Daily Word: Luke 6:27-38 – Love Your Enemies, Give and Forgive | Thursday, Sept 10

Luke 6:27-38 (Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time)

“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

Jesus continues His Sermon on the Plain. He has just pronounced blessings on the poor and woes on the rich. Now He turns to the ethics of the Kingdom—a radical, countercultural way of living that turns the world's values upside down.

This passage is one of the most demanding in all of Scripture. It is not a suggestion or an ideal for the spiritually elite. It is a command for all who call themselves disciples. And it is impossible by human strength alone. It requires a transformation of the heart that only grace can accomplish.

The Command to Love: Agapaō (v. 27)

Jesus says: “Love your enemies.”

The Greek word for “love” is agapaō — not phileō (brotherly affection) or erōs (romantic desire). Agapaō is the love of the will. It is the deliberate choice to seek the good of another, regardless of how we feel. It is the love of the Cross.

To love your enemy does not mean you must feel warm affection for them. It means you must will their good. You must desire their salvation, their healing, their conversion. You must pray for them—not that they may be punished, but that they may be transformed.

This is the love that God has for us. “God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We were enemies of God, and He loved us. He commands us to do the same.

The Golden Rule: Poieō and Thelō (v. 31)

Jesus gives the Golden Rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

The Greek verbs are poieō (to do, to make) and thelō (to will, to wish, to desire). The rule is not passive but active. It is not “Do not do to others what you would not want done to you” (a negative formulation found in other traditions). It is positive and proactive: Do good. Take the initiative. Be the first to love.

This is the essence of the Law and the Prophets. It is the summary of all Christian ethics. And it is impossible to fulfill without grace.

The Radical Demands: Charis and Apelpizō (v. 32-35)

Jesus then gives a series of examples that expose the shallowness of ordinary human love:

• If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?

• If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?

• If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?

The Greek word for “credit” is charis — grace, favor, gratitude, reward. Jesus is saying: Even sinners do these things. If you only love those who love you, you are no different from the world.

Then He adds the radical command: “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back.”

The Greek word for “expecting nothing back” is apelpizō — to despair of, to give up hope of return. It means to lend without any expectation of repayment. It means to give without any guarantee of gratitude. It means to love without any assurance of love in return.

This is the love of God. It is the love that gives and expects nothing. It is the love that is its own reward.

The Measure of Mercy: Metron (v. 37-38)

Jesus concludes with a series of commands:

• “Stop judging and you will not be judged.”

• “Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.”

• “Forgive and you will be forgiven.”

• “Give and gifts will be given to you.”

Then He gives the famous image: “A good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

The Greek word for “measure” is metron — a standard of measurement, a portion, a quantity. The image is of a merchant pouring grain into a container, pressing it down, shaking it to make room for more, and letting it overflow. This is the generosity of God.

The measure we use for others is the measure God will use for us. If we are stingy in mercy, we will receive stingy mercy. If we are generous in forgiveness, we will receive generous forgiveness. The Kingdom operates on the principle of reciprocity—not because God is petty, but because our hearts must be open to receive what He gives.

The Call to Be Like the Father: Hypsistos (v. 35-36)

Jesus says: “You will be children of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

The Greek word for “Most High” is Hypsistos — the exalted one, the supreme God. The Greek word for “kind” is chrēstos — good, benevolent, generous. The Greek word for “merciful” is oiktirmōn — compassionate, full of pity.

To be a child of the Most High is to imitate the Father. He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. He sends rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). He does not withhold His goodness from those who do not deserve it. And He calls us to do the same.

What This Means for Your Thursday

Today, reflect on the radical call to love.

• Who is your enemy? Is there someone who has hurt you, betrayed you, or opposed you? Jesus commands you to love them—not with feelings, but with a choice of the will.

• Are you willing to give without expecting return? Do you lend only to those who can repay? Do you love only those who love you? The Kingdom calls you to a higher standard.

• What measure are you using? Are you generous in mercy, forgiveness, and giving? Or are you stingy, cautious, and calculating? The measure you use will be measured back to you.

A Short Prayer

Lord Jesus, You command me to love my enemies and to give without expecting return. I cannot do this on my own. Fill my heart with Your love—the love of the Cross. Teach me to will the good of those who hurt me. Teach me to forgive as I have been forgiven. Teach me to give as I have received. Let me be merciful, as my Father in heaven is merciful. Amen.

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