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Matthew 5:43-44 Love your enemies
1. Matthew 5:43-44 Love your enemies
2. Sermon on the Mount: Combined verse model build
3. Handout 1 start
Here is a start at a handout. It is intended to be printed on 8-1/2 by 11 paper (not this image, the corresponding PDF being developed - black and white and color versions).
4. Handout 2 start
The second page shows the corresponding verses in the Sermon on the Mount along with the corresponding Kingdom Parable and Revelation church.
One can thus study the related groups of verses to see how they fit together with the same theme.
Note that the
self-similar fractal-like nature of the verses are such that many groups have sub-elements of adjacent groups as a mini-series within the group.
5. Lord's Prayer in Matthew
Sermon on the Mount:
| 4 |
four foreword sequences (one split) |
| 2 |
two backward sequences |
| 1 |
Lord's Prayer subsequence (self‑similar fractal) |
| 7 |
sequences total |
6. Animal analogies
Exodus 21:24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, [kjv]
Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: [kjv]
Why does Jesus stop with just "
eye" and "
tooth"? Why not continue with "
hand" and "
foot" and others from Exodus? The animal analogy goes as follows.
"sheep" are the true believers.
"birds" sit in the seat of the scornful and are the false leaders or "eyes".
"pigs" get in the way of sinners wanting to repent and work (influence, rend, etc.) for the "birds" as the "hands".
"fish" of the "sea" (humanity) walk/swim in sin and are attracted to the false light as the "feet".
Perhaps the four verses that follow relate more to the "
birds" or "
eyes" or false leaders and not to the "
pigs" as "
hands" or "
fish" as "
feet" roles. In those verses, it appears that the "
you" refers to "
sheep".
7. Matthew 5:39 Paraphrase
Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [kjv]
εγω δε λεγω υμιν μη αντιστηναι τω πονηρω αλλ οστις σε ραπιζει εις την δεξιαν σιαγονα σου στρεψον αυτω και την αλλην [gnt]
5:39:
But I say to you. Do not stand in place of the evil/oppression (get in the way of the adversary). But whoever [bones, enemy, hostile] shall cause thee to strike (rapidly, false start) on your [but a shadow] of a right jawbone (offensive weapon) [the (evil, oppressive) contest, competition] turn from that to the other [(true) contest, competition].
Example:
Saul, later
Paul, under orders from the religious establishment, sought to strike out (false start) on a (evil) contest or competition, but was directed to turn from that contest or competition to the true contest or competition. Interestingly, this example of Paul will fit the next few verses as a continuation of the analogy or story.
This verse relates to both the "
altar" verse back in 5:23-24 and the "
agree" with the "
adversary" verse back in verses 5:25-26.
8. Matthew 5:40 Paraphrase
Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. [kjv]
και τω θελοντι σοι κριθηναι και τον χιτωνα σου λαβειν αφες αυτω και το ιματιον [gnt]
5:40:
and the (evil religious institution, judger's) (who) desire to separate (judge) you and take your cloke (outer body), and so forgive or let go them (evil religious institution, judger's) (their) garment (of unrighteousness [I am what being?])
This idea will now be continued in the following verses. Is there
precedent for
"forgiving" others their
"garments" of
"unrighteousness"?
This idea will then be repeated in another way in a few more verses in terms of "
love your enemies".
How would you define an "enemy"?
How would you define a "neighbor"?
What is the difference?
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Details are left as a future topic.
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9. Matthew 5:41 Paraphrase
Matthew 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. [kjv]
και οστις σε αγγαρευσει μιλιον εν υπαγε μετ αυτου δυο [gnt]
5:41 Paraphrase:
Whosoever [enemy, hostile, bones] you compels (to be a messenger) (with it( message)) mile one [indistinct (message), millstone] go away with it (message) two [of God].
Example: Paul was compelled as a messenger of the religious institution to go one mile (with an indistinct message). Instead, he changed course (turned the jaw bone or cheek) and went two miles (and more) with a message of God. [military common sense]
10. Matthew 5:39 Turning the other cheek
Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [kjv]
Should one not "resist" "the evil"? Should one let "the evil" have it's way?
