Lucas 6

Samuel Johnson · Citado em PreceptAustin

Lucas 6

Johnson - How do we love our enemies? I have a few suggestions: 1. Greet Them. Greet your enemies. This is a simple step we often overlook. One part of loving our enemies is to greet them graciously when we see them; instead of avoiding them. Don't look the other way or duck into a room or try to hide from them. Greet them. 2. Disarm Them. That's what you do when you turn the other cheek or go the second mile. You disarm them by doing the very thing they least expect. 3. Do Good to Them. It's interesting that both times in this passage when Jesus says, “Love your enemies,” He follows it immediately by saying, “Do good to them.” The idea is, you make the first move. 4. Refuse to Speak Evil of Them. That's what Jesus meant when He said, “Bless those who curse you.” It means you refuse to think evil thoughts and you refuse to speak evil words against those who have wronged you. Every time you tell someone what wrong someone has done to you, it's like driving another nail into the coffin of your unforgiveness. The more you talk about the hurt, the more it's going to hurt and the harder it will be for you to forgive. 5. Thank God for Them. If you believe in the sovereignty of God, you must believe that God allowed your enemy to be sent to you by God's design and with his approval. Your enemy could not torment you apart from God's permission and God would not permit it if He did not intend to bring something good out of it. 6. Pray for Them. As you pray for them, God may change them and He will surely change you. 7. Ask God to Bless Them. Though you may not know it, your enemy is a gift from God to you. To say that is not to excuse evil or condone mistreatment. That's what Joseph meant when he said to his brothers, “You meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Our enemies humble us. They keep us on our knees. They reveal our weaknesses. They expose our total need for God. ILLUSTRATION - In The Grace of Giving, Stephen Olford tells of a Baptist pastor during the American Revolution, Peter Miller, who lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington. In Ephrata also, lived Michael Wittman, an evil-minded man who did all he could to oppose and humiliate this dear pastor. One day Michael Wittman was arrested for treason and sentenced to die. Pastor Peter Miller traveled seventy miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead for the life of the traitor. "No, Peter," General Washington said. "I cannot grant you the life of your friend." "My friend!" exclaimed the old preacher. "He's the bitterest enemy I have." "What?" cried Washington. "You've walked seventy miles to save the life of an enemy? That puts the matter in different light. I'll grant your pardon." Washington granted the pardon and Peter Miller took Michael Wittman back home to Ephrata--no longer an enemy but a friend. His love for his enemy changed his enemy. (Treasures from the Scriptures) ILLUSTRATION - I heard about a pastor who was preaching one Sunday on “Forgiving Your Enemies.” After the sermon he asked, “How many of you are willing to forgive your enemies?” About half of the people raised their hands. Not satisfied with the response, he preached another fifteen minutes and repeated his question: “How many of you are willing to forgive your enemies now?” About eighty percent raised their hands. Still not satisfied, he preached ten more minutes and asked the same question. With the thought of Sunday lunch in mind, all responded except one old gentleman in the back. “Mr. Jones, are you not willing to forgive your enemies?” Mr. Jones replied, “I don't have any.” “Mr. Jones, that's very unusual. How old are you?” He replied, “I'm eighty-six years of age.” “Mr. Jones, please come to the front and tell this congregation how a man can live eighty-six years and not have an enemy in the world.” The old man made his way to the front, turned around, and with a smile said, “It's easy, Preacher. I just outlived all of them.” The only problem with that is, I know folks that still hate folks even though they are dead. (Pastor Lowell Johnson) GREAT ILLUSTRATION OF THE POWER OF LOVING ONE'S ENEMIES Be A Revolutionary —Luke 6:27 People who can love their enemies are revolutionaries. A graduate student named Jack became such a revolutionary, in spite of himself. One summer he asked God for a ministry. He contacted several organizations but found no openings. Finally he had to take any job available. He ended up driving a public transportation bus in Chicago. A street gang rode his bus every day without paying and made threats against him. One day they dragged him off the bus and beat