Mat 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Greek?
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Imperative: Mat 05:43-48. v. 44 Love … pray … bless (3 imperatives)
Context:
Mat 05:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
Mat 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Mat 5:45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Advocated behaviors, therefore, a command
We are not called to be less but more than we are.
Shall be, must be perfect … not an imperative verb.
KJV is closer to the Greek text. Are there textual problems?
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
GREEK VERBS: No imperative verbs are present.
GREEK VERBS: No imperative verbs are present other than “Behold.”
V-PMA-2P = Verb – Tense: Present/Mood: Imperative/Voice: Active – Person: 2nd Person Plural
44
4336 [e] proseuchesthe προσεύχεσθε pray V-PMM/P-2P |
V-AMA-2S = Verb – Tense: Aorist/Mood: Imperative/Voice: Active – Person: 2nd Person Singular
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NOTE (my commentary)
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
What does this quote say?
What does it say that I should obey?
What is the wish? What are the outcomes?
What are the basic steps?
What are the obstacles?
Who needs to hear this?
RESOURCES
SOURCE – Footnotes:
Link to text:
Link to Greek Interlinear text: https://biblehub.com/interlinear/matthew/5.htm
A sermon was preached on this command:
Last post revision: 9/05/18.
Last revision: 01-07-2023
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