Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a](A) and hate your enemy.’(B) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(C) 45 that you may be children(D) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.(E) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(F) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.(G)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18

Love Your Enemies

43 (A)“You have heard that it was said, (B)‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, (C)Love your enemies and (D)pray for those who persecute you, 45 (E)so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and (F)sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 (G)For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers,[a] what more are you doing than others? Do not even (H)the Gentiles do the same? 48 (I)You therefore must be (J)perfect, (K)as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:47 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

Love Your Enemies(A)

43 “You have heard that it was said, (B)‘You shall love your neighbor (C)and hate your enemy.’ 44 [a]But I say to you, (D)love your enemies, bless those who curse you, (E)do good to those who hate you, and pray (F)for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for (G)He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 (H)For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your [b]brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the [c]tax collectors do so? 48 (I)Therefore you shall be perfect, just (J)as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:44 NU But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
  2. Matthew 5:47 M friends
  3. Matthew 5:47 NU Gentiles

43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

Read full chapter