If ye love them which love you what thank have ye for sinners also love those that love them. If ei conditional. Love agapate sacrificial love. Them which love tous agapōntas those loving. What thank charis grace credit. Have ye humin for you. Sinners hamartōloi moral failures. Also kai even. Love those that love reciprocal affection natural. Challenge to exceed natural love. Love for enemies next (v. 27). Love that loves back is not extraordinary. Even pagans do this. Christian love exceeds reciprocity. Love because God loved. Reformed theology emphasizes grace enables supernatural love. Natural man cannot love enemies. Regenerated heart empowered by Spirit can.
Historical Context
Reciprocal love is natural pagans atheists do this. Love family friends those who benefit you. Christian distinctiveness is enemy love (v. 27). This supernatural requires grace. Old covenant love neighbor hate enemy. Jesus new command love enemies. Only possible through Holy Spirit. Fruit of Spirit is love (Gal 5:22). Early church loved enemies prayed for persecutors. Martyrs forgave executioners. Medieval Crusades often forgot this. Reformation recovered enemy love. Modern church struggles loving across political lines. Need recover supernatural enemy love distinguishes Christians.
Questions for Reflection
Why is reciprocal love insufficient to demonstrate Christian distinctiveness?
How can believers love enemies when natural inclination is hatred?
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Analysis & Commentary
If ye love them which love you what thank have ye for sinners also love those that love them. If ei conditional. Love agapate sacrificial love. Them which love tous agapōntas those loving. What thank charis grace credit. Have ye humin for you. Sinners hamartōloi moral failures. Also kai even. Love those that love reciprocal affection natural. Challenge to exceed natural love. Love for enemies next (v. 27). Love that loves back is not extraordinary. Even pagans do this. Christian love exceeds reciprocity. Love because God loved. Reformed theology emphasizes grace enables supernatural love. Natural man cannot love enemies. Regenerated heart empowered by Spirit can.