him unconscious. In the hospital, Jack was bitter toward them and God. “Lord,” he complained, “I prayed for a ministry and all You gave me was this lousy job and a beating!” Jack pressed charges, and the gang members were arrested, brought to trial, and found guilty. But during the trial, God began replacing Jack’s bitterness with compassion and love. When the judge pronounced the sentence, Jack asked for permission to serve their combined jail time. Stunned, the judge said, “There’s no precedent for this!” “Yes, there is,” Jack replied, explaining that Jesus died on the cross for a guilty world. Jack’s request was denied, but he began visiting the young men in jail and saw most of them come to know Christ. When we love others in that way, it’s revolutionary! Doing good to those who hate us, Lord, is difficult to do; Help us by Your grace to love them, Praying they will turn to You. —Sper To love a friend is natural, to love an enemy is Christlike. Doing Good : Luke 6:27-36 Jesus of Nazareth . . . went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. —Acts 10:38+ Someone once said, “The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.” I like that; it’s a great reminder. In the book of Acts, Luke summarized Jesus’ earthly ministry by saying that He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). What does the Bible mean when it tells us to “do good”? Jesus did good by teaching, healing, feeding, and comforting people. Using Jesus as the perfect example, His followers are called to meet the needs of others, including those who hate them: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you” (Matt. 5:44; see also Luke 6:27-35). They are to serve their enemies without expecting anything in return. Moreover, as opportunity arises, His followers are to do good especially to fellow believers (Gal. 6:10). They are not to let persecution, selfishness, and busyness cause them to forget to do good and to share what they have with others (Heb. 13:16). To be like our Savior and His early followers, we should ask ourselves each day: “What good thing can I do today in Jesus’ name?” When we do good, we will be offering a sacrifice that pleases God (Heb. 13:16) and that draws people to Him (Matt. 5:16). From the example of Jesus, Who went about doing good, We are to honor our Savior By helping wherever He would. —Hess Imitate Jesus— go about doing good. The Higher-Priced Brand —Luke 6:27 Imagine you are in your local supermarket and you walk up to a display that features a new kind of shoe polish. A salesperson grabs your attention and says, “This miracle of modern science will bring a rich luster to dull leather. It’s so good that everyone will notice the difference and want to know what you’re using. Sure, it costs more, but you really can’t afford not to buy it.” Up to this point you’ve been patient. But then you notice something that causes you to say, “I’m sure you believe in your fancy wax. But from what I can see, your shoe polish doesn’t work any better than the brand I usually buy. If what you’re selling is so great, why don’t your shoes shine brighter than mine?” Our efforts to interest people in the gospel are sometimes just as unconvincing. All too often we ask them to trust Christ as their Savior and be willing to pay the high price of following Him, but we fail to give them visible evidence that Christ makes a difference in our lives. How do we establish a credible witness? One way is to love our enemies and not just our friends. We can also show kindness when it’s not expected or deserved. By the Holy Spirit’s power, we can demonstrate that following Christ is well worth the higher price. May the mind of Christ my Savior Live in me from day to day, By His love and power controlling All I do and say. —Wilkinson Live so that when people get to know you they will get to know Christ. Touched by Grace Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Luke 6:27 Today's Scripture & Insight: Luke 6:27–36 In Leif Enger’s novel Peace Like a River, Jeremiah Land is a single father of three working as a janitor at a local school. He’s also a man of deep, sometimes miraculous, faith. Throughout the book, his faith is often tested. Jeremiah’s school is run by Chester Holden, a mean-spirited superintendent with a skin condition. Despite Jeremiah’s excellent work ethic—mopping up a sewage spill without complaint, picking up broken bottles the superintendent smashed—Holden wants him gone. One day, in front of all the students, he accuses Jeremiah of drunkenness and fires him. It’s a humiliating scene. How does Jeremiah respond? He could threaten legal action for unfair dismissal or make accusations of his own. He