Who is meant by "whosoever"?
The Greek translated as "on" is that of "into".
What does it mean to "smite"? It (s) might be something else.
The Greek for "cheek" is that of a "jaw bone".
Why the "right" "cheek" and not the "left" "cheek"?
The Greek translated as "him" (person) can be "it" (that which you are doing).
What is the "other" "it" to which one is to "turn"?
11. Matthew 5:42 Paraphrase
Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. [kjv]
τω αιτουντι σε δος και τον θελοντα απο σου δανισασθαι μη αποστραφης [gnt]
Here is a
bottom-up English written paraphrase from the
top-down spoken Greek. [you give you]
5:32 paraphrase:
Do not turn back/away from anyone desiring a loan from you (without repayment) for giving (dedicating) that person to the requesting (of) it (message/messenger of God).
In the top-down (spoken) Greek the later references are clear when spoken. In the bottom-up English, the references are not defined until later so they may need to be moved earlier in the paraphrase. That is, a look-ahead is required.
12. Context
The previous group of verses culminate in doing what the Lord wants you to do or, loaning (without repayment) to those who are doing the work requested by the messenger (Holy Spirit). How should you approach that work
asked for by the Holy Spirit messenger/message? The next verses (below) appear to help answer that question. The
TR (Textus Receptus) adds or
changes a number of words.
13. Grouped verses
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [kjv]
5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [kjv]
5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? [kjv]
5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? [kjv]
5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. [kjv]
14. Matthew 5:43-44 Love your enemies
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [kjv]
Would a "bird" "go after" you?
Who might "hate" you as an "enemy"?
Why might they "hate" you as on "enemy"?
Some words were added to Matthew 5:44 (from other verses elsewhere).
... pray for those that persecute or go after you.
... put forward a wish for those who pursue or go after you.
What
"wish" are we to
put forward? How about in the upcoming Lord's Prayer?
15. Matthew 5:43
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου και μισησεις τον εχθρον σου [gnt]
This statement is not in the
OT (Old Testament). It was, however, found in the writings of the
Essenes in the
DSS (Dead Sea Scrolls). Thus, the people would have heard of this.
Are "love" and "hate" opposites? In what ways?
Is there something between "love" and "hate"? What might that be?
Love: total devotion for or to something
Opposite of love: total disdain or lack of concern for or to something.
Who is your "neighbor"? Who is your "enemy"?
The ancient Greek word
"πλησίον" ≈ "near, neighbor". A
"neighbor" is someone who is
"near" according to some
"nearness" criteria.
16. Matthew 5:43
KJV: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Greek: ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου και μισησεις τον εχθρον σου
17. Usage - hate
*G3404 *40 μισέω (mis-eh'-o) : from a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less:--hate(-ful).
 |
Words: εμισησα εμισησαν εμισησας εμισησεν=2 εμισουν μεμισηκασιν μεμισηκεν μεμισημενου μισει=7 μισειν μισεις μιση μισησει=2 μισησεις=1 μισησουσιν=2 μισησωσιν μισουμενοι=4 μισουντες=2 μισουντων μισουσιν μισω=2 μισων=5
|
The ancient Greek word
"μισέω" ≈ "hate" and is from
"μῖσος" ≈ "hatred, hate" and appears to be pre-Greek in origin.
[reward]
18. McDonald's Lovin' it
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου και μισησεις τον εχθρον σου [gnt]
When was the McDonald's slogan "I'm lovin' it" and song by the same name introduced?
November 2003. Song co-wrote by Pusha T, sung by Timberlake.
The original German words were
"Ich Liebe Es" ≈ "I'm loving it". The music was then added to the slogan.
You should
"love" your enemy and not "
slug" or "
slay" the enemy with "
slew" of "
slogans".
