Paragraph 6:32–36
In this paragraph, Jesus stated that some people respond kindly only to those who treat them well. These people are just like the “sinners” whom they despise. He illustrated this with three examples. Each example is a rhetorical question that emphasizes that people like that will get no credit for such behavior.
Jesus then restated the three situations with commands. He said that God would reward them if they followed these commands.
6:32a–b
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that you will not receive any credit or praise in this situation. He said that when you love those who love you, it is no credit to you.
Some ways to translate this emphasis are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? (New Living Translation (2004))
• As a statement. For example:
If you love ⌊only⌋ those who love you, you ⌊certainly⌋ do not deserve any special praise for that.
Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.
love: This is the same word as in 6:27b.
what credit is that to you?: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as credit is literally “grace.” However, in this context, it means “being well thought of” either by people or by God. Jesus was emphasizing that loving people who love you is not exceptional or special. It is not something that will result in recognition or praise.
Some other ways to translate this are:
…will you receive favor/approval for that?
-or-
…what praise should you get? (New Century Version)
-or-
…will God praise you for that? (Contemporary English Version)
General Comment on 6:32a–b
In some languages, it may be natural to change the order of 6:32a and 6:32b. For example:
32bWhat credit/praise do you deserve 32afor loving those who love you?
6:32c
Even sinners love those who love them: In Greek, a conjunction connects this clause to the rhetorical question. This conjunction is literally “for/because.” For example:
For even sinners love those who love them. (New American Standard Bible)
This conjunction introduces the reason why people gain no special credit for loving the people who love them. Since sinners also love those who love them, it is clear that doing this is not exceptional and does not cause a person to deserve special favor. In some languages, no conjunction is necessary here. For example:
Even sinners love the people who love them. (New Century Version)
sinners: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sinners here refers to people who habitually sin against God. They do what is contrary to God’s law. Their actions, thoughts, and attitudes are not what God wants or approves. They also may fail to do what God wants them to do. Other ways to translate this are:
those/people who sin
-or-
people who do not keep God’s law/laws
-or-
those who do not obey God
The New International Version had single quote marks around the word “sinners,” but other English versions do not include them, and the New International Version (2011) no longer has them. It is not necessary to include them in your translation.
General Comment on 6:32a–c
In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in 6:32a–c. For example:
32cEven sinners love the people who love them. 32aSo if you love only the people who love you, 32byou will certainly not receive any credit.
-or-
32cEven sinners love the people who love them. So, 32byou will certainly not receive any credit 32aif you love only the people who love you.
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