could slink away, accepting the injustice. Think for a moment what you might do. “Love your enemies,” Jesus says, “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27–28). These challenging words aren’t meant to excuse evil or stop justice from being pursued. Instead, they call us to imitate God (v. 36) by asking a profound question: How can I help my enemy become all God wants him or her to be? Jeremiah looks at Holden for a moment, then reaches up and touches his face. Holden steps back defensively, then feels his chin and cheeks in wonder. His scarred skin has been healed. What would your first reaction be in Jeremiah’s situation? How can you help a difficult person move closer to God’s purposes for them? God, when faced with unfairness, injustice, or abuse, show me how to help my enemy move closer to You. Is That You, Neighbor? And who is my neighbor? —Luke 10:29 Today's Scripture: Luke 6:27-36 An English yachtsman sailing in the Caribbean, 4,000 miles from home, lost his mast in a storm. He had been adrift for 2 days, and was taking water in 20-foot waves, when his desperate SOS was picked up. According to Ananova news service, 90 minutes later he was rescued by the captain of a 116,000-ton superliner. Only when he was pulled out of the water did the rescued sailor discover that the captain who had responded to his call for help was a neighbor from his Hampshire village of Warsash. The rescued man later asked, “What are the chances of being rescued in the middle of nowhere by your neighbor?” Jesus saw neighbors in unlikely places. When an expert in Jewish law asked Him to define the neighbor we are to love, Jesus drew a big circle. He told the story of a merciful Samaritan to show that a neighbor is the friend, stranger, or enemy who needs the help we can give (Luke 10). How many lives shall I touch today? How many neighbors will pass my way? I can bless so many and help so much If I meet each one with a Christlike touch. —Jones Our love for Christ is only as real as our love for our neighbor. Upside Down - You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies. —Matthew 5:43-44 When we’re transformed and made brand-new We see things differently; What once seemed right we now abhor, And wrong we clearly see. —Sper What may seem upside down to us is right side up to God. Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. KJV Luke 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. BGT εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς καταρωμένους ὑμᾶς, προσεύχεσθε περὶ τῶν ἐπηρεαζόντων ὑμᾶς. (Luk 6:28 BGT) Bless Lk 23:34; Acts 7:60; Romans 12:14; 1Co 4:12; Jas 3:10; 1Pe 3:9 pray for those who mistreat you - Ezekiel 25:15; 36:5; Acts 14:5 Luke 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 6:27-28 The Commands of Kingdom Love - John MacArthur Luke 6:27-35 Radical Love - Steven Cole Luke 6:17-49 Jesus' Teaching - Darrell Bock Related Passages: Luke 23:34+ But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. Acts 7:60+ Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 1 Corinthians 4:12+ and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; James 3:10+ from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 1 Peter 3:9+ not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. DISCIPLES' RESPONSE TO THOSE WHO CURSE AND MISTREAT Bless (eulogeo) those who curse (kataraomai - present tense - continually) you - Bless is not the same word makarios used 4x in Lk 6:20-22 but is the verb eulogeo which means to speak well of. Relying on your own power try speaking well of someone who has just cursed you! Can you imagine the reaction of the hearers when Jesus spoke these words which are the antithesis of the "world's way" of interacting? Paul gave a similar exhortation (with 3 staccato-like commands!) to those who had received God's great mercy and had presented themselves to Him as living sacrifices (Ro 12:1+), including the sacrifice of their right of retaliation! Bless (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) those who persecute you (present imperative). Bless and do not curse (present imperative with a negative). (Ro 12:14+) For fallen men to curse is NATURAL, but for fallen men to bless is SUPERNATURAL! Bless is present imperative which calls for this to be our habitual practice, which is only possible as we continually rely on the supernatural enablement of the Holy Spirit. Blessing cursers is not our natural response! See discussion of the Need for the Holy Spirit to obey NT commands such as blessing those who curse us. For fallen men to curse is NATURAL, but for fallen men to bless is SUPERNATURAL! You must be born again in order to bless in those circumstances