19. Slogans
Matthew 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. [kjv]
… of-slogen… [wes]
… slowen … [wy]
21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. [kjv]
… of-slogen … [wes]
… slowen … [wy]
… slewe … [ty]
22:6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. [kjv]
The English word
"slogan" comes from the Middle English word
"slugharne" ≈ "battle cry" that has Scottish and Gaelic roots. The hard "
g" softened so that the "
slug" became "
slew".
You might say that we have "
struck gold" and "
hit" on a "
slew" of variations of "
slap" or "
beat". Can you "
beat" that with a "
stick"? Have we "
struck out"? Can we make a "
slogan" out of these "
hit" ideas?
20. Matthew 5:43
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου και μισησεις τον εχθρον σου [gnt]
From what Jesus says, here and elsewhere, It appears that one should view everyone else in one of two categories of
"fellow believer" or
"neighbor".
"Fellow believer" who is loved unconditionally
"Neighbor" who is loved as yourself (in that one does nothing that for the neighbor or outside culture that violates God's laws)
Thus,
"believers" are a subset of
"neighbors". An
"enemy" appears to be a subset of
"neighbor" and,
hopefully, not in the set of
"believers". The "
weeds", however, are mixed in with the
"believers".
21. Enemies and hate
The ancient Greek word
"ἐχθρός" ≈ "hateful, hostile, enemy" and appears to be pre-Greek. The modern Greek word
"εχθρός" (ehkh-THROS) ≈ "enemy".
The Greek word would apply to anyone who is
"hateful" or
"hostile" to you. You may not even consider them an
"enemy". Perhaps, just "
annoying". This will be in line with the "
stupid things" verses right after the Lord's Prayer.
By the English definition, an
"enemy" is someone or some entity (e.g., government, civil authority, etc.) who is "
against" you.
Provide examples of the following.
☐
Actual enemies
☐
Perceived enemies
Historical example: Totalitarian regimes often need to create enemies to keep the people focused on fighting the outside
"enemy" rather than inside
"enemy" (i.e., the oppressive regime in power).
22. Deceptions
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου και μισησεις τον εχθρον σου [gnt]
Provide examples for the following common deceptions.
Make people think that friends are enemies.
Make people think that enemies are friends.
Discuss:
Is the enemy of your enemy your friend?
Can you be your own worst enemy?
Can you oppress yourself?
23. Matthew 10:16 Animal crackers
In Matthew 10:16, Jesus uses
four creatures in one verse:
sheep,
wolves,
serpents and
doves or (
pigeons) as
"birds". The English adjectives do not fit the Greek words.
Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. [kjv]
ιδου εγω αποστελλω υμας ως προβατα εν μεσω λυκων γινεσθε ουν φρονιμοι ως οι οφεις και ακεραιοι ως αι περιστεραι [gnt]
"
Wolves" operate in groups and look for any weakness in their prey. Wolves and dogs can interbreed. A "
wolf-dog" is in contrast to a "
sheep-dog".
The
"serpents" are
not "wise" in the English sense. They are
opportunistic and
prudent. So, no "
wise crackers" here!
The
"doves" or
"pigeons" (same bird) or
"birds" are
not "
harmless" in the English sense. They are without frills (insect antennas), with smooth feathers, preened of pests. not fact-checked, etc. Is this how
"birds" of "
prey" or
"pray" want to appear?
24. Matthew 24:8-10 False prophets
In the
Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24, Jesus tells the disciples (at their request) about the
End Times (or
All of It).
Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. [kjv]
παντα δε ταυτα αρχη ωδινων [gnt]
24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [kjv]
τοτε παραδωσουσιν υμας εις θλιψιν και αποκτενουσιν υμας και εσεσθε μισουμενοι υπο παντων των εθνων δια το ονομα μου [gnt]
24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [kjv]
και τοτε σκανδαλισθησονται πολλοι και αλληλους παραδωσουσιν και μισησουσιν αλληλους [gnt]
In a world of billions of people, how many is many?
The Greek translated as
"nations" is that of
"people" or
"ethnics". The Greek translated as "
offended" is that of "
entrapped" or "
misinterpreted".
If the world love's you, are you doing something wrong?
