Matthew 5:45

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

Loving one's enemy. This is another instance of the way in which Christian righteousness is to exceed the righteousness of scribes and Pharisees. Let us consider the duty and the motives that urge it. I. THE DUTY . 1 . Positive. This carries us beyond patience under insult and nonresistance to injury. The previous passage insisted on those duties only. It was negative in character, forbidding a wrong course of conduct; therefore obedience to it would be purely passive. Now we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

The perfect fulfilling of Law: Christ's sixth illustration. This last illustration makes two advances upon even those foregoing. From the negative course, of not resisting evil, Christ proceeds to teach the high and moral principle of doing good for evil, positively and practically. Further, this illustration moves in that highest sphere where law merges in love. It finds its material in that law of love which comprehends the perfect fulfilling of law. The words of Chrysostom are well worth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:43-48

Perfection. Here is an attainable perfection, for it comes to us as a promise as well as a command. But what is it? I. IT CANNOT BE THE ABSOLUTE PERFECTION OF GOD . 1 . There is an infinite difference between God and man in their being. 2 . There is an infinite difference in their presence. 3 . There is an infinite difference in their power. 4 . There is an infinite difference in their holiness. II. IF THE PERFECTION BE NOT ABSOLUTE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:45

Parallel passage: Luke 6:35 , which is more full, but hardly so original in form. That ye may be the children ( ὅπως γένησθε υἱοί ) ; sons (Revised Version); cf. Luke 6:9 , note. The meaning of the clause is not certain. It may be: read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:45

That ye may be the children of your Father - In Greek, the sons of your Father. The word “son” has a variety of significations. See the notes at Matthew 1:1. Christians are called the “sons” or “children” of God in several of these senses: as his offspring; as adopted; as his disciples; as imitators of Him. In this passage the word is applied to them because, in doing good to enemies, they resemble God. He makes His sun to rise upon the evil and good, and sends rain, without distinction, on the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:21-48

40. Legal obedience is not enough (Matthew 5:21-48; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 12:57-59)After his explanation concerning right and wrong attitudes to the law, Jesus gives a number of examples. He introduces these examples with statements such as ‘You have heard that it was said in the past’. This is not the same as ‘It is written’. Jesus is not quoting from the Old Testament but from the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. He is not contradicting the law but the interpretations of the law that the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:45

be = become. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 5:45

Matthew 5:45. That ye may be the children, &c.— Our blessed Saviour enforces the doctrine of loving our enemies, so far as to do them good, from the noblest of all considerations, that it renders men like God, who is good even to the evil and unthankful. "Being thus benevolent towards all, the bad as well as the good, you shall be like God, and so prove yourselves his genuine offspring; for he maketh his sun common to them who worship, and tothem who contemn him; and suffers his rain to be... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:45

45. That ye may be the children—sons. of your Father which is in heaven—The meaning is, "that ye may show yourselves to be such by resembling Him" (compare Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 5:1). for he maketh his sun—"your Father's sun." Well might BENGEL exclaim, "Magnificent appellation!" to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust—rather, (without the article) "on evil and good, and on just and unjust." When we find God's own procedure held up for imitation in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:17-48

Righteousness and the Scriptures 5:17-48In His discussion of righteousness (character and conduct that conforms to the will of God), Jesus went back to the revelation of God’s will, namely, God’s Word, the Old Testament. read more

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