What is 'love thy neighbor' about?
BREAKDOWN
The command to 'love thy neighbor' is a cornerstone of both Old Testament Law and New Testament ethics, encapsulating the essence of ethical human conduct rooted in divine instruction. Its primary Old Testament appearance is in Leviticus 19:18, where it states, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh." Here, the context emphasizes community cohesion within Israel, prohibiting personal vendettas and promoting a benevolent regard for one's fellow Israelites. This love is not merely an emotion but an active orientation toward the well-being of others, mirroring the care one has for oneself. Jesus Christ dramatically affirmed and expanded upon this commandment, identifying it as the second greatest commandment, inseparable from the first to love God (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31). When asked, 'Who is my neighbor?', Jesus recounted the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:27-37), illustrating that a 'neighbor' is not limited by ethnicity, religion, or social standing, but is anyone in need, even one's traditional adversary. This radical redefinition moved the command from an ethnocentric obligation to a universal ethical imperative, demanding selfless compassion and practical aid to all humanity. The Apostle Paul further elaborated, stating that love for one's neighbor fulfills the entire Law (Romans 13:9-10, Galatians 5:14), signifying that true adherence to God's will is manifested through benevolent action towards others.
KEY TERMS
Torah
The first five books of the Hebrew Bible, containing the Law given by God to Moses.
Parable of the Good Samaritan
A story told by Jesus to illustrate that a 'neighbor' is anyone in need, regardless of background, and that love requires active compassion.
agape
A Greek word used in the New Testament to describe a selfless, unconditional, and benevolent love, often expressed through action.
Leviticus 19:18
The Old Testament verse that first explicitly commands the Israelites to 'love your neighbor as yourself'.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Leviticus 19:18
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.
Matthew 22:39
A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mark 12:31
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.
Luke 10:27-37
He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ Which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Romans 13:9
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandment there is, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Romans 13:10
Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
Galatians 5:14
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
אָהַב
love
Definitionto love, like, desire
רֵעַ
neighbor
Definitionfriend, companion, fellow, another person
ἀγαπάω
love
Definitionto love, have affection for, esteem, prefer
πλησίον
neighbor
Definitionnear, neighboring; also, as a noun, 'a neighbor'
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The command 'love thy neighbor' emerged from the covenant established at Mount Sinai, foundational to ancient Israel's identity and legal framework (ca. 14th-13th century BCE). In the context of the Torah, Israel was called to be a distinct people, and this command fostered internal community ethics, safeguarding social harmony and justice. During the Second Temple period (ca. 516 BCE - 70 CE), various Jewish sects (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes) debated the precise interpretation of 'neighbor' (Hebrew: רֵעַ, *rea`*). Some understood it narrowly to refer only to fellow Israelites or members of their specific sect, while others, like Hillel, adopted a broader view. Jesus' teaching in the 1st century CE challenged these narrow interpretations, particularly through the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which would have been scandalous to his audience given the deep-seated ethnic and religious animosity between Jews and Samaritans. This expansion by Jesus highlighted a universalistic ethic, transcending the specific communal boundaries of ancient Israel and pointing towards a broader humanitarian responsibility.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
The theological significance of 'love thy neighbor' lies in its reflection of God's own character and its role as the practical manifestation of the Greatest Commandment. God Himself loves all humanity, even those who are rebellious, demonstrating a universal and redemptive love (John 3:16). When believers love their neighbors, they are acting in imitation of God, embodying His righteousness and compassion in the world. This commandment also serves as a summary of the ethical demands of the Law, indicating that all specific injunctions regarding human interaction ultimately stem from and are fulfilled by a spirit of self-giving love. It underscores that authentic faith is not merely intellectual assent or ritualistic observance, but is vitally expressed through actions of charity and justice towards others, demonstrating the unity of love for God and love for humanity.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (Jewish)
On Leviticus 19:18, Rashi explains that 'your neighbor' refers to your fellow Israelite, and the phrase 'as yourself' means to 'choose for him that which is desirable to you.' This highlights a reciprocal principle of justice and fairness within the covenant community, emphasizing that one should consider the welfare of others as one's own.
Augustine of Hippo (Christian)
Augustine famously argued that 'love is the fulfilling of the law.' For him, both commandments—love of God and love of neighbor—are intrinsically linked, with love of neighbor being the visible manifestation and test of one's love for God. He saw the entire Scripture, particularly the ethical teachings, as reducible to these two principles.
John Calvin (Christian)
Calvin emphasized that the love of neighbor is not a passive sentiment but an active, practical benevolence that extends even to our enemies. He believed that the 'as yourself' clause means we should apply the same zeal, diligence, and fairness in promoting our neighbor's advantage as we do our own.
Matthew Henry (Christian)
Henry's commentary on the Parable of the Good Samaritan highlights the boundless nature of 'neighbor' as taught by Jesus. He notes that the Samaritan showed compassion to one who was not of his nation or religion, demonstrating that our obligation to love extends to all who are in distress, regardless of their identity or our relationship to them.
Rambam (Maimonides) (Jewish)
In his Mishneh Torah, Maimonides expounds on the comprehensive nature of 'love your neighbor as yourself,' stating that one should 'speak well of him, be zealous for his property, and have mercy on his poverty, just as he would do for himself.' This highlights the encompassing nature of this love, extending to reputation, property, and practical support.