Luke 6:32

Context of Luke 6:32

Luke 6:32 is part of Jesus' profound Sermon on the Plain, a collection of teachings that parallel portions of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel. This specific verse immediately follows Jesus' challenging commands to love your enemies and to do good to those who hate you. Here, Jesus further clarifies the radical nature of the love He expects from His followers, contrasting it sharply with the common, self-serving love found in the world.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Nature of True Love: This verse distinguishes between a conditional, reciprocal love and the higher standard of divine love. Jesus challenges His disciples to move beyond merely loving those who are easy to love or those who love them in return.
• Exceeding Worldly Standards: Jesus points out that even "sinners" (those not following God's ways) are capable of loving those who love them. This sets a baseline and implies that followers of Christ must exhibit a love that surpasses this common human tendency. It's a call to reflect God's perfect character.
• No Merit in Reciprocity: The rhetorical question, "what thank have ye?", highlights that there is no special merit, credit, or spiritual reward in merely loving those who reciprocate your affection. Such actions are expected and natural, not indicative of transformed hearts.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "love" used here is agape (ἀγάπη). This is not a love based on affection, attraction, or sentimentality (like philia for friendship or eros for romantic love). Instead, agape signifies a selfless, unconditional, benevolent, and intentional love that seeks the highest good of the other, regardless of their actions or whether they deserve it. It is a love of choice and commitment, reflecting God's own character.

The phrase "what thank have ye?" (KJV) can also be translated as "what credit is that to you?" or "what reward do you have?". It emphasizes the lack of spiritual commendation for actions that are merely self-serving or commonly practiced by everyone, including those without divine guidance.

Practical Application

Luke 6:32 compels believers to examine the motivation behind their acts of love. It's easy to be kind to those who are kind to us, or to help those who are likely to help us back. However, Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of radical, unconditional love. This means:

• Loving the Unlovable: Extending kindness, forgiveness, and genuine concern even to those who are difficult, hostile, or who have wronged us.
• Seeking No Return: Practicing generosity and compassion without expectation of reciprocation, acknowledgment, or reward from others. This mirrors God's own love, who sends rain on the just and the unjust.
• Distinguishing Ourselves: Demonstrating a quality of love that sets Christians apart from the world, making evident the transforming power of God's Spirit within them. This unconditional love becomes a powerful witness.