Luke 6:36Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord had said that we must love our enemies, but that you might not think this an exaggerated expression, regarding it solely as spoken to alarm them, he adds the reason, saying, For if you love them which love you, what thank have ye? There are indeed several causes which produce love; but spiritual love exceeds them all. For nothing earthly engenders it, neither gain, nor kindness, nor nature, nor time, but it descends from heaven. But why wonder that it needs not kindness to excite it, when it is not even overcome of malice? A father indeed suffering wrong bursts the bands of love. A wife after a quarrel leaves her husband. A son, if he sees his father come to a great age, is troubled. But Paul went to those who stoned him to do them good.

What do you wish for, to resemble sinners or to reflect God's likeness? Can you recognize the sacred instruction? Initially, He guides you through the moral law: treat others as you wish to be treated; afterwards, He motivates you with the ultimate goal and the promised blessing, assuring you that you shall become like God.

Great then is the praise of mercy. For this virtue makes us like unto God, and imprints upon our souls certain signs as it were of a heavenly nature. Hence it follows, Be ye then merciful, as your heavenly Father also is merciful.

Now this mode of avarice is rightly called in the Greek τόκος, from producing, because of the fruitfulness of the evil. Animals in course of time grow up and produce, but interest as soon as it is born begins to bring forth. Animals which bring forth most rapidly cease soonest from breeding, but the money of the avaricious goes on increasing with time. Animals when they transfer their bringing forth to their own young, themselves cease to breed, but the money of the covetous both produces an increase, and renews the capital. Touch not then the destructive monster. For what advantage that the poverty of to-day is escaped, if it falls upon us repeatedly, and is increased? Reflect then how canst thou restore thyself?

But man ought to shun that baneful anxiety with which he seeks from the poor man increase of his money and gold, exacting a profit of barren metals. Hence he adds, And lend, hoping for nothing again, &c. If a man should call the harsh calculation of interest, theft, or homicide, he will not err. For what is the difference, whether a man by digging under a wall become possessed of property, or possess it unlawfully by the compulsory rate of interest?

That is to say, that we beholding His mercies, what good things we do should do them not with regard to men, but to Him, that we may obtain our rewards from God, not from men.

Now philosophy seems to divide justice into three parts; one towards God, which is called piety; another towards our parents, or the rest of mankind; a third to the dead, that the proper rites may be performed. But the Lord Jesus passing beyond the oracle of the law, and the heights of prophecy, extended the duties of piety to those also who have injured us, adding, But love your enemies.

This commandment signifies that individuals ought to exhibit kindness to their neighbors by offering aid without distinction between those who are worthy and those who are not. Additionally, it calls upon us to show compassion to our neighbors by forgiving all of their shortcomings, wrongdoings, and grievances.

It is evident.

But he not only condemns as unprofitable the love and kindness of sinners, but also the lending. As it follows, And if ye lend to those from whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

What He asks of us now—loving our adversaries, performing acts of kindness, lending to those who cannot repay—transcends mere appropriateness and personal benefit, as previously stated. This request seems trivial when weighed against what He has bestowed upon us. He sacrificed Himself for us, not only when we had nothing to offer in return but also while we were often ungrateful and wicked in various ways. Nonetheless, He encourages us to give from our abundance and to act kindly with the resources we have. But consider this: in exchange for such humble offerings, He generously provides the likeness of Himself and grants us the lofty privilege of being adopted as children of God, along with the promise of heavenly rewards. He instructs us to "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful," to whom be glory with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

This commandment is one that should deeply resonate within the core of every genuine believer, for at the final judgment of Christ, only those who have shown mercy will be found at His right hand, recognized as blessed by the Father in heaven, and granted entry into the kingdom prepared for them. The Lord God, our Savior, embodies mercy and emanates it; thus, a disciple filled with mercy reflects Him and our compassionate Father in heaven, who is the embodiment of love. The teachings of our Lord and God Jesus Christ

Regarding the Father and God, it is said that He embodies mercy, and thus men are called to exhibit mercy. God, by His very nature, is merciful and gracious, overflowing with boundless compassion and generosity. In contrast, humanity has the capacity to be merciful and gracious only through the grace bestowed by God. God is inherently good, existing in goodness without external aid; however, humanity requires God’s grace and assistance to attain true goodness. As God Himself stated, "Without me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

Show compassion: The term "perfect" in Hebrews extends beyond the mere idea of mercy. In the Gospel according to Luke, this word is employed likely because the author focuses on the segments of the Savior’s teachings that emphasize mercy (Luke 6:33-34).