Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 5:44

"but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;" — Matthew 5:44 (ASV)

Jesus allowed no casuistry. The real direction indicated by the law is love, rich and costly, and extended even to enemies. Many take the verb and the noun “love” (GK 26 & 27) as always signifying self-giving regardless of emotion, but such an interpretation is unwarranted. The content of Christian love is not based on a presupposed definition but on Jesus’ teaching and example. To love one’s enemies, though it must result in activities such as doing them good (Lk 6:32-33) and praying for them (Matthew 5:44), cannot justly be restricted to activities devoid of any concern, sentiment, or emotion. There is no reason to think the verb here in Matthew does not include emotion as well as action.

The specific “enemy” referred to here is one’s persecutors. Jesus himself repeatedly warns his disciples of impending persecution (e.g., vv.10–12; 10:16– 23; 24:9–13). If Matthew’s first readers were being persecuted for their faith, that was doubtless one application they made.

Jesus’ disciples have as their example God himself, who loves so indiscriminately that he sends sun and rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. Yet we must not thereby conclude that God’s love toward people is in all respects without distinction, and that therefore all will be saved (see 25:31– 46). Theologians call this love of God his “common grace” (i.e., the gracious favor God bestows “commonly,” without distinction, on everyone).

God’s example provides the incentive for Jesus’ disciples to be “sons of [their] Father” (v.45). Ultimately this clause points to the necessity of pursuing a certain kind of sonship patterned after the Father’s own character. Jesus’ disciples must live and love in a way superior to the patterns around them. Jesus goes on to point out that even the despised tax collectors (see comment on Mk 2:14) love those who love them; Christian love must go beyond what naturally takes place.