Matthew 5:43-48
Summary for Matt 5:43-47: 5:43-47 a hate your enemy: Jesus is opposing not the Old Testament, but a traditional, though mistaken (cp. Exod 23:4-5 b), interpretation of the Old Testament. The “hate” clause is not in the Old Testament (but see Ps 139:21-22 c).5:45 d By loving all people, Jesus’ followers would not become children of God; they would show by their actions that they are indeed God’s true children, according to his nature and will (see Deut 10:18-19 e).
5:47 f If you are kind only to your friends (literally, If you greet only your brothers): Jews were instructed to greet Gentiles for the sake of maintaining peaceful relations, but such greetings were not the same as those for “brothers”—i.e., fellow Jews.
5:48 g This verse ties 5:20-48 h together as a unit (see study note on 4:23-25).
• you are to be perfect: The term rendered “perfect” means maturity and wholeness in response to Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom, and complete consecration to God (19:21 i; Eph 4:13 j; Phil 3:15 k; Col 1:28 l; 4:12 m; 1 Jn 4:18 n). Perfection has love at its core (see Luke 6:36 o).
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