and situations in which you formerly would curse. IVP Background Commentary - Although Jesus (Lk 23:34) and his followers (Acts 7:60+) practiced this rule of blessing and praying for enemies, prayers for vindication by vengeance were common in the Old Testament (2 Chron 24:22; Ps 137:7–9; Jer 15:15; cf. Rev 6:10) and in ancient execration (magical curse) texts. (See The IVP Bible Background Commentary) Prayerful thoughts are a great antidote for sinful thoughts! Pray (proseuchomai) for those who mistreat (epereazo - present tense - continually) you - Jesus is commanding we are to pray for them and in the context of "bless" this would be a prayer for God to bless the person, to make them happy and/or cause them to prosper. In other words we are not to pray imprecations (calling down curses). (See What is imprecatory prayer?) We can become bitter toward those who continually mistreat us, but it is difficult to be bitter toward someone for whom you are daily praying! God has so constructed our minds that we can have but one thought at a time. Prayerful thoughts are a great antidote for sinful thoughts! Once again Jesus uses the present imperative which calls for disciples to continually respond with prayer for persecutors! The only way that this can be accomplished is not by relying on our natural power but by wholly relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. In short the only ones who can keep any of Jesus' commands in Lk 6:27-31 are genuine believers who alone possess the indwelling Holy Spirit. Bless (2127)(eulogeo from eu = good + lógos = word; see cognates eulogetos and eulogia) means speak good or well. When eulogeo is used by men toward men it means to speak well of with praise and thanksgiving (English "Eulogy" = an address in praise for one deceased ). To say good or positive things. Eulogeo can be from men to God, from men to men, and from God to men. When God blesses men He grants them favor and confers happiness upon them. Luke used eulogeo first of Elizabeth's blessing on Mary when she realized Mary was pregnant with the Messiah (Lk 1:42). Zacharias first words after being "tongue-tied" about 9 months was to use his tongue to praise or bless God (Lk 1:64). When Simeon held the Messiah in his arms he blessed God (Lk 2:28) and then he blessed Jesus' parents (Lk 2:34). Eulogeo in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:42; Lk. 1:64; Lk. 2:28; Lk. 2:34; Lk. 6:28; Lk. 9:16; Lk. 13:35; Lk. 19:38; Lk. 24:30; Lk. 24:50; Lk. 24:51; Lk. 24:53; Jn. 12:13; Acts 3:26; Curse (2672) kataraomai from katara = a curse from kata = down + ara = a prayer, a curse) literally is to curse down and so to call a curse down upon someone. The idea is to imprecate (= to invoke) evil on someone saying that a supernatural power will cause harm to someone or something. To pray or wish evil or ruin toward someone or some thing. To call down curses upon someone. To doom or give judgment against. To utter a prayer or invocation for harm or injury to come upon one. To utter a wish of evil against one; to imprecate evil upon; to call for mischief or injury to fall upon; to execrate. A solemn appeal to a supernatural power to inflict harm on someone or something. In the passive voice the idea is to be doomed or accursed (Mt 25:41 = the forever fate of all Christ rejecters!). The antithesis of eulogeo! Kataraomai - 5v - Matt. 25:41; Mk. 11:21; Lk. 6:28; Rom. 12:14; Jas. 3:9 Pray (4336)(proseuchomai from pros = toward, facing, before [emphasizing the direct approach of the one who prays in seeking God’s face] + euchomai = originally to speak out, utter aloud, express a wish, then to pray or to vow. Greek technical term for invoking a deity) in the NT is always used of prayer addressed to God (to Him as the object of faith and the One who will answer one’s prayer) and means to speak consciously (with or without vocalization) to Him, with a definite aim (See study of noun proseuche).Proseuchomai encompasses all the aspects of prayer -- submission, confession, petition, supplication (may concern one's own need), intercession (concerned with the needs of others), praise, and thanksgiving. Proseuchomai in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:10; Lk. 3:21; Lk. 5:16; Lk. 6:12; Lk. 6:28; Lk. 9:18; Lk. 9:28; Lk. 9:29; Lk. 11:1; Lk. 11:2; Lk. 18:1; Lk. 18:10; Lk. 18:11; Lk. 20:47; Lk. 22:40; Lk. 22:41; Lk. 22:44; Lk. 22:46; Acts 1:24; Acts 6:6; Acts 8:15; Acts 9:11; Acts 9:40; Acts 10:9; Acts 10:30; Acts 11:5; Acts 12:12; Acts 13:3; Acts 14:23; Acts 16:25; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5; Acts 22:17; Acts 28:8 Mistreat (revile, abuse, hurt) (1908) (epereazo from epi = against, upon + epéreia = threat, insult) means to threaten, spitefully abuse, insult, treat abusively, treat spitefully, accuse falsely (as in 1 Peter 3:16+), treat in a despicable manner. Moulton-Milligan cites an example from the papyri where the parents of a wasteful youth “are taking precautions lest he should deal despitefully with us.” This is the genre of hurt that involves emotional, and mental anguish or pain. The only way to fight offer the natural reaction to fight back is by submitting to the supernatural action of the Spirit. In fact you can know whether the Spirit is in control of your heart by how you respond when you are mistreated. If you pray for them, that is the supernatural response Jesus called for from His disciples, for this is exactly what He did when they crucified Him (Lk 23:33+) saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Lk 23:34). Luke records a similar response of Stephen the first martyred disciple who "falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" And having said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:60+) Sadly, we may (probably will) experience mistreatment not just by unbelievers but by those in the church who claim to be Christians. If genuine believers behave this way something is very wrong. At the very least they are acting fleshy, but at the worst they are not true believers, but chaff who will reap the fruit of their wicked deeds (Ps 1:4-6+, cf "tares" in Mt 13:30+). ILLUSTRATION - Praying for those who hurt you was amply illustrated in the life of Desmond Doss from Lynchburg, Va. When Desmond was 24, he experienced his first day of boot camp in the Army during WW II. That was quite a day for him. Moments after arriving at his barracks he did what he normally does at the end of a long day. With his Bible in hand, he got on his knees beside his bed and began to pray. The other recruits, upon seeing him on his knees, began to mock and shout obscenities at him. Several laughed as they threw their heavy boots across the room at him. The young men were angry with Desmond Doss because he refused to carry a gun, and because he told his superiors that because of his religious beliefs he would not take a human life, even to save his own. The young soldiers thought Desmond Doss was a coward. They wanted him out of their barracks. Day after day the insults and mocking continued, despite several of the older soldiers telling the younger ones to leave Doss alone. Yet, Desmond did not fight back. He did not respond. Doss was finally shipped to a camp for "conscientious objectors," but this upset him, and he told his superiors that he should not be there because he considered himself a "conscientious cooperator." Desmond convinced the military to make him a medic so that he could serve his country without betraying his religious convictions. Desmond Doss soon discovered the great challenges and heartbreaks which medics face on the battlefield. The date: May 5, 1945. The place: Okinawa, Japan. The scene: A 400-foot steep cliff known as Hacksaw ridge. A battle raged which was so intense that the odds of survival were 1 in 10. Army medic, Desmond Doss, knew that his short life could end at any moment in that violent place. Doss and the men with him were being overwhelmed by enemy fire and they were trapped at the cliff's edge of Hacksaw ridge. Many of the young soldiers were wounded, many were terrified, but all were determined to survive. Keeping a cool head amidst this awful situation was medic, Desmond Doss. Amidst the storm of battle, he got an idea. He rigged a rope to the cliff, attached a stretcher to it, and with soldiers dying all around him, and under constant enemy fire for several hours, he carefully lowered soldiers to safety down this steep cliff. During these trying hours, as Doss treated the wounded, and one by one lowered the men down the cliff, he prayed over and over to the Lord: "Lord, help me get one more. Just one more... one more" In all, during that battle, 75 men lived to see another day due to the courage and determination of Desmond Doss and God's care and protection. One of the last men to go down the rope was a man with tears in his eyes, not due to his wounds, but because of the man risking his life to lower him to safety. This wounded man had once thrown his boot at and cursed Desmond Doss. In fact, several of the young men Doss saved that day had once mocked and turned their backs on him. It's a good thing Doss was not bitter toward them, isn't it? As this tearful man on the stretcher was lowered down the cliff on the rope anchored by Private Doss, all he could see in his mind was the image of Doss, humbly on his knees in the barracks, praying to