46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
46 If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 5:46
Commentary on Matthew 5:43-48
(Read Matthew 5:43-48)
The Jewish teachers by "neighbour" understood only those who were of their own country, nation, and religion, whom they were pleased to look upon as their friends. The Lord Jesus teaches that we must do all the real kindness we can to all, especially to their souls. We must pray for them. While many will render good for good, we must render good for evil; and this will speak a nobler principle than most men act by. Others salute their brethren, and embrace those of their own party, and way, and opinion, but we must not so confine our respect. It is the duty of Christians to desire, and aim at, and press towards perfection in grace and holiness. And therein we must study to conform ourselves to the example of our heavenly Father, 1 Peter 1:15,16. Surely more is to be expected from the followers of Christ than from others; surely more will be found in them than in others. Let us beg of God to enable us to prove ourselves his children.