Loving Difficult Neighbors as Ourselves Biblically
Biblical Foundation for Loving Neighbors
The biblical command to love one's neighbor as oneself is rooted in Leviticus 19:18, which is cited multiple times in the New Testament [7]. Jesus himself quotes this verse in Matthew 22:39, emphasizing its importance alongside loving God [1]. The apostle James also references this command, calling it the "royal law" (James 2:8) [2].
Definition and Scope
Loving one's neighbor involves treating others with kindness, compassion, and empathy, just as one would desire for themselves. This principle is not limited to those who are easy to love; it extends to all individuals, including those who may be considered difficult or unlovable. The biblical concept of "neighbor" is broad, encompassing not just friends and family but also strangers and even enemies [4].
Biblical Examples and Exhortations
The Bible provides numerous examples and exhortations to demonstrate love towards others. Abraham's hospitality to strangers, who turned out to be angels, is a notable example (Genesis 18:1-8) [4]. The apostle Paul encourages believers to "please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up" (Romans 15:2) [3]. This includes showing mercy, kindness, and compassion to those in need, such as the poor, the afflicted, and even animals [6, 5].
Interpretive Traditions
Various Christian traditions have interpreted the command to love one's neighbor in different ways. Some, like Adam Clarke, emphasize that this command is not new to the New Testament but is rooted in the Old Testament law (Leviticus 19:18) [9]. Others, such as the Tyndale House commentary, highlight the significance of this verse in both the Old and New Testaments, noting its inclusion of foreigners and the importance of love in governing the conduct of believers [7, 8].
Practical Application
Practically, loving one's neighbor as oneself involves actions such as showing kindness, empathy, and compassion. It means not harboring hatred or grudges but instead seeking the well-being of others, even when they are difficult to love. The golden rule, as expressed by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, is to love one's neighbor "as thyself, not more than thyself" [10]. This principle is echoed in the writings of Matthew Henry, who recommends showing friendship and kindness to others as a means of cultivating meaningful relationships [11].
The biblical command to love one's neighbor as oneself remains a cornerstone of Christian ethics, calling believers to demonstrate love, kindness, and compassion towards all individuals, regardless of their background or behavior. As seen in the examples of Abraham and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, this principle is fundamental to living out one's faith in a way that honors God and blesses others.
Sources
- Matthew “A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ -- Matthew 22:39”
- James “James 2:8 (BSB) — If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.”
- Romans “Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up. -- Romans 15:2”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Hospitality — Hospitality was regarded by most nations of the ancient world as one of the chief virtues. The Jewish laws respecting strangers (Leviticus 19:33,34) and the poor, (Leviticus 23:14) seq. Deuteronomy 15:7 And concerning redemption (Leviticus 25:23) seq., etc. are framed in accordance with the spirit of hospitality. In the law compassion to strangers is constantly enforced by the words "for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Leviticus 19:34) And before the law, Abraham's entertainment of the angels, (Genesis 18:1) seq., and Lot's, (Genesis 19:1) are ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy — After the example of God -- Lu 6:36. Enjoined -- 2Ki 6:21-23; Ho 12:6; Ro 12:20,21; Col 3:12. To be engraved on the heart -- Pr 3:3. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 37:26; Isa 57:1. Should be shown With cheerfulness. -- Ro 12:8. To our brethren. -- Zec 7:9. to those that are in distress. -- Lu 10:37. To the poor. -- Pr 14:31; Da 4:27. To backsliders. -- Lu 15:18-20; 2Co 2:6-8. To animals. -- Pr 12:10. Upholds the throne of kings -- Pr 20:28. Beneficial to those who exercise -- Pr 11:17. Blessedness of showing -- Pr 14:21; Mt 5:7. Hypocrites devoid of -- Mt 23:”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 19:18: 19:18 love your neighbor as yourself: This is the cornerstone for biblical ethics in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (see Matt 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Rom 13:8-9; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8). It includes foreigners (Lev 19:34; cp. Luke 10:30-37). Conversely, hate leads to a grudge that can bear violent fruit (see 1 Jn 2:10-11; 4:20).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 22:39: 22:39 Love your neighbor as yourself: Lev 19:18; see also Rom 13:9; Gal 5:6, 14; Jas 2:8.”
- Leviticus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Leviticus 19:17: Thou shalt not hate thy brother - Thou shalt not only not do him any kind of evil, but thou shalt harbor no hatred in thy heart towards him. On the contrary, thou shalt love him as thyself, Lev 19:18. Many persons suppose, from misunderstanding our Lord's words, Joh 13:34, A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another, etc., that loving our neighbor as ourselves was first instituted under the Gospel. This verse shows the opinion to be unfounded: but to love another as Christ has loved us, i. e., to lay down our lives for each other, is certainly a ”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 8:13: For--Supply from Co2 8:8, "I speak." My aim is not that others (namely, the saints at Jerusalem) may be relieved at the cost of your being "distressed" (so the Greek for "burdened"). The golden rule is, "Love thy neighbour as thyself," not more than thyself.”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 18:24: Solomon here recommends friendship to us, and shows, 1. What we must do that we may contract and cultivate friendship; we must show ourselves friendly. Would we have friends and keep them, we must not only not affront them, or quarrel with them, but we must love them, and make it appear that we do so by all expressions that are endearing, by being free with them, pleasing to them, visiting them and bidding them welcome, and especially by doing all the good offices we can and serving them in every thing that lies in our power; that is showing ourselves friendly.”