25. Matthew 24:11-12
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [kjv]
και πολλοι ψευδοπροφηται εγερθησονται και πλανησουσιν πολλους [gnt]
24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [kjv]
και δια το πληθυνθηναι την ανομιαν ψυγησεται η αγαπη των πολλων [gnt]
The Greek translated as "
iniquity" is that of, literally, "
against the law" and is a play on words with the Greek word for "
wind" with allusions to the great accuser Satan.
God has two main laws, love God and love neighbor
as yourself.
26. Enemies and hate
The Greek word translated as "
enemy" has a primary meaning of "
hate".
Do people who display a sign saying that
hate has no home here (or something similar) have any
hate towards those they consider
hateful?
A
hateful movement can be appealing to people who are
hateful because it allows them to be
hateful while feeling good about it.
This paradox is related to the
toleration paradox in that some people consider
hate anything that they do not agree with. In that sense, they are as
hateful as those that they claim to
hate (though they do not want to use that word).
Saying:
One person's freedom fighter is another person's terrorist. [Star Wars example]
27. Enemies and hate
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου και μισησεις τον εχθρον σου [gnt]
The idea of
"hate" appears not to always go both ways (i.e., it is not always commutative).
Discuss:
What are some examples of A does hate B but B does not hate A?
Do pastors, etc., ever consider people "hateful" because those people prefer to go along with what the Bible says rather than what the pastor, etc., says? Note: They will not use the word "hateful" but their actions are often in line with that word.
Can one act hateful towards someone without ever using the words hateful (or similar words)?
In previous verses (e.g., four verses earlier), Jesus used a play on words for
"enemy" or those who are
"hostile". That play on words is
not used here.
28. Matthew 5:39 Whosoever is hostile
Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [kjv]
εγω δε λεγω υμιν μη αντιστηναι τω πονηρω αλλ οστις σε ραπιζει εις την δεξιαν σιαγονα σου στρεψον αυτω και την αλλην [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"ὅστις" ≈ "whoever, whosoever" is used in this exact form
16 times in Matthew,
15 by Jesus. and just
10 other times in the
GNT (Greek New Testament). This is a play on words here in
both Greek and Latin.
"ὅστις" ≈ "whoever, whosoever".
"ὀστέον" ≈ "bone" as in the first part of the English word "osteoporosis".
The English word
"hostile" comes, through French, from the Latin word
"hostis" ≈ "enemy" which is similar to how the Greek word would be pronounced. [guest, ghost, host, hostile]
29. Matthew 5:43 Friedrich Nietzsche
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
The man of knowledge must be able not only to love his enemies but also to hate his friends. Friedrich Nietzsche (German philosopher, culture critic)
Man is his own worst enemy because he has no other choice Friedrich Nietzsche (German philosopher, culture critic)
30. Matthew 5:43 Teddy Roosevelt
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
On Valentine's Day, February 14, 1884, both the mother and wife of Teddy Roosevelt died. He wrote in his journal:
The light has gone out of my life.
People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care Teddy Roosevelt (26th President of the United States)
31. Quotes
Theodore Roosevelt had a penchant for creating or popularizing short names and phrases that could be remembered such as "
Walk softly and carry a big stick",the "
Rough riders", etc.
Weasel words (soft and ambiguous language)
Muckraker (A journalist who searches for dishonorable aims and tactics used by public figures)
Lunatic fringe (from his autobiography in 1913)
Bully pulpit (A position noticeable enough to provide an opportunity to speak out and be heard)
Hat in the ring (campaign has officially begun)
32. Quotes
Square deal (fair arrangement, later Franklin Roosevelt would have the New Deal)
Nailing the jelly to the wall (an impossible task)
Mollycoddle (weak and cowardly)
Pussyfooting (refrain from commitment)
Strong as a Bull Moose (immense strength)
White-capper (law breaker)
Nature-Faker (ideas about animal behavior)
33. Matthew 5:43 Enemies
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
The enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan. Carl von Clausewitz (Prussian military theorist)
 |
 |
Map: Battle of Austerlitz
|
Map: Battle of Chancellorsville
|
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake. Napoleon Bonaparte (French Emperor and military leader)
Napoleon did this again and again as his prey fell into his traps.
