matthew-5:44

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

Loving one's enemy. This is another instance of the way in which Christian righteousness is to exceed the righteousness of scribes and Pharisees. Let us consider the duty and the motives that urge it. I. THE DUTY . 1 . Positive. This carries us beyond patience under insult and nonresistance to injury. The previous passage insisted on those duties only. It was negative in character, forbidding a wrong course of conduct; therefore obedience to it would be purely passive. Now we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

The perfect fulfilling of Law: Christ's sixth illustration. This last illustration makes two advances upon even those foregoing. From the negative course, of not resisting evil, Christ proceeds to teach the high and moral principle of doing good for evil, positively and practically. Further, this illustration moves in that highest sphere where law merges in love. It finds its material in that law of love which comprehends the perfect fulfilling of law. The words of Chrysostom are well worth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

Perfection. Here is an attainable perfection, for it comes to us as a promise as well as a command. But what is it? I. IT CANNOT BE THE ABSOLUTE PERFECTION OF GOD . 1 . There is an infinite difference between God and man in their being. 2 . There is an infinite difference in their presence. 3 . There is an infinite difference in their power. 4 . There is an infinite difference in their holiness. II. IF THE PERFECTION BE NOT ABSOLUTE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:44

Parallel passage: Luke 6:27 , Luke 6:28 . But I say unto you, Love your enemies. Of all kinds, whether personal or opponents of you as Christians. Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you . Rightly omitted by the Revised Version as interpolated from Luke, (For the thought, cf. 1 Corinthians 4:12 ; Romans 12:14 .) And pray. In fullest contrast to the continual ill-wishing of the enemy. "They who can pray for their enemies can accomplish the rest" (Weiss, 'Life,'... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:44

Love your enemies - There are two kinds of love, involving the same general feeling, or springing from the same fountain of good-will to all mankind, but differing so far as to admit of separation in idea. The one is that feeling by which we approve of the conduct of another, commonly called the love of complacency; the other, that by which we wish well to the person of another, though we cannot approve his conduct. This is the love of benevolence, and this love we are to bear toward our... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:21-48

40. Legal obedience is not enough (Matthew 5:21-48; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 12:57-59)After his explanation concerning right and wrong attitudes to the law, Jesus gives a number of examples. He introduces these examples with statements such as ‘You have heard that it was said in the past’. This is not the same as ‘It is written’. Jesus is not quoting from the Old Testament but from the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. He is not contradicting the law but the interpretations of the law that the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:44

bless them . . . hate you . This clause is omitted by all the critical Greek texts. See App-94 . pray. Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 . for = on behalf of. Greek. huper. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 5:44

Matthew 5:44. Which despitefully use you, &c.— Who falsely accuse or traduce you, and persecute you. Dr. Doddridge renders it, Who insult you and persecute you. The particulars mentioned in this verse, are certainly the highest expressions of enmity; for what can be worse than cursing and calumny, insults and persecutions? Yet we are commanded to love and bless, and do good to, and pray for, our enemies, even while they persist in their enmity against us. This may seem contrary to the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:44

44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies—The word here used denotes moral love, as distinguished from the other word, which expresses personal affection. Usually, the former denotes "complacency in the character" of the person loved; but here it denotes the benignant, compassionate outgoings of desire for another's good. bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you—The best commentary on these matchless counsels is... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:17-48

Righteousness and the Scriptures 5:17-48In His discussion of righteousness (character and conduct that conforms to the will of God), Jesus went back to the revelation of God’s will, namely, God’s Word, the Old Testament. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:44

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:44

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:21-48

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:44

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 5:44

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:44

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:17-48

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