Luke 6:33

Context

Luke 6:33 is part of Jesus' extensive teaching often referred to as the "Sermon on the Plain" (Luke 6:17-49), which shares significant parallels with Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. In this section, Jesus challenges His disciples to live by a radical ethic of love that transcends conventional human behavior. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has instructed His followers to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, and pray for those who abuse them. This particular verse addresses the common human inclination towards reciprocal good deeds, setting it against a much higher, divine standard.

Key Themes and Messages

• Beyond Reciprocity: The core message is that merely returning good for good, or kindness for kindness, is not a distinguishing characteristic of those who follow God. Such behavior is innate and widely practiced even by those who do not adhere to God's ways, whom Jesus refers to as "sinners."
• The Divine Standard of Love: Jesus calls His followers to emulate God's character, which gives generously and unconditionally, even to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35). The "thank" or merit one receives is minimal when actions are based on an expectation of return.
• True Righteousness: The verse implies that genuine righteousness, as defined by God, surpasses mere societal norms or self-serving reciprocity. It demands an elevated form of love and generosity that anticipates no personal gain or repayment, highlighting a contrast with the behavior described in Matthew 5:46-47.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version translates the Greek word charis (χάρις) as "thank." While charis can mean "grace," "favor," or "gratitude," in this context, it refers to the credit, merit, or special commendation one might expect to receive for their actions. Jesus' rhetorical question, "what thank have ye?" means, "What special credit, reward, or divine favor do you gain?" It underscores that simply reciprocating good deeds, which even "sinners" do, does not earn unique divine commendation because it is driven by human expectation rather than selfless, sacrificial love.

Practical Application

Luke 6:33 profoundly challenges believers to examine the motivations behind their acts of kindness and generosity:

• Examine Motives: This verse prompts us to ask: Are our good deeds performed with an expectation of repayment, recognition, or simply because someone was kind to us first? Or are they genuine expressions of a selfless, God-like love that gives without expecting anything back?
• Exceeding Worldly Standards: Christians are called to go beyond the world's standard of conditional love. This means taking the initiative to do good, even when it seems undeserved or when there is little to no chance of reciprocation, thereby reflecting God's own abundant grace towards humanity.
• Focus on God's Reward: While human "thank" or praise may be fleeting, Jesus promises a "great reward" for those who love unconditionally and lend without expecting repayment, for they will truly be "children of the Highest." This eternal perspective redefines what constitutes true generosity.