Matthew Acts

Love your foes - There are two types of love, engaging the identical general feeling, or springing from the identical fountain of good-will to all mankind, but differing so far as to accept of parting in idea. The one is that feeling by which we accept of the perform of another, routinely called the love of complacency; the other, that by which we desire well to the individual of another, though we cannot approve his conduct. This is the love of benevolence, and this love we are to accept in the direction of our enemies. It is impossible to love the perform of a person who curses and reviles us, who injures our individual or house, or who violates all the regulations of God; but, though we may despise his conduct, and suffer keenly when we are affected by it, yet we may still wish well to the individual; we may shame his madness and folly; we may talk caringly of him and to him; we may come back good for bad; we may aid him in the time of test; we may seek to do him good here and to promote his eternal welfare hereafter, Romans 12:17-20. This appears to be what is intended by loving our enemies; and this is a exceptional regulation of Christianity, and the highest possible check of piety, and likely the most difficult of all obligations to be performed.

Bless them that curse you - The phrase "bless" here means to "speak well of" or "speak well to:" - not to curse again or to slander, but to speak of those things which we can commend in an enemy; or, if there is not anything that we can commend, to say not anything about him. The phrase "bless," voiced of God, means to consider with favor or to confer advantages, as when God is said to bless his people. When we talk of our "blessing God," it means to praise Him or give thanks to Him. When we speak of good thing persons, it "unites" the two meanings, and signifies to talk favor, to express gratitude, or to talk well of.

The Jewish educators by close by appreciated only those who were of their own homeland, territory, and belief, who they were pleased to gaze upon as their friends. The Lord Jesus teaches that we should do all the genuine consideration we can to all, especially to their souls. We must plead for them. While numerous will render good for good, we must render good for bad; and this will speak a nobler principle than most men proceed by. Others salute their brethren, and adopt those of their own party, and way, and attitude, but we should not so restrict our respect. It is the duty of Christians to yearn, and aim at, and press in the direction of perfection in grace and holiness. And therein we should study to conform ourselves to the demonstration of our heavenly dad, 1Pe 1:15,16. Surely more is to be ...