LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

Passage: Matthew 5:38-48

Key verse: 44

NIV

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a](A) 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.(B) 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.(C)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[b](D) and hate your enemy.’(E) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(F) 45 that you may be children(G) 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.(H) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(I) 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.(J)

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
  2. Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Retaliation

38 (A)“You have heard that it was said, (B)‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, (C)Do not resist the one who is evil. But (D)if anyone (E)slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And (F)if anyone would sue you and take your tunic,[a] let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone (G)forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 (H)Give to the one who begs from you, and (I)do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Love Your Enemies

43 (J)“You have heard that it was said, (K)‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, (L)Love your enemies and (M)pray for those who persecute you, 45 (N)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 (O)sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 (P)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,[b] what more are you doing than others? Do not even (Q)the Gentiles do the same? 48 (R)You therefore must be (S)perfect, (T)as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 5:40 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
  2. 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
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Turn the other cheek (38-42)

The Old Testament Law brought justice into a chaotic slave society. However, Jesus' disciples are called to live by the higher law of love. When another person perpetrates an injustice on us, our first reaction is to pay him back--get even. But Jesus says, 'turn the other cheek.' This is what Jesus himself did. But only Jesus' grace and his cleansing blood can remove our rising tide of anger and replace it with the patience and love that overcomes evil.

2. Be perfect (43-48)

Sometimes we can love those who love us; and we can even love rebellious sheep. But Jesus says, 'Love your enemies...pray for those who persecute you.' This is what Jesus did on the cross. He wants us to grow in his image. His standard is high--'be perfect!' So we need his gospel. We need his forgiveness. We need Jesus dwelling in us. He alone can take our anger and bitterness and replace it with his love.

Prayer: Lord, give me a heart like yours.

One Word: Love enemies as well as friends