Matthew 5:42 - Exposition

(Cf. Luke 6:30 , Luke 6:34 , Luke 6:35 .) The connexion is as follows: Our Lord spoke first ( Matthew 5:39 ) of entire submission to injuries; then ( Matthew 5:40 ) of acceptance of loss of property; then ( Matthew 5:41 ) of acceptance of a burden imposed; here of acceptance of a demand for pecuniary assistance. This, in its turn, forms an easy transition to the subject of Matthew 5:43 , sqq. Give to him that asketh thee , etc. This verse has been often adduced by unbelievers to prove the incompatibility of our Lord's utterances with the conditions of modern society. Wrongly. Because our Lord is inculcating the proper spirit of Christian life, not giving rules to be literally carried out irrespective of circumstances. Hammond ( vide Ford) points out that we have "a countermand" in 2 Thessalonians 3:7 , 2 Thessalonians 3:10 .