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26. καὶ οὐ μισεῖ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν μητέρα. Marcion read the milder word καταλείπει. It is not so much the true explanation to say that hate here means love less (Gen 29:31), as to say that when our nearest and dearest relationships prove to be positive obstacles in coming to Christ, then all natural affections must be flung aside; comp. Deu 13:6-9; Deu 21:19-21; Deu 33:8-9. A reference to Mat 10:37 will shew that ‘hate’ means hate by comparison. Our Lord purposely stated great principles in their boldest and even most paradoxical form by which He alone has succeeded in impressing them for ever as principles on the hearts of His disciples. The ‘love of love’ involves a necessity for the possible ‘hate of hate,’ as even worldly poets have understood.
“Va, je t’aimais trop pour ne pas te haïr.”
“I could not love thee, dear, so much
Loved I not honour more.”
LOVELACE.
ἔτι δὲ καὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ψυχήν. This further explains the meaning of the word ‘hate.’ The ψυχὴ ‘soul’ or ‘animal life’ is the seat of the passions and temptations which naturally alienate the spirit from Christ. These must be hated, mortified, crucified if they cannot be controlled; and life itself must be cheerfully sacrificed, Rev 12:11; Act 20:24. “Il faut vivre dans ce monde,” says St Francis de Sales, “comme si nous avions l’esprit au ciel, et le corps au tombeau.”