Matthew 5:44-48 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

We have here, lastly, an exposition of that great fundamental law of the second table, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, which was the fulfilling of the law. I. See here how this law was corrupted by the comments of the Jewish teachers, Matt. 5:43. God said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour; and by neighbour they understood those only of their own country, nation, and religion; and those only that they were pleased to look upon as their friends: yet this was not the worst; from this command, Thou... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

As we have already seen, Matthew has a careful pattern in his gospel. In his story of the baptism of Jesus he shows us Jesus realizing that the hour has struck, that the call to action has come, and that Jesus must go forth on his crusade. In his story of the Temptations he shows us Jesus deliberately choosing the method he will use to carry out his task, and deliberately rejecting methods which he knew to be against the will of God. If a man sets his hand to a great task, he needs his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:44

But I say unto you, love your enemies ,.... That is, as the Apostle Paul may be thought to interpret the words of Christ, Romans 12:20 . "If thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him drink": unless our Lord should be supposed rather to regard the internal affection of the mind; since outward expressions of love, by words and works, are urged in the following exhortations: the actions of a man may be hated, and just indignation be expressed against them, and yet his person be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:45

That ye may be the children of your father ,.... Not that any became the children of God, by doing things in imitation of him: for as in nature no man becomes the son of another by imitating him, or by doing the things he does but either by birth, or by adoption; so in grace no man becomes a child of God by the works he does, as a follower of God, but by adopting grace; and which is discovered in regeneration. Christ's meaning is, that they might appear, and be known to be the children of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:46

For if ye love them which love you ,.... That is, if ye only love such that love you; for that such who love should be loved again, is both natural and just: our Lord's meaning is not, that ye ought not to love them that love you, but that these should not be the only objects of your love; for should this be the case, what reward have ye ? or "shall ye have?" Do you deserve any thanks for your love now? none at all, it is what you are obliged to by your friend's love to you. Do you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:47

And if you salute your brethren only ,.... This does not mean salutation by embraces or kisses, but by words, asking of each other's welfare, and wishing prosperity and happiness to one another. "The manner of salutation among the wise men was this F5 Sepher Chasidim, fol. 5. Colossians 2 . apud Buxtorf. Florileg. Heb. p. 300,301. ; he that salutes says, a good day to my lord; and he replies, saying, a good, and long day to my lord: always he that replies doubles the salutation.' ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:48

Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father ,.... This perfection is to be restrained to the subject Christ is upon, love to men, and not to be referred to any, or every other thing; wherefore, in Luke 6:36 it is, "be ye merciful, as your Father also is merciful"; and regards not a perfection of degree in that, but objects and quality: that is to say, not that men may, or can, or ought to be as perfect in love, as to the degree of it, as God is; that is impossible: the "as" here, is not a note... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:44

Love your enemies - This is the most sublime piece of morality ever given to man. Has it appeared unreasonable and absurd to some? It has. And why? Because it is natural to man to avenge himself, and plague those who plague him; and he will ever find abundant excuse for his conduct, in the repeated evils he receives from others; for men are naturally hostile to each other. Jesus Christ design's to make men happy. Now he is necessarily miserable who hates another. Our Lord prohibits that only... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:45

That ye may be the children of your Father - Instead of ὑιοι children, some MSS., the latter Persic version, and several of the primitive fathers, read ὃμοιοι , that ye may be like to, or resemble, your Father who is in heaven. This is certainly our Lord's meaning. As a man's child is called his, because a partaker of his own nature, so a holy person is said to be a child of God, because he is a partaker of the Divine nature. He maketh his sun to rise on the evil - " There is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:46

For if ye love them which love you - He who loves only his friends, does nothing for God's sake. He who loves for the sake of pleasure or interest, pays himself. God has no enemy which he hates but sin; we should have no other. The publicans - That is, tax-gatherers, τελωναι , from τελος a tax, and ωνεομαι I buy or farm. A farmer or collector of the taxes or public revenues. Of these there were two classes; the superior, who were Romans of the equestrian order; and the inferior,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:44

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:45

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:46

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:47

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:48

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:44

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:45

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:46

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