![]() ![]() It was common knowledge that the tax collectors cheated the people they collected from by collecting more than was required and keeping the extra for themselves. ![]() ![]() They were public officials of Jewish nationality who worked for the Roman government and were generally despised by the people. Jesus goes on to say that if we only love those who love us, how are we any different than tax collectors? Tax collectors were on the low rung of the ladder in Jesus' day. For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. This makes us different above all else, which is why Christians are supposed to be known as peaceful, non-retaliatory people. And why are we to do these things? So that we may show we are children of God. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:44-45, NIV).Īs you can see, the NIV deletes how we are to love our enemies - by blessing them, doing good to them and praying for them. Here is what the NIV says: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. Jesus goes on to say: "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:44-45, NKJV).Īnd it is here that we find the NIV has deleted crucial verses that show us the steps to loving our neighbour. The Law clarified that no one was to mistreat anyone, even the lowest citizens. The Greek word for neighbour was plēsion and meant the same thing. The first question we need to ask is - who is our neighbour? According to the Hebrew definition of the word used here, which is rēaʿ, our neighbour would be everyone we meet, from friends and intimate companions to fellow citizens. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |