Lesson 9: Love Your Enemies
This Week's Bible Study: Matthew 5:43-48
Thank you for joining me today as we reflect on Matthew 5:43-48. In this passage, Jesus calls his followers to a standard of love that transcends worldly expectations and reflects the very heart of God.
Loving Beyond the World’s Standards
Jesus begins by quoting the common understanding of love and hate: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’" (Matthew 5:43). The command to love one’s neighbor is found in Leviticus 19:18, but nowhere in the Old Testament does God command his people to hate their enemies. This phrase likely emerged from cultural interpretations that permitted hostility toward outsiders. Jesus, however, overturns this thinking with a radical command: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
This teaching aligns with God’s character. As Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Loving those who love us is easy, but Jesus calls us to embody God’s love by extending grace even to those who oppose us.
Reflecting the Father’s Perfect Love
Jesus gives the reason for this command: “So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:45). Our love for enemies isn’t merely an ethical ideal – it’s a reflection of our identity as God’s children. Just as God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust,” we’re called to mirror his impartial kindness.
Jesus challenges worldly definitions of love: “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:46). Even sinners and outcasts practice reciprocal love, but true Kingdom living means loving when there’s no benefit to us. This is love that can only come from a heart transformed by Christ (1 John 4:19-21).
The Call to Perfection
Jesus concludes with a stunning command: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). The emphasis here is on being whole in our love, as God is whole in his love. The Greek word teleios conveys maturity and fullness. We’re called to love with the same radical, complete love that God demonstrates toward us. Having said that, being “perfect” here also has to with the standard of righteousness expected from those who follow Christ. After all, earlier in verse 20, Jesus said, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” They weren’t perfect, but they were striving for it, as misguided as they were in their pursuit of it.
This teaching is difficult, but it’s central to the Gospel. As Jesus prayed for his enemies on the cross (Luke 23:34) and Stephen prayed for his persecutors (Acts 7:60), so we’re called to forgive, bless, and love even those who mistreat us.
Key Principles
Just as God shows kindness to both the righteous and the unrighteous, we’re called to extend love beyond our comfort zone (Matthew 5:44-45).
The world loves those who love them, but Christ’s followers are called to a higher standard - loving without expectation of return (Matthew 5:46-47).
The goal of Christ’s teaching is that we would grow into the fullness of God’s love, reflecting his perfection (Matthew 5:48).
Bible Study Questions
How did Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:43-44 differ from the cultural expectations of his day?
What does it mean to love your enemies? How is this different from simply tolerating them?
How does God’s example of sending rain on both the just and unjust challenge our understanding of grace? (Matthew 5:45)
Why does Jesus use tax collectors as an example in Matthew 5:46? What point is he making?
How does Romans 5:8 help us understand the kind of love Jesus commands?
What practical steps can we take to love those who’ve wronged us?
How can prayer help us develop a heart that genuinely loves our enemies? (Matthew 5:44)
What does Jesus mean when he commands us to be “perfect” like our Father? (Matthew 5:48)
How does this passage connect to the overall theme of the Sermon on the Mount?
How does loving our enemies set Christians apart in today’s world?
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
Are there people in your life whom you struggle to love? How can you begin to show Christ’s love to them?
How does this passage challenge your natural inclinations toward justice and retaliation?
Have you ever experienced a time when loving an enemy changed a situation or relationship?
In what ways can you cultivate a love that mirrors God’s impartial kindness?
What does it mean for you personally to strive toward the completeness or maturity Jesus speaks of in Matthew 5:48?
How can forgiveness be an act of love toward an enemy?
How does remembering God’s love for you help you extend love to others?
How can you demonstrate Christlike love in difficult workplace or family relationships?
What role does humility play in loving those who mistreat us?
What would it look like for your church or community to truly embody this teaching?
Action Steps
Take time this week to intentionally pray for someone who has wronged or opposed you, asking God to soften your heart and bless them.
Find a practical way to show love to someone who may not expect it - whether through a kind word, a gesture of service, or a reconciliation effort.
Meditate on passages like Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:19-21, allowing them to shape how you love others.
Thank you for joining me today. My hope is that you were encouraged and blessed by reflecting on this passage. You can discover more devotionals, Bible studies, and other resources by clicking here: Walking Points. If you found this study helpful, please consider sharing it with others and encouraging them to subscribe as well.