly used.

See also

References

  1. ^ Richard A. Spears McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs "Live by the sword, die by the sword" Prov. If you use violence against other people, you can expect to have violence used against you.; You can expect to become a victim of whatever means you use to get what you want.
  2. ^ Gerard E. Caspary, 'Politics and exegesis: Origen and the two swords', (UC Press, 1979)
  3. ^ The Book of Revelation
  4. ^ "Idiom definition at www.usingenglish.com".
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