Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Matthew 5:43 - 5:44

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Matthew 5:43 - 5:44


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Final illustration, from the general law of love:

v. 43. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.

The first injunction is found in the Law, Lev_19:18. The second part of the sentence is an addition made by the rabbis. They understood the word "neighbor" of the members of their own nation only, arguing from the many passages of the Law in which God had commanded the children of Israel to destroy the heathen nations. But in all those instances the children of Israel were merely carrying out God's penal justice. Their argument would therefore not stand, especially in view of Exo_22:21; Exo_23:9; Lev_19:33; Deu_10:18-19; Deu_24:17; Deu_27:19. Jesus insists that all hatred is contrary to humaneness, opposed to the spirit which He was striving to foster. His is a different law:

v. 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.

The injunction receives its application at all times and in all places. The impressiveness of the passage is heightened by the contrast presented in each member of the saying. Cursing is met with blessing; hatred, which leads to injuries, with well-doing; and abuse of all kinds, culminating in persecution arising from religious hatred, with prayer and intercession. Whatever meanness the enemies may devise, love's ingenuity will find a way of overwhelming them with goodness. For its object is always to find ways and

means of winning the adversary, and, above all, of gaining him for the Lord.