Leviticus 19:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In his remarkable praise, Palladius elevates the law by emphasizing the foremost commandment, which is ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength’ (Deut. 6:5; cf. Mk. 12:30). He also includes the commandment to ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’ (Lev. 19:18). Furthermore, Christ explicitly states that ‘on these two commandments the whole law and the prophets are established’ (Mt. 22:40). The Apostle Paul also refers to love as the essence of the law, declaring that it does not harm one’s neighbor (Rom. 13:10).

The apostle teaches that this commandment encapsulates the entirety of the law (cf. Rom. 13:8-9). As no one can genuinely love themselves without first loving God, the Lord affirms that the entire Law and the Prophets rest upon these two commandments (See Matt. 22:37-40).

The individual who, in their own time of need, fails to provide for their neighbor what they themselves require is judged as lacking in love toward that neighbor. Thus, the commandment instructs believers to share two garments with those in need, as sharing only one garment does not fulfill the requirement, since the recipient will be left without adequate clothing. A single garment shared results in both the giver and receiver remaining uncovered.