Luke
6:27-38
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- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
- The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
- "Giving and Receiving," Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit.
"Forgiveness for Forgiveness," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation. - Primary comparative texts of Rabbinic Wisdom from Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus, Rutgers University.
- Chapter XIII of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
- Chapter II, The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians, Polycarp of Smyrna (c 115).
- Chapter XV, Chapter, XVI, The First Apology of Justin Martyr. (c 150)
- Chapter XCVI, Dialogue With Trypho, Justin Martyr. (c 160)
- Chapter XI, Chapter XII, Apology for the Christians, Athenagoras of Athens. (c 177)
- Chapter XVIII, On Baptism, Tertullian (c. 198)
- Chapter VII, On Prayer, Tertullian (c. 199)
- Chapter X, Exhortation to the Greeks, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- I.8, III.12, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- II.18, II.19, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
- Chapter VII, Chapter X, Chapter XII, On Patience, Tertullian (c. 202)
- IV.16, IV.17, IV.27, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
- Chapter XXXV, On the Soul, Tertullian (c. 210)
- Chapter X, Scorpiace, Tertullian (c. 213)
- Chapter II, Chapter X, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
- V.II, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
- Epistle LI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 252)
-
"Be Merciful As Your Heavenly Father Is Merciful," Luke 6:36-42, Martin Luther, c. 1525. -
Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, John Calvin, 1558: - From the Geneva Notes.
- "Christian charity, which is very different from worldly charity, not only does not revenge injuries, but is even extended to our most grievous enemies, and that for our Father's sake who is in heaven: in well doing it is not at all seeking its own."
- From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
- "These are hard lessons to flesh and blood. But if we are thoroughly grounded in the faith of Christ's love, this will make his commands easy to us. Every one that comes to him for washing in his blood, and knows the greatness of the mercy and the love there is in him, can say, in truth and sincerity, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Let us then aim to be merciful, even according to the mercy of our heavenly Father to us."
- From
Wesley's
Notes.
John Wesley
(1703-1791).
- "These seem to be proverbial expressions, to signify an invasion of the tenderest points of honour and property."
- From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
- From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
-
Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal. -
"First
Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Epiphany 7,"
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia, 2001.
- "Jesus? life is the best exposition of his teaching: self giving love even in utmost adversity generates life for oneself and for others. It is participation in God?s life."
- Exegetical
Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks
Christian Resources.
- "Jensen (Preaching Luke's Gospel) offers this possible conclusion to a sermon on this text: Jesus' word for us today is: "I call you to live your lives out of an alternative vision of reality. I call you to live your lives as lives that reverse the values of this culture. I call you to love your enemy; turn the other cheek; give your possessions to those in need and judge not the lives of others. Be merciful even as I am merciful. I have come to nourish your entire life with my mercy. I have come to empower you with mercy in order that you may, indeed, live a new kind of life in this world." [p. 82]"
-
"On the Plain Part 2: Enemies," Sea Raven, Liberal Christian
Commentary, 2010.
- "The tables have indeed turned, and the metaphor has become mixed. Today, to speak about non-violence in the face of terrorism is close to treason."
-
"Loving Your Enemies and People You Don't Like,"
Gospel Analysis, Sermons from
Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle,
Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
- "Perfect means to be mature, not to be flawless."
"The Freedom of Forgiveness," Ordinary 7, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian Meditation. Claretian Publications.- "It is so hard to be really free. One of the most subtle ways in which we lose our freedom is through our attitudes to others."
-
"The Values of
Jesus' Kingdom,"
Expository Essay,
Luke 6:27-38, Dr. William R. Long.
- "...our acts of mercy toward others will be repaid, but not necessarily by the recipients of our acts. Instead it will be God who will repay us."
-
"Kingdom Liberation,"
Jerry Goebel, One
Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study
and activities.
- "Kingdom Liberation frees us from our hatred. It frees us from our anger. It frees us from our pettiness and our sin. Kingdom Liberation opens up the power of heaven and rains down joy upon us the abundant joy that increases with every person that we forgive, love, and to whom we bring dignity."
Wellspring of the Gospel, 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings. - "How can you contribute to a spirit of open-ness and forbearance in your community?"
"Love of Enemies," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. - "The exhortation to kindness and mercy, or more rightly forgiveness, sets before us a quality of discipleship well beyond the norm."
-
"A Simple Rule," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials. -
"Have you ever seen the Golden Rule applied? How did it change the situation? The people involved?"
-
-
- Articles & Background:
"Sermon on the Plain," wikipedia. -
"'Love Your Enemies,' the Golden Rule, and Ancient Reciprocity," Alan Kirk, Journal of Biblical Literature, 2003. (Links one long .pdf file of entire Winter 2003 JBL volume. Expect long download times over slow connections.) -
"The Old Testament in the New: A Jewish Perspective," David Daube, in Appeasement or Resistance and Other Essays on New Testament Judaism. University of California Press, 1987. (Scroll down to "IV - Eye for Eye.) -
"The
Evils of Pride and Self-Righteousness,"
by Barbara Brown Taylor at The Living Pulpit.
