Matthew 5.38-48
Matthew 5:38-48
Do not strive to take for yourself, rather die to yourself and give of yourself, even for your enemies.
#Fe
Published May 21st, 2022
Main point summary
Arc
notes
Main point summary
Don't seek revenge when you are wronged. Love your enemies. | v48 point of whole = be holy/perfect/blameless cf. Leviticus 19.2
Arc
NT
Matthew 5:38-48
esv
h “You have heard that it was said,
y ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
ideaexplanation
But I say to you,
z Do not resist the one who is evil.
But a if anyone b slaps you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also. {Give}
conditional
And z if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, 1
let him have your cloak as well. {give}
And if anyone c forces you to go one mile,
go with him two miles. {give}
d Give to the one who begs from you,
and e do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. {Give}
series
negativepositive
concessive
f “You have heard that it was said,
g ‘You shall love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you,
i Love your enemies
and j pray for those who persecute you,
k so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
For he makes his sun rise on the evil
and on the good,
and l sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
ground
actionpurpose
m For if you love those who love you,
what reward do you have?
Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
comparison
And if you greet only your brothers, 1
what more are you doing than others?
Do not even n the Gentiles do the same?
o You therefore must be p perfect,
q as your heavenly Father is perfect.
inference
The punishment should fit the crime. the punishment must match the injury (NLT) Leviticus 19.17-18 This rule had been flipped into an excuse to exact revenge? Much as it is today. (think snickers commercial).
Don't exact personal revenge in an attempt to vindicate yourself, rather overcome evil with good.
Motivation for loving enemies and praying for them is being sons of our Heavenly Father - being like God.
Believers really are changed. How are you different? Are you like God OR tax collectors & unbelievers? To like people who like us is normal. To pray for people and love people who hate us is Christian. -Kevin DeYoung
If the cruel torture of crucifixion could not silence our Lord's prayer for his enemies, what pain, pride, prejudice, or sloth could justify the silencing of ours? - D.A. Carson
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Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.