his God. This act of bravery was not the only one Private Doss displayed during his time of service. In fact, he served in the Army, with such distinction that he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman, who during the ceremony said: "I would rather have that medal than be President." The name, Desmond Doss, became a symbol throughout the 77th infantry Division for outstanding gallantry above and beyond the call of duty. The prayers of Desmond enabled him to remain patient and compassionate toward those who insulted and reviled him. They also enabled him to face severe trials and danger with great courage. He was a man that was submitted to the will of God in his life and is a good example for us of a man who prayed for those who despitefully used him. (Treasures from the Scriptures) Cornered —Luke 6:28 One Sunday morning, D. L. Moody entered a house in Chicago to escort some children to Sunday school. During his visit, three men backed him into a corner and threatened him. “Look here,” Moody said. “Give a fellow a chance to say his prayers, won’t you?” The men actually allowed him to call out to God, and Moody prayed for them so earnestly that they left the room. Had I been in Moody’s situation, I might have called for help or looked for the back door. I’m not sure I would have acted on Jesus’ command to His followers: “Pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28 NIV). Praying for the people who treat us with contempt is one way to “do good to those who hate [us]” (v.27). Jesus explained that Christians get no credit for swapping acts of kindness with other “nice” people. He said, “Even sinners do the same” (v.33). However, blessing our persecutors (Rom. 12:14) sets us apart from them and aligns us with the Most High, because God is kind even to wicked people (Luke 6:35). Today, if you feel “cornered” by someone, seek safety if the situation calls for it, and follow Jesus’ teaching: Pray for that person (Luke 23:34). Prayer is your best defense. We want to know Your heart, Lord, and have Your wisdom to know how to handle opposition. Give us patience to show kindness. Guide us, we pray. Returning good for good is human; returning good for evil is divine. Alternatives To Revenge Read: Deuteronomy 19:16-21 Matthew 5:38-45 You shall not take vengeance . . . , but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. —Leviticus 19:18 One Sunday while preaching, a pastor was accosted and punched by a man. He continued preaching, and the man was arrested. The pastor prayed for him and even visited him in jail a few days later. What an example of the way to respond to insult and injury! While there is a place for self-defense, personal revenge was forbidden in the Old Testament: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18; see also Deut. 32:35). It was also forbidden by Jesus and the apostles (Matt. 5:38-45; Rom. 12:17; 1 Peter 3:9). The Old Testament law exacted like for like (Ex. 21:23-25; Deut. 19:21), which ensured that judicial punishment was not unjust or malicious. But there was a larger principle looming when it came to personal revenge: Justice must be done, but it must be left in the hands of God or the authorities ordained by God. Instead of returning injury and insult, may we live by Christ-honoring and Spirit-empowered alternatives: Live at peace with everyone (Rom. 12:18), submit to a spiritual mediator (1 Cor. 6:1-6), and leave it in the hands of authorities and, most of all, in God’s hands. Leave final justice in the hands of a just God. Luke 6:29 "Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. KJV And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. BGT τύπτοντί σε ἐπὶ τὴν σιαγόνα πάρεχε καὶ τὴν ἄλλην, καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἴροντός σου τὸ ἱμάτιον καὶ τὸν χιτῶνα μὴ κωλύσῃς. NET To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. CSB If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don't hold back your shirt either. ERV To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloke withhold not thy coat also. ESV To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. NIV If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. NLT If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. NRS If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. YLT and to him smiting thee upon the cheek, give also the other, and from him taking away from thee the mantle, also the coat thou mayest not keep back. GWN If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well. If someone takes your coat, don't stop him from taking your shirt. hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also Lk 22:64; 2 Chronicles 18:23; Isaiah 