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Matthew 5:43-47

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

43. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47. And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?

Matthew 5:43-47 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 5:43

Theological / Devotional

Ye have heard. See v. 21.

It hath been said. See v. 21.

Love. Greek agapan, a word with richer meaning than English “love.” English “love” covers many meanings, obscuring agape’s true sense. Greeks had three words: agapan, philein, and eran.

Philein describes affectionate, sentimental love based on feelings, subject to change. Eran denotes passionate, sensual love, physical infatuation; not used in NT. Agapan, contrasted with philein, describes love based on respect and esteem, where principle controls feelings. Philein tends to love those who love us; agapan extends love even to those who do not love us. Agapan is selfless; eran is selfish; philein may be selfish.

Agape is almost exclusive to the Bible, representing the highest love—self-sacrificing love (John 15:13). It implies reverence for God and respect for fellow men, modifying character, governing impulses, controlling passions, ennobling affections (Luke 6:30).

Thy neighbour. Jews defined neighbor as fellow Israelite by birth or conversion, excluding Samaritans. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) expanded this to all men. Christian love seeks all men’s good, regardless of race or creed. “Neighbor” literally means “near-dweller.”

Hate thine enemy. Not part of Lev. 19:18 quotation but a popular maxim. Hatred arises from pride. Jews, as sons of Abraham (John 8:33), considered themselves superior and despised Gentiles (Luke 18:11). Jesus says, “Love your enemies” (Matt. 5:44), explaining why—because God loves them (vs. 45-48) and we are His children (Matt. 5:45; 1 John 3:1,2).

By SdaBc