Luke 6:32

KJV

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G2532} if {G1487} ye love {G25} them which love {G25} you {G5209}, what {G4169} thank {G5485} have {G2076} ye {G5213}? for {G1063} sinners {G268} also {G2532} love {G25} those that love {G25} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What credit is it to you if you love only those who love you? Why, even sinners love those who love them.

Berean Standard Bible

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.

American Standard Version

And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 6:32 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' "Sermon on the Plain," where He challenges His disciples to transcend conventional human love. It serves as a rhetorical question designed to expose the inadequacy of merely reciprocal affection, asserting that even those outside of God's covenant—referred to as "sinners"—are capable of loving only those who love them. This verse sets a foundational expectation for followers of Christ: their love must be qualitatively different, driven by divine principles rather than self-interest or mere reciprocity, thereby demonstrating a transformed heart and a higher standard of righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 6:32 is an integral part of Jesus' extended discourse known as [the Sermon on the Plain](/luke/6-17-49 "Luke 6:17-49 - Jesus' Sermon on the Plain"). It immediately follows a series of radical commands concerning the ethics of the Kingdom, including the challenging directives to [love your enemies](/luke/6-27 "Luke 6:27 - Love Your Enemies"), [do good to those who hate you](/luke/6-27 "Luke 6:27 - Do Good to Those Who Hate You"), and [bless those who curse you](/luke/6-28 "Luke 6:28 - Bless Those Who Curse You"). This specific verse functions as an elaboration on what "love your enemies" *doesn't* entail, by contrasting it sharply with common human behavior. It sets the stage for the subsequent call to [be merciful, just as your Father is merciful](/luke/6-36 "Luke 6:36 - Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful"), emphasizing the divine standard of love and grace.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, as in many cultures, reciprocity was a fundamental social principle. Love, kindness, and generosity were often extended with an implicit expectation of return, whether in kind, reputation, or social standing. The concept of loving one's neighbor, as found in [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"), was often understood primarily within the community of Israel. Jesus' teaching here radically subverts this prevailing norm, challenging the tit-for-tat mentality that governed much of human interaction. The "sinners" mentioned would have been understood by Jesus' audience as those who did not adhere strictly to the Mosaic Law or who were perceived as morally corrupt; yet, even they practiced reciprocal love, highlighting the commonality of this human tendency.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several key themes in Luke's Gospel and Jesus' broader teaching. First, it underscores the **radical nature of Kingdom ethics**, which demands a love that transcends human limitations and expectations, moving beyond mere social convention. Second, it highlights the **distinction between worldly righteousness and divine righteousness**, showing that merely conforming to human standards of reciprocity falls far short of God's perfect love, as also emphasized in [Matthew 5:48](/matthew/5-48 "Matthew 5:48 - Be Perfect as Your Heavenly Father"). Third, it emphasizes **God's impartial love and mercy**, which extends even to the undeserving, serving as the ultimate model for His followers, a theme further developed in [Luke 6:35-36](/luke/6-35-36 "Luke 6:35-36 - Love Your Enemies and Be Merciful"). Finally, it touches on the theme of **true discipleship**, where genuine transformation is evidenced by actions that reflect God's character, not merely human convention or self-interest.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **love (Greek, _agapáō'_):** G25. This verb signifies a benevolent, volitional, and self-sacrificial love. Unlike _philia_ (friendship love) or _eros_ (romantic love), _agapáō_ is not primarily based on affection or emotion but on a deliberate choice to seek the highest good of the other, regardless of their worthiness or whether they reciprocate. It is the characteristic love of God, demonstrated in His actions towards humanity.
* **thank (Greek, _cháris'_):** G5485. This word, often translated as "grace," "favor," or "gratitude," in this context refers to the spiritual credit, merit, or divine commendation one receives. The rhetorical question "what thank have ye?" implies that there is no special spiritual reward or divine favor for merely engaging in a love that is self-serving or commonly practiced by all, including those outside of God's covenant.
* **sinners (Greek, _hamartōlós'_):** G268. Derived from a verb meaning "to miss the mark," this term refers to those who are sinful, estranged from God's covenant, or who do not adhere to His moral law. In Jesus' time, this often included those considered morally corrupt or outside the religious establishment, such as tax collectors or prostitutes. Jesus uses their behavior as a baseline to demonstrate that even the unrighteous are capable of reciprocal love, underscoring the need for His followers to exhibit a higher standard.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For if ye love them which love you":** This clause presents a common, natural human behavior: the inclination to extend affection and kindness only to those who reciprocate it. It describes a conditional and reciprocal form of love, which, while not inherently wrong, falls short of the divine standard Jesus is about to reveal.
* **"what thank have ye?":** This is a rhetorical question that expects a negative answer. It implies that there is no special merit, spiritual credit, or divine commendation for engaging in such reciprocal love. It suggests that actions motivated by self-interest or the expectation of return do not earn favor in God's sight.
* **"for sinners also love those that love them.":** This clause provides the compelling reason for the rhetorical question. Jesus points out that even "sinners"—those considered morally deficient or outside God's covenant—are capable of this basic, reciprocal love. By establishing this low baseline, Jesus challenges His followers to demonstrate a qualitatively different, more profound love that distinguishes them as children of God.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 6:32 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The primary device is a **Rhetorical Question** ("what thank have ye?"), which is not intended to elicit information but to make a forceful point: there is no spiritual merit in merely loving those who love you. This question is immediately followed by a powerful **Juxtaposition** or **Contrast**, as Jesus compares the behavior of His followers with that of "sinners." By showing that even "sinners" engage in reciprocal love, Jesus highlights the inadequacy of such a standard for those who claim to follow God. This also functions as an **A Fortiori Argument** (from the lesser to the greater), implying that if even the unrighteous do this, how much more should those who are called to a higher righteousness demonstrate a love that transcends mere human reciprocity. The verse's concise structure and direct challenge make it a memorable and impactful teaching.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 6:32 is foundational to understanding the ethics of the Kingdom of God, which radically redefines human relationships based on divine love. It challenges the natural human inclination towards self-interest and reciprocity, asserting that true righteousness is measured not by what is convenient or common, but by actions that reflect God's own character—a character marked by unconditional love, mercy, and grace. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent command to [be merciful, just as your Father is merciful](/luke/6-36 "Luke 6:36 - Be Merciful as Your Father is Merciful"), establishing a direct link between human behavior and divine attributes. The "thank" or "reward" Jesus speaks of is not earthly recognition but divine commendation, emphasizing that God values actions motivated by pure, selfless love, not those driven by the expectation of return.

