Luke 6:35 - But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

Generated Verse: Luke 6:35

What does "Luke 6:35" mean?


This verse from Luke 6:35 packs a powerful and challenging message about radical love and generosity. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"But love your enemies...": This is the core of the verse and arguably the most difficult part. It goes beyond tolerating or ignoring enemies; it calls for actively loving them. This doesn't necessarily mean feeling warm emotions, but rather acting in their best interest, treating them with respect, and praying for them.

"...and do good...": This expands on the idea of loving enemies by urging proactive acts of kindness and service toward them. This could include helping them in times of need, offering forgiveness, or simply treating them with common decency.

"...and lend, expecting nothing back...": This focuses on generosity. It's about giving freely without anticipating any repayment or reciprocation. It's a selfless act, motivated by compassion and a desire to help others, not by a desire for personal gain.

"...and your reward will be great...": This isn't necessarily about material wealth or earthly recognition. The "reward" is likely spiritual and eternal, reflecting a deeper connection with God and a fulfillment of your true purpose. It could also be interpreted as the inner peace and joy that comes from living a life of selfless love.

"...and you will be children of the Most High...": This is a powerful statement about embodying the character of God. By loving enemies and acting with unselfish generosity, you demonstrate a likeness to God, who is the "Most High." It suggests that such actions align you with God's nature and purpose.

"...for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.": This provides the rationale for the previous statements. God's kindness and grace extend even to those who are undeserving. By emulating God's unconditional love, you reflect his character and fulfill his will.

In summary, Luke 6:35 calls for a radical form of love that transcends natural inclinations. It encourages selfless generosity and treating even enemies with kindness and respect, mirroring God's unconditional love and earning a profound spiritual reward.

Key takeaways:

Radical Love: Extends love and compassion even to those who mistreat you.
Selfless Generosity: Giving freely without expectation of return.
Emulating God: Reflecting God's character of unconditional love.
Spiritual Reward: Experiencing a deeper connection with God and inner peace.
Challenging: This is a difficult ideal, but it's a cornerstone of Christian teaching on love and forgiveness.