Matthew 5:46
Verse
Context
Love Your Enemies
45that you may be sons 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.46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
Sermons
Rolfe Barnard
Reuben Walter
C.H. Spurgeon
Chuck SmithSummary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?--The publicans, as collectors of taxes due to the Roman government, were ever on this account obnoxious to the Jews, who sat uneasy under a foreign yoke, and disliked whatever brought this unpleasantly before them. But the extortion practiced by this class made them hateful to the community, who in their current speech ranked them with "harlots." Nor does our Lord scruple to speak of them as others did, which we may be sure He never would have done if it had been calumnious. The meaning, then, is, "In loving those who love you, there is no evidence of superior principle; the worst of men will do this: even a publican will go that length."
John Gill Bible Commentary
For if ye love them which love you,.... That is, if ye only love such that love you; for that such who love should be loved again, is both natural and just: our Lord's meaning is not, that ye ought not to love them that love you, but that these should not be the only objects of your love; for should this be the case, what reward have ye? or "shall ye have?" Do you deserve any thanks for your love now? none at all, it is what you are obliged to by your friend's love to you. Do you expect any hereafter with God? if you do, you will be mistaken; you have your reward with men, who have loved you as much as you have done them, and therefore none can be due to you, either from God or men: besides, do not even the publicans the same? men of the worst characters, and who were most hateful to the Jews, upon many accounts; partly because of their business, which was to collect the Roman tax, and carry it to the proper officers appointed to receive it, and of whom they sometimes farmed it. Now the Roman yoke was very grievous to the Jews, who boasted of their being a free people; nor did they willingly pay their tribute money; and some of them would refuse to do it, under a pretence of religion; wherefore those publicans, or tax gatherers, which were oftentimes men of their own nation, as appears from the instances of Levi and Zacchaeus, were very odious to them; because they looked upon them as joining with the Romans, in oppressing them, and abridging them in their liberty: and partly because of their character and conduct, being men of great improbity, rapine, and covetousness: hence, as in the New Testament, they are frequently joined with "sinners", as being notorious ones themselves; so in the Talmudic writings, with thieves (a), and are reckoned as thieves, with murderers, and robbers (b); they were not allowed as witnesses (c) in any of their courts of judicature; nor were they to be kept company (d) with in private houses. Now our Lord instances in these men who were the most profligate part of the nation, and had in greatest contempt by the rest; and yet these, by the very dictates of nature, loved such as loved them: wherefore it must be shameful and scandalous in the Pharisees, and others, who pretended to great sanctity and religion, to do no more than these persons did. (a) Maimon. Hilch. Gezela, c. 5. sect. 9. 11. (b) Misn. Nedarim, c. 3. sect. 4. (c) T. Bab. Sanhedrim, fol. 25. 2. Maimon. Hilch. Eduth, c. 10. sect. 4. Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora pr. neg. 214. (d) Maimon. Hilch. Mishcab, c. 10. sect. 8.
Matthew 5:46
Love Your Enemies
45that you may be sons 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.46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Sermon on the Mount: Love Your Enemies, Pray for Your Persecutors
By J. Glyn Owen1.5K46:10Sermon on the MountEXO 23:4LEV 19:9LEV 19:33MAT 5:43MAT 5:46In this sermon, the speaker addresses the important question of how to deal with our enemies as believers in Christ. He emphasizes the significance of repentance and faith in the beginning of our spiritual journey. The speaker then focuses on the challenging commandment given by Jesus to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. He uses the example of Corrie Ten Boom, who faced her greatest tormentor from the concentration camp and chose to extend forgiveness and love. The sermon is based on Matthew 5:43-48, where Jesus teaches about loving our enemies and being children of our heavenly Father who shows love and grace to all.
Saving Mercy
By Rolfe Barnard1.1K45:30Mercy Of GodPSA 145:6MAT 5:461TI 1:11In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeking God's mercy rather than taking it for granted. He highlights that God's mercy extends in three directions, as mentioned in Psalms 145 and Matthew 5. The preacher expresses a longing for people to recognize that they are not entitled to God's mercy, but rather it is a gift given out of God's goodness. He also shares his personal experience of receiving God's saving mercy and encourages others to repent and seek God's mercy.
What Do Ye More Than Others
By Reuben Walter55222:14Living DifferentlyChristian LifeRadical LoveMAT 5:46Reuben Walter emphasizes that Jesus calls Christians to be 'game changers' in society, urging them to live radically different lives that reflect His teachings. He highlights the importance of loving enemies, forgiving without conditions, and embodying the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, which are contrary to human nature. Walter explains that true change comes not from sheer determination but through the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to break free from bitterness and self-pity. He stresses that Christians must shine their light brightly in a dark world, demonstrating a love that surpasses worldly expectations. Ultimately, Walter encourages believers to embrace their calling to reflect Christ's love and mercy, which can lead others to seek God.
