(48) The Law of Love
Matthew 5:38-48, Luke 6:27-36
[A]”You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’[1] [B]But I say to you: Do not resist an evil person; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take away your coat, let him have your shirt also. Or if he wants your shirt, let him also have your coat. [C]Whoever forces you to go a mile, go with him two. [D]Give to everyone who asks of you, and do not turn your back on those who want to borrow from you. And if he takes your goods, do not ask that they be returned. [E]Treat others like you want them to treat you.
[F] “You have heard that it has been said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [G]But I say to you, who can hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, [H]that you may be the sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
[I] “If you only love those who love you, why do you expect a reward? Even the publicans and sinners do that, don’t they? [J]And if you greet your brethren only, what are you doing more than others. Do not even the publicans do that? [K]And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks do you deserve? For even sinners do the same thing. [L]And if you lend only to those who can repay you, what thanks do you deserve? For even sinners lend to sinners, if they think they will get it back. [M]But love your enemies, do good and lend to them, hoping for nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. [N]Therefore be merciful, just as your Father is merciful; [O]be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.”
(48) The Law of Love
Matthew 5:38-48, KJV
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 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? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
(48) The Law of Love
Luke 6:27-36, KJV
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
(1) Ex. 21:24, Lev. 24:20, Deut. 19:21
[A] Mt 5:38 [B] Mt 5:39-40, Lk 6:29 [C] Mt 5:41 [D] Mt 5:42, Lk 6:30 [E] Lk 6:31 [F] Mt 5:43 [G] Mt 5:44, Lk 6:27-28 [H] Mt. 5:45 [I] Mt 5:46, Lk 6:32 [J] Mt 5:47 [K] Lk 6:33 [L] Lk 6:34 [M] Lk 6:35 [N] Lk 6:36 [O] Mt 5:48