What is the context?
After speaking about rejection because of the Son of Man, Jesus tells His hearers how to respond to enemies. Love is expressed in action: doing good, blessing, praying and giving. His examples concern people who cause harm or take advantage, making the instruction demanding and concrete.
The direction to treat others as we would want to be treated applies even when they have treated us badly. Jesus then asks what distinguishes His followers if they love, help or lend only when they expect the same in return.
The Father’s kindness supplies the reason for a different response. He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked, and His children are to show the family likeness through mercy. The passage reaches its summary in the call to be merciful as their Father is merciful.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christian traditions commonly call for love of enemies, prayer for those who mistreat us and the surrender of personal revenge. They differ over what that requires when violence and protection of others are involved.
The Catholic Church permits proportionate defense and teaches that protecting someone entrusted to one’s care can be a duty. Reformed teaching in the Westminster Confession permits a public role for Christians in restraining wrongdoing, including force on just and necessary occasions. These readings distinguish personal vengeance from protective or public responsibility. (Catechism 2263–2265; Westminster Confession 23.1–2)
Mennonite Church USA’s confession instead calls believers to resist evil without violence, including in the face of warfare, and rejects military participation. Its position also opposes abuse and injustice and calls for active peacemaking. This reading understands nonviolence as a way of pursuing justice and reconciliation. (Confession of Faith, article 22)
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Paul explains God’s mercy through Christ’s death for people who were still sinners and enemies. The love Jesus commands reflects the love through which God brings enemies into reconciliation with Himself. The cross gives the larger saving setting for the Father’s kindness described here. (Romans 5:6–11)
Romans also carries this teaching into the life of believers: bless persecutors, give food and drink to an enemy in need, leave vengeance with God, and overcome evil with good. Mercy becomes a visible response to the mercy already received. (Romans 12:14–21)
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.