The Bible

 

Matthew 5:38-48 : Love Your Enemies

Study

38 Ye have heard that it has been said, Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.

39 But *I* say unto you, not to resist evil; but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;

40 and to him that would go to law with thee and take thy body coat, leave him thy cloak also.

41 And whoever will compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.

42 To him that asks of thee give, and from him that desires to borrow of thee turn not away.

43 Ye have heard that it has been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy.

44 But *I* say unto you, Love your enemies, [bless those who curse you,] do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who [insult you and] persecute you,

45 that ye may be [the] sons of your Father who is in [the] heavens; for he makes his sun rise on evil and good, and sends rain on just and unjust.

46 For if ye should love those who love you, what reward have ye? Do not also the tax-gatherers the same?

47 And if ye should salute your brethren only, what do ye extraordinary? Do not also the Gentiles the same?

48 Be *ye* therefore perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Commentary

 

Loving Our Enemies

By Junchol Lee


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Love certainly is the most essential and powerful force of all. Thus it is true that true love knows no limit or boundary. This is why it is very inspiring and fascinating to perceive the truth that the essence of God is love. Yet, when we humans use the term "love", it is often misused and/or used ambiguously. One thing that is true for most everyone is that we are more likely to love those who love us than to love those who don't love us in return. However, Jesus insists that it is only in loving our enemies that we are to become children of God! This teaching of Jesus almost compels us to rethink what we normally mean by "to love" and "enemy."

(References: Exodus 23:20)