Luke 6:31 - Love Your Enemies

Audio Bible

Context

Love Your Enemies
…30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.…

Cross References

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.Romans 13:8-10
Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.Galatians 5:14
The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”James 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.Matthew 22:39
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’Mark 12:31
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.Proverbs 24:29
Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. / Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. / And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:39
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Galatians 5:14
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

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Luke 6

Do to others
This phrase introduces the principle of active engagement in relationships. It emphasizes the importance of taking initiative in treating others well, rather than passively waiting for others to act first. This teaching is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Plain, which parallels the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. The context is Jesus addressing His disciples and a large crowd, emphasizing the radical nature of His kingdom values. The call to "do" reflects the active nature of love and righteousness, which is a recurring theme in Jesus' teachings (e.g., Matthew 7:12, James 2:14-17).

as you would have them
This part of the verse highlights the empathetic and reciprocal nature of the command. It requires self-reflection and understanding of one's own desires and needs, which then informs how one should treat others. This principle is rooted in the Old Testament law, such as Leviticus 19:18, which commands love for one's neighbor. It also aligns with the broader biblical theme of justice and fairness, as seen in the prophets' calls for equitable treatment (e.g., Micah 6:8).

do to you.
The conclusion of the verse underscores the expectation of mutual respect and kindness. It implies a universal standard of behavior that transcends cultural and historical contexts. This teaching is often referred to as the "Golden Rule" and is a summary of the ethical teachings of Jesus. It reflects the character of God, who is just and loving, and calls His followers to embody these attributes. The principle is echoed in other New Testament writings, such as Romans 13:8-10, where love is seen as the fulfillment of the law. This teaching also foreshadows the sacrificial love of Christ, who exemplified this principle through His life and death.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is delivering a sermon often referred to as the "Sermon on the Plain," which includes teachings on love, mercy, and judgment.

2. Disciples and Followers
The primary audience of Jesus' teachings, including the Twelve Apostles and a larger group of followers who were learning from Him.

3. The Multitude
A larger crowd gathered to hear Jesus, consisting of people from various regions, including Judea, Jerusalem, and the coastal regions of Tyre and Sidon.

Teaching Points

The Principle of Reciprocity
Jesus' teaching in Luke 6:31 is a call to proactive love and kindness. It is not merely a passive avoidance of harm but an active pursuit of good for others.

Rooted in Love
The Greek word for "do" (poieite) implies continuous action. This suggests that treating others well should be a habitual practice rooted in love, reflecting God's character.

Universal Application
This principle transcends cultural and temporal boundaries, applying to all relationships and interactions. It challenges believers to reflect Christ's love in every aspect of life.

Reflection of God's Nature
By living out this command, Christians mirror the grace and mercy of God, who treats us with kindness and compassion beyond what we deserve.

A Call to Self-Examination
This verse invites believers to examine their motives and actions, ensuring they align with the love and respect they desire from others.

(31) As ye would that men should do to you . . .--See Note on Matthew 7:12. The very different arrangement of the precepts in the two discourses is obviously an argument against their identity.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Do
ποιεῖτε (poieite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

to [others]
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

you would have
θέλετε (thelete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

[them]
ἄνθρωποι (anthrōpoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

do
ποιῶσιν (poiōsin)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

to you.
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

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