God's Love for Enemies in Scripture and Teaching
The command to love one's enemies is a distinctive ethical teaching found in the New Testament, particularly in the words of Jesus [2, 3]. Jesus explicitly states, "But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you" [2]. This teaching is echoed in Luke's Gospel, which adds, "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil" [3].
This radical ethic contrasts with common ancient world teachings that encouraged love for family and friends but hatred for enemies [8]. The love commanded by Jesus is not merely an emotional affection but a "moral love," characterized by a benevolent desire for the good of the other, even those who are hostile [12]. This involves concrete actions such as praying for enemies, doing good to them, and assisting them when they are in need [1, 12]. For instance, the instruction to feed a hungry enemy and give a thirsty enemy water is found in Proverbs and cited in Romans, indicating a continuity of this principle [9, 1].
The Old Testament also contains principles that foreshadow this New Testament command. Proverbs encourages not rejoicing at an enemy's misfortune or stumbling [11]. It also states, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink" [9]. Matthew Henry notes that this demonstrates that the commandment to love enemies was not entirely new with Jesus but was an "Old Testament commandment" given new enforcement by Christ's example [9]. God's ability to turn foes into friends when people please Him is also noted in Proverbs [7].
Jesus himself exemplified this love by praying for his enemies, as seen when he prayed for those who crucified him [1, 5]. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, followed this example by praying for those who stoned him [1, 10]. The Apostle Paul further articulates this in Romans, urging believers to "overcome evil with good" and to bless those who persecute them [1, 6]. This approach is seen as a way to overcome enemies by kindness rather than revenge [1, 6]. While some Old Testament passages express a desire for God to cut off enemies [4], other texts, like Job, show a forgiving spirit that anticipates the New Testament teaching [10]. Even God's actions, though sometimes described in terms of judgment, are understood not as "enmity" or "cruelty" but as righteous responses to sin [13].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Enemies — Christ prayed for his -- Lu 23:34. The lives of, to be spared -- 1Sa 24:10; 2Sa 16:10,11. The goods of, to be taken care of -- Ex 23:4,5. Should be Loved. -- Mt 5:44. Prayed for. -- Ac 7:60. Assisted. -- Pr 25:21; Ro 12:20. Overcome by kindness. -- 1Sa 26:21. Rejoice not at the misfortunes of -- Job 31:29. Rejoice not at the failings of -- Pr 24:17. Desire not the death of -- 1Ki 3:11. Curse them not -- Job 31:30. Be affectionately concerned for -- Ps 35:13. The friendship of, deceitful -- 2Sa 20:9,10; Pr 26:26; 27:6; Mt 26:48,49. God defends against -- Ps ”
- Matthew “But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, -- Matthew 5:44”
- Luke “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. -- Luke 6:35”
- Psalms “In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am your servant. -- Psalms 143:12”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of Christ, The — To the Father -- Ps 91:14; Joh 14:31. To his church -- Song 4:8,9; 5:1; Joh 15:9; Eph 5:24. To those who love him -- Pr 8:17; Joh 14:21. Manifested in his Coming to seek the lost. -- Lu 19:10. Praying for his enemies. -- Lu 23:34. Giving himself for us. -- Ga 2:20. Dying for us. -- Joh 15:13; 1Jo 3:16. Washing away our sins. -- Re 1:5. Interceding for us. -- Heb 7:25; 9:24. Sending the Spirit. -- Ps 68:18; Joh 16:7. Rebukes and chastisements. -- Re 3:19. Passes knowledge -- Eph 3:19. To be imitated -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. To sain”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Revenge — Forbidden by our Lord -- Le 19:18; Pr 24:17,29; Mt 5:39-41; Ro 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Christ an example of forbearing -- Isa 53:7; 1Pe 2:23. Rebuked by Christ -- Lu 9:54,55. Inconsistent with Christian spirit -- Lu 9:55. Proceeds from a spiteful heart -- Eze 25:15. Instead of taking, we should Trust in God. -- Pr 20:22; Ro 12:16. Exhibit love. -- Le 19:18; Lu 6:35. Give place to wrath. -- Ro 12:19. Exercise forbearance. -- Mt 5:38-41. Bless. -- Ro 12:14. Overcome others by kindness. -- Pr 25:21,22; Ro 12:20. Keep others from taking -- 1Sa 24:10; 25:24”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:7: Note, 1. God can turn foes into friends when he pleases. He that has all hearts in his hand has access to men's spirits and power over them, working insensibly, but irresistibly upon them, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him, can change their minds, or force them into a feigned submission. He can slay all enemies, and bring those together that were at the greatest distance from each other. 2. He will do it for us when we please him. If we make it our care to be reconciled to God, and to keep ourselves in his love, he will incline those that have bee”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 6:27: 6:27 love your enemies! People were commonly taught in the ancient world to love their family and friends and hate their enemies. Jesus announced a radical new ethic of loving even one’s enemies and overcoming evil through self-sacrificial love for others, not through violence and hatred (cp. Rom 12:14-21).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 25:21: By this it appears that, however the scribes and Pharisees had corrupted the law, not only the commandment of loving our brethren, but even that of loving our enemies, was not only a new, but also an old commandment, an Old Testament commandment, though our Saviour has given it to us with the new enforcement of his own great example in loving us when we were enemies. Observe, 1. How we must express our love to our enemies by the real offices of kindness, even those that are expensive to ourselves and most acceptable to them: "If they be hungry and thirsty, inst”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 42:9: The forgiving spirit of Job foreshadows the love of Jesus Christ and of Christians to enemies (Mat 5:44; Luk 23:34; Act 7:60; Act 16:24, Act 16:28, Act 16:30-31).”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 24:17: 24:17-18 Saying 28: This saying leads to Jesus’ call to love our enemies (Matt 5:43-48).”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies--The word here used denotes moral love, as distinguished from the other word, which expresses personal affection. Usually, the former denotes "complacency in the character" of the person loved; but here it denotes the benignant, compassionate outgoings of desire for another's good. bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you--The best commentary on these matchless counsels is the bright example of Him who gave them. (See Pe1 2:21-24; a”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 30:14: lovers--the peoples formerly allied to thee, Assyria and Egypt (compare Lam 1:2). seek thee not--have cast away all concern for thee in thy distress. wound of an enemy--a wound such as an enemy would inflict. God condescends to employ language adapted to human conceptions. He is incapable of "enmity" or "cruelty"; it was their grievous sin which righteously demanded a grievous punishment, as though He were an "enemy" (Jer 5:6; Job 13:24; Job 30:21).”