Verses 43-44: The law of love, sometimes called “law of Christ,” summarizes the ethical principle of the Sermon on the Mount. “Love they neighbor” summarizes the entire second table of the law (Lev. 19:18-34). But the unscriptural addition “hate thine enemy” was a popular concept in Jesus’ day.
The admonition “Love your enemies” is one of the greatest statements Jesus made. The love enjoined in this passage is love that originates from God Himself. Man is not commanded to attempt to love his enemy on the basis of mere human affection but rather on the basis of a love that comes from God. The quality of love commanded here is expressed by giving.
“Bless them” that curse you, “do good” to them that hate you, and “pray” for them that persecute you. Loving an enemy involves doing good toward that enemy in order to win him over to Christ.
Love Your Enemies
Matthew 5:43 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.”
Thou shalt love... The first half of this is found in Moses’ law (Lev. 19:18). The second part was found in how the scribes and Pharisees explained and applied that Old Testament command. Jesus’ application was exactly the opposite, resulting in a much higher standard.
Lev. 19:17-18; Mat. 22:39; Luke 10:27.
hate thine enemy... Love for one’s neighbors should extend even to those neighbors who are enemies (verse 44). Again, this was no innovation, since even the Old Testament taught that God’s people should do good to their enemies (Prov. 25:21). Exo. 17:14-16; Deut. 7:1-2; 23:3-6.
Love to one’s neighbor appears in many passages in the Old Testament. See Exo. 23:4-5. But we have to love enemies and resemble God’s sun and rain.
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