Austerlitz (December 2, 1805), or Battle of the Three Emperors, is an excellent example. Another good example is
Lee at the battle of
Chancellorsville (April 30 to May 6, 1863) in the American Civil War (1861-1865). Both involved the ideas of
divide and
conquer.
Last words of Stonewall Jackson:
Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.
34. Love and the world
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. [kjv]
ταυτα εντελλομαι υμιν ινα αγαπατε αλληλους [gnt]
Living a life of love is NOT going along with everyone's point of view.
Some will claim this is the most important command from Jesus and that it "
changes everything".
Jesus is talking to believers (his disciples).
Some will extend this to the world without constraints.
The constraint is "
love your neighbor as yourself". The "
as yourself" is constraint is often omitted. Those who promote this (deceptive) idea ignore the next two verses.
35. Hate and the world
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [kjv]
ει ο κοσμος υμας μισει γινωσκετε οτι εμε πρωτον υμων μεμισηκεν [gnt]
15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. [kjv]
ει εκ του κοσμου ητε ο κοσμος αν το ιδιον εφιλει οτι δε εκ του κοσμου ουκ εστε αλλ εγω εξελεξαμην υμας εκ του κοσμου δια τουτο μισει υμας ο κοσμος [gnt]
If the world loves you, is something wrong? Perhaps you have moved away from the truth (reality) of Jesus. Discuss:
How can one "out-love the world" without becoming "of the world"?
Is "out-loving the world" the goal? Provide some Bible verses (in context) in support of this goal.
[converse fallacy, a implies b does not mean that b implies a]
36. Matthew 5:43 Hate
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. [kjv]
ηκουσατε οτι ερρεθη αγαπησεις τον πλησιον σου και μισησεις τον εχθρον σου [gnt]
The (people in the) "
world" will
"hate" the
believer because the "
world"
"hates" Jesus.
The ancient Greek word
"ἐχθρός" ≈ "hateful, hostile, enemy" and appears to be pre-Greek. The modern Greek word
"εχθρός" (ehkh-THROS) ≈ "enemy".
That is, you should
"love" those who are
"hateful" or
"hostile" towards you without doing anything that would violate God's laws.
37. Matthew 5:44 Added words
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [kjv]
εγω δε λεγω υμιν αγαπατε τους εχθρους υμων και προσευχεσθε υπερ των διωκοντων υμας [gnt]
The
TR adds some words to this verse. Do the words added by the
TR fit the use of the word
"good" as Jesus appears to use that word?
38. Matthew 5:44 Love
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [kjv]
εγω δε λεγω υμιν αγαπατε τους εχθρους υμων και προσευχεσθε υπερ των διωκοντων υμας [gnt]
If everyone is either a fellow believer or a neighbor, then one should pray for your neighbors. These would include any
"enemies".
Love your "neighbor" (as yourself).
Love your "enemy".
Can a religious institution be your
"enemy"? That is, be
"hateful". Are there any historic examples?
How might you love your
"neighbor" doing something that you might not do for an
"enemy"?
The ancient Greek word
"διώκω" ≈ "pursue" in the sense of
"going after" or, in
context,
"persecuting".
39. Philippians 3:6,14 Pursing persecution
The ancient Greek word
"διώκω" ≈ "pursue" in the sense of
"going after" or, in
context,
"persecuting". The Greek word "
blameless" is "
without spots".
Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [kjv]
κατα ζηλος διωκων την εκκλησιαν κατα δικαιοσυνην την εν νομω γενομενος αμεμπτος [gnt]
Paul was
"pursuing" in the
wrong direction in a
"physical" way according to
man's "righteousness". The Greek for "
zeal" is that of "
competing with others for the same goal".
Paul is now
"pursuing" (same word) in the
right direction in a
"non-physical" way.
3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. [kjv]
κατα σκοπον διωκω εις το βραβειον της ανω κλησεως του θεου εν χριστω ιησου [gnt]
40. Parthian shot
Should you take "
pot shots" at your enemy while being "
pursued"?