50:6; Lamentations 3:30; Micah 5:1; Matthew 26:67; John 18:22; Acts 23:2-3; 1 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 11:20 whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either 2 Samuel 19:30; Mt 5:40,41; 1 Corinthians 6:7; Hebrews 10:34 Luke 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 6:29-30 The Actions of Kingdom Love - John MacArthur Luke 6:27-35 Radical Love - Steven Cole Luke 6:17-49 Jesus' Teaching - Darrell Bock Parallel Passage - Mt 5:39+ - But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. John 18:22-23 When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” Acts 23:2-3+ The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?” DISCIPLES' RESPONSE WHEN STRUCK OR SUED Whoever hits (tupto/typto - present tense) you on the cheek, offer (parecho) him the other also - One could sum this up - "Don't pay back!" So after instructing disciples on how to deal with people who hate, harp, heckle and hurt you, Jesus now gives instructions on how to deal with those who hit you! To not pay back "tit for tat" (English slogan for equivalent retaliation), this clearly "unnatural" response can only be accomplished by a disciple who is wholly dependent on the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This exhortation should not be misinterpreted to mean that we should never defend ourselves. That is not what Jesus is saying! Offer is present imperative emphasizing the necessity for the subject our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey.

Lucas 6

Johnson - The so-called “Golden Rule” is not unique to Christianity! But there is something very unique about the Golden Rule as Jesus stated it, and the way Jesus put it makes His version of it above all others. For example, this Golden Rule is found in Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism. The difference between Jesus' version of the Golden Rule and that of other religions is that all others is stated in the negative instead of the positive, as Jesus stated it. Confucius, for example, is credited as having said, “Do not to others what you would not wish done to yourself.” The Old Testament Apocrypha states, “Do not do to anyone what you yourself would hate.” Rabbi Hillel said, “What is hateful to you, do not do to anyone else.” The difference between the negative and the positive form might seem on the surface to be insignificant, but there is a major difference: The negative form is the Appeal of Law for Control! The positive form is the Appeal of Love for Growth! Jesus' teaching on the “Golden Rule” goes far beyond any other religion's teaching on the same subject because instead of trying to control negative behavior, it encourages behavior motivated by love. Jesus spoke of doing to others proactively – that is, He said we should seek ways to do good toward others. That's a whole new way of looking at an ancient truth. And the rule or principle as Jesus gave it will apply to everything! The Jewish scholars of Alexandria who translated the Septuagint said “As you wish that no evil befall you but to be a partaker of all good things, so you should act on the same principle toward your subjects and offenders.” Don’t do them evil so they don’t do you evil. Don’t hurt them so they don’t hurt you, that’s the idea. The Greek philosopher Epictetus said, “What you avoid suffering yourself, do not inflict on others.” The Stoics said, “What you do not want to be done to you, do not do to anyone else.” Don’t do to someone what you don’t want them to do to you because there’s a universal principle in life. Whatever you do to people, they will do back. Well that’s a nice thought. I’m not against that. But it sure falls short of God’s standard. Those expressions, however, go as far as sinful man can go because sinful man is consumed with self-protection, self-love. I don’t want to harm somebody because he might harm me. That’s not a Golden Rule, that’s utilitarian, that’s self-protective. Christian love is the positive rule that says … you may be harming me, but I’m not going to give you back what you’re giving me, I’m going to love you in the way that I would like you to love me. This is something unique. You see, selfishness acts to prevent its own harm, selfishness acts to insure its own welfare. But that’s not Kingdom love. The world’s negative version of this principle is the supreme human ethic. And if you hurt me, I will hurt you. And that’s the noble virtue of vengeance. But what our Lord is saying is when they mistreat you, when they hate you, when they abuse you, when they hit you, when they take what you have, don’t give them back what they gave you, give them what you wish they’d give you. (