* [Matthew 5:46-47](/matthew/5-46-47 "Matthew 5:46-47 - Love Your Enemies")
* [Luke 6:35](/luke/6-35 "Luke 6:35 - Lending Without Expecting Repayment")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God Is Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 6:32 serves as a profound mirror, inviting believers to honestly examine the motivations behind their acts of love and kindness. It challenges the comfortable assumption that loving those who are easy to love, or those who reciprocate our affection, is sufficient for Christian discipleship. Instead, Jesus compels us to transcend this basic human tendency, urging us to cultivate a love that is selfless, proactive, and extended even to those who offer nothing in return, or worse, those who are hostile. This radical love is not merely an ethical ideal but a spiritual imperative, demonstrating the transformative power of God's Spirit within us and distinguishing us as true followers of Christ. It calls us to embody the very character of God, who loves indiscriminately and gives generously without expectation of return, thereby reflecting His image in a world desperately in need of genuine, unconditional love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I primarily practice reciprocal love, expecting something in return for my kindness or generosity?**
* **How does Jesus' standard of love challenge my natural inclinations and comfort zones, particularly towards those I find difficult to love?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to extend selfless love to someone who cannot, or will not, reciprocate my affection or kindness?**

### FAQ

**What does Jesus mean by "what thank have ye?"**

Answer: This is a rhetorical question that implies "what credit," "what merit," or "what spiritual reward do you gain?" Jesus is highlighting that there is no special commendation or divine favor for merely doing what comes naturally, or what even "sinners" do. It's about the quality and motivation of the love, not just the act itself. The Greek word `cháris` (G5485) here can be translated as "grace" or "favor," suggesting that such reciprocal love earns no special grace or commendation from God.

**Who are the "sinners" Jesus refers to in this verse?**

Answer: In the context of first-century Jewish society, "sinners" (`hamartōlós`, G268) typically referred to those who were perceived as not adhering to the Mosaic Law or traditional Jewish customs, or those whose professions (like tax collectors or prostitutes) were considered morally compromising. Jesus uses them as a baseline to illustrate that even people generally regarded as unrighteous are capable of basic, reciprocal love. His point is that His followers must exceed this common human standard, as He teaches throughout [the Sermon on the Plain](/luke/6 "Luke 6 - The Sermon on the Plain").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 6:32, though a challenging ethical command, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He did not merely teach about a radical, non-reciprocal love; He perfectly lived it out. While "sinners love those who love them," Christ loved us [while we were still sinners](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love") and His enemies. His entire ministry, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, is the supreme demonstration of *agape* love—a love that sought no personal gain, expected no return, and was extended to the [undeserving](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"). The "thank" or "reward" that believers receive for loving in this Christ-like manner is not an earthly one, but participation in the divine nature and the commendation of God, as seen in the promise of being "[children of the Most High](/luke/6-35 "Luke 6:35 - Children of the Most High")". Through His Holy Spirit, Christ empowers believers to manifest this supernatural love, transforming our natural inclination towards reciprocity into a reflection of His own boundless grace, making us living testimonies to the Kingdom of God ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 5:46

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

Matthew 5:47

And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?

1 Peter 2:19

For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

1 Peter 2:20

For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God.