What Does the Bible Say About Loving Your Enemies?
What Does the Bible Say About Loving Your Enemies? Jesus commanded believers to love their enemies, pray for persecutors, and overcome evil with good.
Key verse: Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
Jesus commanded believers to love their enemies, pray for persecutors, and overcome evil with good.
Jesus commanded believers to love their enemies, pray for persecutors, and overcome evil with good.
"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." — Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
One of Jesus' most radical teachings is found in Matthew 5:44: 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you.' This command distinguishes Christian ethics from natural human responses. Paul echoes this in Romans 12:20, saying to feed your hungry enemy and give him drink. Loving enemies does not mean approving of evil but responding with grace, entrusting justice to God, and breaking cycles of hatred.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Loving Your Enemies?
What the Bible teaches about loving enemies, forgiving those who hurt you, and overcoming evil with good.
Key Scripture References
"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."
"Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
The Bible teaches that God freely forgives those who repent and that believers must forgive others as they have been forgiven — not seven times, but seventy times seven.
What Is the Golden Rule?
The Golden Rule is Jesus' command: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' — a summary of how God wants us to treat each other.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
What Does the Bible Say About Money?
The Bible doesn't condemn money itself but warns against the love of money and teaches generosity, contentment, and wise stewardship.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
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Bible Verses About Loving Your Enemies
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Matthew 5:44 Commentary
In-depth study • Loving Enemies
Loving Your Enemies
What the Bible teaches about loving enemies, forgiving those who hurt you, and o
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The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Loving Your Enemies?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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