Loving Others: God's Primary Plan Is the Local Church
By Mike Bickle3144:38Love in the ChurchAbiding LovePastoral ResponsibilityMAT 5:46JHN 13:35JHN 15:9JHN 15:12EPH 3:18EPH 4:16HEB 10:25Mike Bickle emphasizes that loving others is central to God's plan for the local church, as illustrated in John 15. He highlights that Jesus loves us with the same intensity as the Father loves Him, and this love compels us to extend it to others, especially those who may not enhance our lives in any way. Bickle encourages believers to see their pastoral calling as a responsibility to love and include those who are often neglected within the church community. He asserts that true fellowship goes beyond comfort zones and requires intentional outreach to the weaker members of the body of Christ. Ultimately, the church is called to be a family that reflects the Father's love, demonstrating it to the world.
Love Must Be Your Life
By C.H. Spurgeon0The Nature of LoveChristian LivingMAT 5:461JN 4:7C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that as believers who have received a new and heavenly life, we are called to demonstrate a higher standard of living that reflects our faith. He challenges Christians to show that their lives are distinct from those of the unregenerate by embodying love and goodness in their daily interactions. Spurgeon asserts that if a professed Christian behaves no better than the ungodly, they are not truly living out their faith. He encourages believers to rise above the negativity and strife of the world, embodying the love of God in all aspects of life. Ultimately, love must be the defining characteristic of a Christian's life.
Matthew 5:46
By Chuck Smith0Christian PerfectionRighteousnessMAT 5:20MAT 5:46ROM 12:22CO 5:17GAL 5:22EPH 4:13PHP 3:14COL 3:1JAS 1:41PE 1:15Chuck Smith explores the profound implications of Matthew 5:46, emphasizing that Christians are called to exceed the moral standards of non-Christians. He highlights that true perfection, as defined by Jesus, is not merely about adhering to laws but about embodying a higher righteousness that reflects God's character. Smith encourages believers to pursue goals that align with the spirit of the law, focusing on inner attitudes and a deep hunger for righteousness. He asserts that this perfection is attainable through a relationship with God as our Father, which transforms our ethical framework and empowers us to live beyond mere compliance.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?--The publicans, as collectors of taxes due to the Roman government, were ever on this account obnoxious to the Jews, who sat uneasy under a foreign yoke, and disliked whatever brought this unpleasantly before them. But the extortion practiced by this class made them hateful to the community, who in their current speech ranked them with "harlots." Nor does our Lord scruple to speak of them as others did, which we may be sure He never would have done if it had been calumnious. The meaning, then, is, "In loving those who love you, there is no evidence of superior principle; the worst of men will do this: even a publican will go that length."
John Gill Bible Commentary
For if ye love them which love you,.... That is, if ye only love such that love you; for that such who love should be loved again, is both natural and just: our Lord's meaning is not, that ye ought not to love them that love you, but that these should not be the only objects of your love; for should this be the case, what reward have ye? or "shall ye have?" Do you deserve any thanks for your love now? none at all, it is what you are obliged to by your friend's love to you. Do you expect any hereafter with God? if you do, you will be mistaken; you have your reward with men, who have loved you as much as you have done them, and therefore none can be due to you, either from God or men: besides, do not even the publicans the same? men of the worst characters, and who were most hateful to the Jews, upon many accounts; partly because of their business, which was to collect the Roman tax, and carry it to the proper officers appointed to receive it, and of whom they sometimes farmed it. Now the Roman yoke was very grievous to the Jews, who boasted of their being a free people; nor did they willingly pay their tribute money; and some of them would refuse to do it, under a pretence of religion; wherefore those publicans, or tax gatherers, which were oftentimes men of their own nation, as appears from the instances of Levi and Zacchaeus, were very odious to them; because they looked upon them as joining with the Romans, in oppressing them, and abridging them in their liberty: and partly because of their character and conduct, being men of great improbity, rapine, and covetousness: hence, as in the New Testament, they are frequently joined with "sinners", as being notorious ones themselves; so in the Talmudic writings, with thieves (a), and are reckoned as thieves, with murderers, and robbers (b); they were not allowed as witnesses (c) in any of their courts of judicature; nor were they to be kept company (d) with in private houses. Now our Lord instances in these men who were the most profligate part of the nation, and had in greatest contempt by the rest; and yet these, by the very dictates of nature, loved such as loved them: wherefore it must be shameful and scandalous in the Pharisees, and others, who pretended to great sanctity and religion, to do no more than these persons did. (a) Maimon. Hilch. Gezela, c. 5. sect. 9. 11. (b) Misn. Nedarim, c. 3. sect. 4. (c) T. Bab. Sanhedrim, fol. 25. 2. Maimon. Hilch. Eduth, c. 10. sect. 4. Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora pr. neg. 214. (d) Maimon. Hilch. Mishcab, c. 10. sect. 8.