Luke 6:27
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luke 6:27 (KJV)
Context
Luke 6:27 belongs to the Sermon on the Plain, where Jesus addresses His disciples and a large crowd about the values of God’s kingdom. The opening phrase, “But I say unto you which hear,” is a direct and personal call. It distinguishes those who truly listen—with a heart ready to obey—from those who merely hear the words. Jesus then gives a twofold command: love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. This teaching stands in sharp contrast to the common ethical standards of the day and to our natural human instincts.
Meaning
The Greek word translated “love” here is agape, which means an unconditional, sacrificial love. It is not a feeling based on the worthiness of the other person, but a deliberate choice to seek the highest good of another, even when that person is hostile. Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies in this way, imitating God’s love for humanity. The command to “do good” makes this love practical. It is not enough to feel goodwill; love must be expressed in concrete actions of kindness, compassion, and grace toward those who hate us. This challenges our natural desire to retaliate or seek revenge, and it calls us to respond with goodness instead.
Biblical connections
This verse sets the stage for the verses that follow, where Jesus expands the command: bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you, and go beyond what is expected in responding to hostility (Luke 6:28-30). The surrounding context includes blessings and woes (Luke 6:20-26), where Jesus contrasts the poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted with the rich, full, laughing, and well-spoken-of. This teaching is part of Jesus’ broader message about the kingdom of God, where the world’s values are inverted and believers are called to reflect the character of God, who is kind to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35-36).
Application
This commandment challenges us to examine our hearts and attitudes toward those we consider enemies or people we struggle to love. It encourages us to respond with love, grace, and acts of kindness instead of hatred, bitterness, or revenge. By doing so, we can demonstrate the transformative power of Christ’s love and contribute to peace and reconciliation. When we respond to hate with love, we may break the cycle of animosity and, by God’s grace, change hearts. This is not merely a moral ideal; it is a way of reflecting God’s character and showing the world the reality of His love.
Luke 6:27 teaches us the radical concept of loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us.
It challenges our natural inclinations and calls us to demonstrate a selfless, sacrificial love that imitates God’s love for humanity.
By obeying this command, we can reflect Christ’s character and bring about transformation in our relationships and the world around us.
Reflection
Jesus’ instruction to love our enemies and do good to them carries a profound spiritual message. It is an opportunity to reflect God’s character and demonstrate the power of His love to the world. As we obey, we trust that God sees our obedience and will reward it, even when the results are not immediately visible.
