What Does 'Love Your Enemies' Mean — In Biblical Context

The Biblical Context

Jesus' command is radical: 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust' (Matthew 5:44-45). He continued, 'For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?' (5:46). This love (agape) is not emotional affection — it is a deliberate choice to act for another's good regardless of their treatment of you. Jesus practiced this perfectly: 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34). Stephen echoed this at his stoning: 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge' (Acts 7:60). Paul instructed, 'If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink' (Romans 12:20). This doesn't mean ignoring injustice or accepting abuse — it means refusing to repay evil with evil and trusting God with vengeance (Romans 12:19). Loving enemies breaks cycles of hatred and reflects a power that is supernatural — only possible through the Holy Spirit.

Where It Sits in Scripture

Supporting Passages