The question arises; "When and under what circumstances are we to turn the other cheek?"

The apparent contradiction is seen when there is a confusion between Resistance (Self Defense) and Retaliation in response to aggression.

Jesus taught the principle of love and self-sacrifice as the way of life for His disciple to follow. He also demonstrated this principle throughout His earthly life.

Mat 5:39 "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

&

Luke 6:27-29 "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, {28} bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. {29} "Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.

Mat 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

At the same time Scripture is filled with references to just punishment for crimes committed.

Exodus 21:23-25 "But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, {24} eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, {25} burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

Jesus teaches to purchase a sword;

Luke 22:36 And He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.

He also teaches to live by the sword means to die by the sword;

Mat 26:52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

Set all this against the backdrop of what God says concerning Government and the punishment of evil;

Rom 13:1-4 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. {2} Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. {3} For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; {4} for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

What does all this mean?

The following quote from the book The Ethics of Martin Luther sheds light on our discussion.

Luther replaces the distinction between matters that affect our own person and matters that affect our office with a distinction between matters that concern the Second Table of the Law and matters that concern the First Table. This is a distinction between matters which affect us as citizens of this world and matters which affect our faith and confession. . . . This means that whenever a Christian is threatened and attacked as a Christian (that is, for the sake of the Gospel and thus for the sake of Christ), he does not defend himself; rather, he is ready to suffer injustice and violence without resisting and to abandon joyfully all that he has -- even his body and his life. But in secular matters, when his suffering is not for the sake of the Gospel, he may turn to the authorities for help and demand justice and protection. If his request is not granted, then he must suffer in the secular matter too.

This corresponds to Luther's opinion of self-defense. If the authorities persecute the Christian because of his faith (that is, in matters related to the First Table of the Law), he does not resist but instead suffers everything, including death. If a thief or robbers uses violence against him, however, the Christian as a "citizen of this world" ought to defend himself.

Luther thus establishes my right to defend myself when my life is under attack by asserting that it is no longer a private action for my own personal benefit but an official action of the authorities which I perform in an extraordinary way, that is, as a substitute for the official authority.

(Ethics; Paul Althaus; pages 75-76)

According to Althaus, Luther makes a distinction between suffering in regards to the First Table of the Law and suffering in regard to the Second Table of the Law.

The First Table of the Law addresses our relationship with God.

The Second Table of the Law addresses our relationship with our fellow man.

Therefore, when I suffer because I am a Christian, I must turn the other cheek and accept such abuse and bring glory to God in the midst of suffering.

Rom 8:16-18 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, {17} and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. {18} For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Acts 5:40-41 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. {41} So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

2 Thess. 1:3-5 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; {4} therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. {5} This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.

What is to be the attitude of the one who suffers for Christ?

Phil 2:5-11 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, {6} who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, {7} but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. {8} Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. {9} For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, {10} so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, {11} and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Pet 3:13-16 Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? {14} But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, {15} but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; {16} and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

Mat 5:10-12 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. {12} "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Mat 5:41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

When in the realm of my relationship with other men (Second Table) I am permitted by God to defend myself against harm and to seek whatever legal aid is available.

If we accept Luther's understanding of life with others in the Second Table of the Law then we must also accept that any breaking of the Second Table is a violation of the both God's law and the laws by which men live in harmony. If this is true we as citizens of our Government (any government) have the right to uphold these laws.

Therefore, I someone seeks to murder me (5th commandment) I have the right to defend myself against the other persons lawlessness.

If someone attempts to steal from me - I may protect my possessions. (7th Commandment)

I also have the right to expect the government to uphold the laws and rights of its citizens and to disobey the government when what they decree is sinful.

Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."