BE PERFECT

Passage: Matthew 5:33-48

Key verse: 48

NIV

Oaths

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,(A) but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’(B) 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:(C) either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;(D) 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.(E) 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;(F) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.[a](G)

Eye for Eye

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[b](H) 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.(I) 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.(J)

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[c](K) and hate your enemy.’(L) 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(M) 45 that you may be children(N) 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.(O) 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?(P) 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.(Q)

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Matthew 5:37 Or from evil
  2. Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
  3. 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

Oaths

33 “Again (A)you have heard that it was said to those of old, (B)‘You shall not swear falsely, but (C)shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, (D)Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for (E)it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is (F)the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; (G)anything more than this comes from evil.[a]

Retaliation

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

Love Your Enemies

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

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Matthew 5:37 Or the evil one
  2. Matthew 5:40 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
  3. 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

Swearing an oath by God or anything else may seem like a great way to make a promise sound. But people can use oaths to deceive. Jesus tells us to always speak with honesty, without needing to swear by anything to make our words true. God’s people are marked by simple and genuine speech.

The Old Testament law of “an eye for an eye” was never meant for personal revenge or retaliation. It was given to protect the innocent, establish justice, and prevent offenders from being punished beyond what they deserved. Jesus calls us to respond to evil with grace and non-resistance. God’s people are to choose mercy over revenge in the name of Christ. True greatness and strength are shown not through retaliation but through restraint and grace.

Jesus commands us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and do good to those who hate us. Is this possible? To love our enemies, we need God’s love—a love that goes beyond natural affection and seeks the good of others, even our enemies. This reflects the heart of God, who cares even for the wicked and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. Jesus’ ultimate purpose for his people through these commands is that we grow to be perfect like our heavenly Father and reflect his love.

Prayer: Lord, I remember your love for sinners like me. Help me love others with that same love.

One Word: Love enemies