Paragraph 6:27–31
In this paragraph, Jesus taught his disciples that they should love people who do not treat them well. Jesus emphasized this point by restating the command in four different ways. Then Jesus gave four examples of showing love to enemies and a general statement of how to treat others.
Some English versions have a section heading here, but Jesus was continuing the sermon that he began in 6:20b. If you put a heading here, you may need to make it explicit that Jesus was still talking. For example:
⌊Jesus continued teaching, and he said,⌋ “But I tell you…”
6:27a
But: The word But introduces a change in focus. Jesus stopped addressing the people who had wrong values (6:24–26). In 6:27, he again spoke to his disciples. Express this change in focus in a natural way in your language.
to those of you who will listen, I say: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to those of you who will listen, I say is literally “to you I say, to the ones hearing.” Jesus addressed his disciples as “you” and as “the ones hearing.” He was drawing attention to what he wanted to say.
Some other ways to translate this are:
This is what I say to all who will listen to me… (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Jesus continued to say, “What I will say to you who are listening to me is…”
-or-
Now, you who are listening to me, I say this to you…
6:27b–28
There are four commands in these verses: “love,” “do good,” “bless,” and “pray for.” The verb form used for each command indicates an action that is repeated. Jesus commanded his disciples to regularly do these things.
The commands are general commands that apply to everyone individually. They are in the plural form.
Consider what form your language would use for general commands that apply to everyone.
• In some languages, it may be the plural form. For example:
love your(plur) enemies
-or-
⌊you
(plur) should/must⌋ love your enemies
• In some languages, it may be the singular form. For example:
love your(sing) enemies
-or-
⌊you
(sing) should⌋ love your enemies
• In some languages, it may be another form. For example:
⌊everyone should⌋ love their enemies
-or-
⌊we should⌋ love our enemies
Use the form that is most natural in your language.
6:27b
Love your enemies: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Love refers to the concern and affection that people should have toward other people. Jesus’ disciples should treat their enemies kindly.
6:27c
do good to those who hate you: Some other ways to translate this are:
Treat well those who hate you
-or-
Behave well toward those who hate you
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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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