Luke 6:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

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

NASB: If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

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

NLT: If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them!

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

NKJV: “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

In Luke 6:27–36, Jesus explains how His followers should treat those who won't or can't express love and justice toward others. Verses 27–31 focus on how believers should act: love and pray for those who wish us harm, don't let offenses or assault stop our good works, and actively work for the benefit of our enemies. Verses 32–36 explain why we act this way, starting with the "benefit" we will receive. "Benefit" comes from the Greek root word charis which is elsewhere translated using words such as "goodwill" or "favor" or "grace."

If we only love those who love us, we can assume they will reciprocate. It is normal and human to help others knowing they will help us in return. If we love our enemies (Luke 6:27), however, God will benefit us. He will restore whatever harm we come to because of the persecution we receive (Luke 6:20–23), He will call us His children (Luke 6:35), and He will make up for any lack we experience (Luke 6:38). He promises to give us "what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Luke's text differs from Matthew's in that Luke refers to "sinners" and Matthew to tax collectors and Gentiles (Matthew 5:46–47). A "sinner" in this context is an outsider: someone whose life is characterized by cultural sins. Such a person, in Jewish contexts, lives beyond the boundaries of the law of Moses or the oral law. In Jewish society, Gentiles in general were considered "sinners." Luke is a Gentile writing to Gentile Christ-followers who are striving to live obedient lives. He recognizes that Jesus' point is to distinguish His followers from sinners, not specifically to call out tax-collectors—some of whom came to repentance (Luke 5:27–32; 19:1–10)—or Gentiles.

Luke 6:27–36 continues Jesus' teaching to a crowd about how His followers should live. He's explained how those who are burdened in this life due to faithfulness will find relief and those who are satisfied due to their unfaithfulness will find eternal hardship (Luke 6:20–26). Here, He commands His followers to love their enemies, a theme He will expound upon when He speaks about judging others (6:37–42). This is possible if the promises of Luke 6:22–23 are true. After explaining that our actions come from our hearts, Jesus will invite the crowd to base their identity in Him (Luke 6:43–49). Matthew 5:38–48 also speaks of loving one's enemies.

Luke 6 contains two main sections of teaching and calls to discipleship. Luke 6:1–16 continues the pattern of Luke 5. The two ways in which Jesus sets aside tradition—this time by taking authority over the Sabbath—are paired with His call for the Twelve disciples. Luke 6:17–49 records Jesus' teaching on the ''level place,'' or His ''Sermon on the Plain,'' and a call to a crowd for general discipleship. Much of this material has parallels in Matthew 5 through 7, but it's not clear if the two accounts are of the same event. As a travelling teacher, Christ likely gave the same general message multiple times.

Luke 6 completes Jesus' call for disciples and followers that started in Luke 5. Luke 5:1—6:16 consists of three calls for disciples, each paired with two revolutionary teachings about Jesus' authority that increasingly infuriate the religious leaders. Luke 6:17–49 continues the theme with a general call for followers and a description of their responsibilities. In Luke 7:1—8:3, Jesus interacts with the other: Gentiles, women, and even the dead. This is followed by another general call (Luke 8:4–21), a series of miracles (Luke 8:22—9:17), and a final call for the Twelve to follow Him even more deeply (Luke 9:18–50).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.