The Redemptive Nature of Loving One's Enemies
The concept of loving one's enemies is a distinctive ethical teaching within Christianity, prominently articulated by Jesus in the Gospels. In Luke 6:35, Jesus instructs his followers to "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" [2]. This teaching represents a radical departure from common ancient world ethics, which often encouraged loving friends and family while hating enemies [5].
This "moral love" (as distinguished from personal affection) involves "the benignant, compassionate outgoings of desire for another's good" [7]. It is not merely an internal sentiment but is to be expressed through concrete actions. Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5:44 further elaborates on this, urging believers to "bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" [7]. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment, advising, "If thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him drink" (Romans 12:20) [10]. This approach suggests that acts of kindness can lead a hostile person to repentance and restore fellowship [11].
While Jesus's teaching provides a new enforcement, the principle of showing kindness to enemies has roots in the Old Testament. Proverbs 25:21, for instance, states, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink" [8]. The Old Testament also contains examples of sparing enemies' lives and caring for their goods [4]. However, the Psalms also contain prayers for God to destroy enemies, reflecting a different aspect of ancient Israelite piety [1, 9].
The redemptive nature of loving one's enemies lies in its potential to transform relationships. God, who "can turn foes into friends when he pleases," can work on the hearts of individuals, changing their minds or leading them to submission [6]. This transformation is a form of reconciliation, defined as a change from enmity to friendship, which is mutual [3]. By extending love and kindness, believers are called to lay aside enmity and foster a change in disposition, reflecting God's own kindness toward the unthankful and evil [2, 3].
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 143:12 (LEB) — And in your loyal love destroy my enemies, and exterminate all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant.”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- 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 ”
- 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 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”
- 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”
- 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”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 41:11: favourest--or tenderly lovest me (Gen 34:19), evinced by relief from his enemies, and, farther, God recognizes his innocence by upholding him.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 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, Rom 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 loved, tenderness be used to him, and pity shown him: all men, even enemies, are to be ”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:20: 12:20-21 A simple act of Christian kindness can often bring a hostile person to repentance before God and restore fellowship between people.”