- "...when I turn my good into your duty and judge you for your failure to perform it according to my standards, then my wish for your well-being becomes something darker and more dangerous. My altruism becomes self-righteousness, which is no longer an annoying habit but a pernicious pride that works evil in the human soul."
-
"The Moral Primacy of Basic Respect," Stephen J. Pope, Cross Currents,
1999.
- "...the belief that we owe respect to each person as such continues to be regarded as summarizing some of our most noble moral ideals."
- From "Examples of Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation in Luke," Dr. Vernon
K. Robbins, at The Encyclopedia of Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation:
- "Matthew
5:38-48/Luke 6:27-36: Oral Scribal Intertexture, Analysis 1"
- "Through the intertextural reading of Matthew 5:38-48 and Luke 6:27-36, in relation to each other and to the Hebrew Bible, one is able to seize upon the very core of the message that Christ is teaching."
- "Matthew
5:38-48/Luke 6:27-36: Oral Scribal Intertexture, Analysis 2"
- "While Matthew and Luke both promote the concept of loving one's enemies, they address the issue in different ways."
- "Luke
6:37-38: Repetitive-Progressive Texture / Opening-Middle-Closing Texture"
- "Tannehill, working closely with the repetition and progression throughout the unit, observed that its special meaning effects emerge from the manner in which it 'brings together situations which we may normally keep apart'"
- "Matthew
5:38-48/Luke 6:27-36: Oral Scribal Intertexture, Analysis 1"
-
"Judge Not?"
Jean Bethke Elshtain, First Things 46 (October 1994): 36-40.
- "Told that, if we are "powerful" we cannot judge others but can only be judged, and on the other hand that if we are "powerless" we can judge totally but cannot be judged-since the "powerful" by definition "don't get it"-we fall into an intellectual laziness that is itself ethically corrupt and corrupting. As Midgley notes, Jesus' message was: do not stone people, do not cast them out, do not write them off. His target was punitive self-righteousness."
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices.
- Carter, Warren, "Love Your Enemies," Word & World,
2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Elshtain, Jean Bethke,
"Judge Not?" First Things, 1994.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Haggmark, Steven A., "Islam as an Enemy? A Study in
the Social Construction of 'Realities,'" Word & World, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Hess, Mary, "Resisting the Human Need for Enemies, or
What Would Harry Potter Do?" Word & World, 2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Horsley, Richard A.,
"Ethics and Exegesis: 'Love Your Enemies' and the Doctrine of Non-Violence,"
Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 1986.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Kirk, Alan,
"'Love Your Enemies,' The Golden Rule, and Ancient Reciprocity (Luke
6:27-35)," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Kirk, Alan,
"Some Compositional Conventions of Hellenistic Wisdom Texts and the
Juxtaposition of 4:1-13; 6:20b-49; and 7:1-10 in Q," Journal of
Biblical Literature, 1997.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Pope, Stephen J., "The Moral Primacy of
Basic Respect," Cross Currents, 1999.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Ringe, Sharon H., "Luke 9:28-36: The Beginning of an Exodus," Semeia, 1983.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Simpson, Gary M., "'Changing the Face of the Enemy':
Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Beloved Community," Word & World,
2008.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Taylor, Barbara Brown,
"The Evils of Pride and Self-Righteousness," The Living Pulpit,
1992.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Topel, John, S.J.,
"The Tarnished Golden Rule (Luke 6:31): The Inescapable Radicalness of
Christian Ethics," Theological Studies, 1998.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Carter, Warren, "Love Your Enemies," Word & World,
2008.
- Reviews:
- Sermons:
-
"The Golden Rule,"
"Loving Your Enemies and People You Don't Like," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. - "Prayer: Connecting to the Divine Presence," the Rev. Arthur Cribbs, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2002.
- "Simple, yet Not So Simple," the Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad, Day 1, 2001.
Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
-
"The Golden Rule,"
- With Children:
- "Love Your Enemies," Illustrating the Stories (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
-
"Love Your
Enemies,"
"Giving Mercy," Fr Max Bowers, Kids Church.
-
"Sharing His Love,"
Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com. - "Two Different Friends," children's story by Larry Broding, word-sunday.com.
- "Love Your Enemies," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
- "Sharing His Love," Anne Eury, sermons4kids.com.
- Drama:
- "An Eye for an Eye, A Tooth for a Tooth," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
- "Bygones," Erina Caradus, dramatix.
- "Super Secret Sisters," Glenn A. Hascall, dramatix.
- "To Be Or Not To Be (Kind, That Is)," Kelly Gross, dramatix.
- "Forgiveness," Janelle S. Ponte, dramatix.
- "Phar-A-Non," Glenn A. Hascall, dramatix.
- "Forgiveness - Dwarf Style," Dean Herring, dramatix.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art, Luke 6:37, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
- Clip Art Images: Luke 6:27-38, Luke 6:27-38 #2, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- Luke 6:27-38, Luke 6:36-38, Luke 6:36-38, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
- Luke 6:27-38 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
- Hymns and Music:
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Luke 6:38. The Cyber Hymnal.
- At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
Find Worship Resources & Suggested Other Readings for use with this text: - Study Links and Resources for the Book of Luke
