Luke 6:35

Luke 6:35
NL303

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35 Instead,A loveB your enemies,C

Notes on verse 35a

A “instead” = plen. From pleion (many, more, great, having a greater value, more excellent); from polus (much, many, abundant). This is yet, nevertheless.
B “love” = agapao. Perhaps from agan (much). This is love, longing for, taking pleasure in. It is divine love or human love that echoes divine love.
C “enemies” = echthros. From echthos (hatred). This is an openly hostile person so an enemy, a foe, or a hated person. This speaks of irreconcilable hostility. It can also mean adversary and/or refer to Satan.

do good,D and lend,E expecting nothing in return.F 

Notes on verse 35b

D “do good” = agathopoieo. 10x in NT. From agathopoios (a do-gooder or virtuous person; someone who does intrinsically good things); {from agathos (good, a benefit, or a good thing; good by its very nature, inherently good) + poieo (to make, do, construct, cause)}. This is to do good or to do right.
E “lend” = danizo. 4x in NT. From danos (loan, gift) OR daneion (loan, debt); {probably related to didomi (to give, offer, place, bestow, deliver; give in a literal or figurative sense)}. This is to lend or borrow – it implies interest.
F “expecting…in return” = apelpizo. 1x in NT. From apo (from, away from) + elpizo (to expect, trust, hope for, or to wait in an active way); {from elpis (expectation, hope, trust, confidence, faith; expectation whether abstract or concrete); from elpo (to anticipate, welcome, expect; usually to anticipate positively); from elpomai (to anticipate, expect)}. This is to expect to receive back.

Your rewardG will beH great,I and you will be childrenJ of the Most High,K

Notes on verse 35c

G “reward” = misthos. This is wages, pay, or salary. It can also be reward, recompense, or punishment. It is pay for services rendered in a literal or figurative way, either good or bad.
H “be” = eimi. This is to be, exist.
I “great” = polus. Related to “instead” in v35. See note A above.
J “children” = huios. This is son, descendant – a son whether natural born or adopted. It can be used figuratively for other forms of kinship.
K “Most High” = Hupistos. 13x in NT. From hupsos (height, high position, heaven, dignity, eminence; elevation, altitude; to be exalted); from hupsi (on high, aloft); from huper (over, above, beyond) This is highest, heights, heaven. It can also refer to God as Most High or the Supreme One.

for he himself is kindL to the ungratefulM and the wicked.N

Notes on verse 35d

L “kind” = chrestos. 7x in NT. From chraomai (to use, make use of, give what is needed, act in a specific way, request). This is useful, good, well-fitted, benevolent, kind, gracious. It was also a name given to slaves in the ancient world.
M “ungrateful” = acharistos. 2x in NT. From a (not, without) + charizomai (to show favor, kindness, or grace, to pardon, forgive); {from charis (grace, kindness, favor, gratitude, thanks; being inclined to or favorable towards – leaning towards someone to share some good or benefit; literal, figurative, or spiritual; grace as abstract concept, manner, or action); from chairo (to rejoice, be glad; used to say hello; properly, delighting in the grace of God or experiencing God’s favor); from char– (to extend favor, lean towards, be inclined to be favorable towards)}. This is without grace, ungrateful, unpleasing.
N “wicked” = poneros. From poneo (to toil); related to ponos (pain, trouble, labor, distress, suffering; toil, which implies anguish); from the base of penes (a laborer, poor person, starving or indigent person; someone who works for their living); from pernomai (working for a living; laborer, poor person; to work for daily bread); from peno (to toil to survive day by day). This is bad, evil, wicked, malicious, grievous, or toilsome. Properly, it is something that bears pain – it emphasizes the miseries and pains that come with evil. By contrast, the Greek kakos refers to evil as part of someone’s core character. Also contrasting the Greek sapros, which deals with falling away from a previously embodied virtue. This word can mean ill, diseased, morally culpable, derelict, vicious, malicious, or guilt. It can also refer to the devil or sinners.


Image credit: “Love Your Enemy” by cerulean5000, 2012.

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