Parthia was fond of shooting arrows at the enemy as they retreated or faked a retreat. This was
before the invention of
saddles (about 365 A.D.) and
stirrups (China 4th century, westward to Europe in the Middle Ages).
Was it a retreat or a trick to lure one into a trap? The "
Parthian shot" become known as the "
parting shot".
[currant jelly, no saddles, no stirrups, Arthur Conan Doyle, Crassus and Carrhae]
With the Parthian shot, one never knew if this was an actual retreat or a deceptive retreat to lure one into a trap. This technique is most famous in the Parthian victory over Roman general Crassus in the battle of Carrhae.
41. Matthew 5:44
KJV: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Greek: εγω δε λεγω υμιν αγαπατε τους εχθρους υμων ευλογειτε τους καταρωμενους υμας καλως ποιειτε τους μισουντας υμας και και προσευχεσθε υπερ των επηρεαζοντων υμας και διωκοντων υμας
42. Matthew 5:44 Praying and preying
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [kjv]
εγω δε λεγω υμιν αγαπατε τους εχθρους υμων και προσευχεσθε υπερ των διωκοντων υμας [gnt]
You should
"pray" or
"put foreword a wish"for those who are
"hostile" towards you.
You should not be like a
bird and
prey on others. Some
birds prey on others in the manner in which they
pray.
The ancient Greek word
"προσεύχομαι" ≈ "pray, vow, request" as in a request as a wish.
43. Matthew 21:22 Prayers and wishes
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. [kjv]
και παντα οσα αν αιτησητε εν τη προσευχη πιστευοντες λημψεσθε [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"προσεύχομαι" ≈ "pray, vow, request" as in a request as a wish and comes from two Greek words.
"πρός" ≈ "to".
"εὔχομαι " ≈ "pray, vow" and which means, literally, a "good wish".
A double-meaning here is that it can refer to the common idea of a "
prayer" but also to a request or bid for something as a "
good wish".
The idea of a "
prayer bead" or "
prayer prayer" goes back to the English word
"bid" as in a request or "
prayer". The actual "
bead" is a reminder of a needed "
bid" or "
prayer".
44. Matthew 5:44 Enemies
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [kjv]
εγω δε λεγω υμιν αγαπατε τους εχθρους υμων και προσευχεσθε υπερ των διωκοντων υμας [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"προσεύχομαι" ≈ "pray, vow, request" as in a
"request" as a
"wish". What should you
"pray" for?
Should you give the
"enemy" the following?
☐
bread to
eat
☐
water to
drink
Might this include the "
bread" of "
life" and/or "
living" "
water"?
Sign:
If you don't eat of the bread of life, you are toast!
45. Matthew 5:44 Enemies
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; [kjv]
εγω δε λεγω υμιν αγαπατε τους εχθρους υμων και προσευχεσθε υπερ των διωκοντων υμας [gnt]
What if the
"enemy" is a religious institution that thinks they already have the "
bread" of "
live" and the "
living" "
water" and think that you do not?
That is, the religious institution considers themselves as "
wheat" and you as a "
weed". What if you are the "
wheat" and they are the "
weeds"? This is, in part, the point of the second kingdom parable in Matthew 13. By stating the problem the way Jesus does, it provides an approximate fault-tolerant approach to the toleration paradox.
46. Matthew 6:12 Forgive our debts and debtors
Pray:
Forgive our debts to those who wanted us to do something their will and we, instead, did your will.
Help us forgive the debts of those to whom we loaned so they could do your will.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [kjv]
Why do many modern translations change "
debts" (clearly in the Greek) to "
sins" or "
trespasses" and then make them
against us (not in the Greek)?
47. Matthew 5:45-46 Rain on the just and unjust
Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. [kjv]
5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? [kjv]
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount summary, the "
rain" will fall on
both the "
house" built on "
rock" and the "
house" built on "
sand". One wall not "
fall". One will be "
cut off".
48. End of page
