Bible

Matthew 5:43-48 (MSG)

Topics in Book | Outline of Book | Facts About Book | Commentary | Parallel Verse

NET | AMP | NIV | NIV-2010 | NASB | TNIV | NIRV | ESV | KJV | ASV | RSV | Good News | NLT | CEV | Basic | MSG | Spanish | French

Previous Chapter | Previous Verse | Whole Chapter | Next Verse | Next Chapter


43 "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' 44 I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, 45 for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best--the sun to warm and the rain to nourish--to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. 46 If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. 47 If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. 48 "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.


This passage relates to the following topic(s):
(v. 43) Hatred - Love your enemy
(v. 44) Hatred - Love your enemy
(v. 44) Prayer - Pray for those who persecute you
(v. 44) Persecution - Pray for those who persecute you
(v. 45) Hatred - Love your enemy
(v. 46) Hatred - Love your enemy
(v. 47) Hatred - Love your enemy

This passage is referenced in the following quiet time(s):
(v. 43) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 44) Teach Us To Pray - Enemies and Opposition (2008-09-22)
(v. 44) Teach Us To Pray - Enemies and Opposition (2008-09-22)
(v. 44) Jesus with People - Daily Unconditional Love (2009-02-22)
(v. 44) One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 2) (2010-02-22)
(v. 44) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 45) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 45) Names of the Believers (part II) (2011-05-02)
(v. 45) Why We Need God - He is The Provider (2009-04-21)
(v. 46) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 47) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 48) I Am Willing (2010-09-14)
(v. 48) Teach Us To Pray - Enemies and Opposition (2008-09-22)

This passage is referenced in the following study note(s):
(v. 43) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 44) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 45) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 46) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 47) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)
(v. 48) Devotional: Persecution and Opposition (2008-12-12)