◄ Leviticus 19:18 ►
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Study Bible
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people,

This command is part of the Holiness Code, a section of Leviticus (chapters 17-26) that outlines how the Israelites are to live as God's holy people. The prohibition against revenge and grudges emphasizes the importance of maintaining community harmony and reflects the broader biblical principle of forgiveness. In ancient Israel, personal vendettas could disrupt social order and lead to cycles of violence. This command is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) and Paul advises against repaying evil for evil (Romans 12:17-19). The focus on "your people" highlights the communal aspect of Israelite society, where kinship and tribal affiliations were central.

Rom 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider…
Pro 24:29 I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man…
Deu 32:35 Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time…

but love your neighbor as yourself.

This phrase is foundational to both Jewish and Christian ethics. It encapsulates the principle of empathy and selflessness, urging individuals to treat others with the same care and respect they desire for themselves. Jesus cites this command as the second greatest commandment, alongside loving God (Matthew 22:37-39). The term "neighbor" extends beyond immediate kin to include all members of the community, and in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus expands this definition to include all humanity. This command challenges believers to transcend personal biases and prejudices, fostering a spirit of unity and compassion.

Mat 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mrk 12:31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’…
Rom 13:9 The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,”…

I am the LORD.

This declaration underscores the divine authority behind the command. It serves as a reminder that the laws given to Israel are not merely societal norms but are rooted in the character and will of God. The phrase "I am the LORD" appears frequently in Leviticus, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people. It calls the Israelites to obedience, not just out of duty, but as an act of worship and reverence for their covenant-keeping God. This divine signature assures the Israelites that their moral and ethical conduct is a reflection of their identity as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes.

Lev 18:2 Speak to the Israelites and tell them: I am the LORD…
Exo 20:2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out…
Isa 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The original audience of Leviticus, the Israelites were God's chosen people, receiving the Law through Moses as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites and the mediator of God's Law, including the instructions found in Leviticus.

3. Mount Sinai
The place where God gave the Law to Moses, including the commandments found in Leviticus.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who commands His people to live in holiness and love, reflecting His character.

5. Neighbor
In the context of Leviticus, this refers to fellow Israelites, but the principle extends to all people as seen in the broader biblical account.
Teaching Points
The Call to Love
As believers, we are called to love others selflessly, reflecting God's love for us. This love is not just an emotion but an action that seeks the well-being of others.

Forgiveness Over Revenge
Holding grudges and seeking revenge are contrary to God's command. We are to forgive as we have been forgiven, trusting God to be the ultimate judge.

Holiness in Relationships
Our relationships with others are a reflection of our relationship with God. Loving our neighbor is a practical expression of living a holy life.

Identity in God
The command ends with "I am the LORD," reminding us that our identity and actions are rooted in our relationship with God. Our love for others is a response to His authority and character.

Universal Application
While originally directed at the Israelites, the principle of loving one's neighbor extends to all humanity, as affirmed by Jesus and the New Testament writers.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the context of Leviticus 19:18 help us apply it in our modern lives?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate love for our neighbors in practical terms today?

3. How does the command to love your neighbor as yourself challenge our natural inclinations towards revenge or holding grudges?

4. How does Jesus' teaching in the New Testament expand the understanding of who our "neighbor" is?

5. What are some specific ways we can reflect God's character in our relationships with others, based on this verse?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus cites Leviticus 19:18 as part of the greatest commandment, emphasizing love for God and neighbor as the foundation of the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 13:8-10
Paul reiterates the command to love your neighbor, stating that love fulfills the Law.

James 2:8
James refers to Leviticus 19:18 as the "royal law," highlighting its importance in Christian ethics.

Galatians 5:14
Paul again emphasizes that the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Sermons
Brotherly AffectionJ. Spencer.Leviticus 19:18
Forgive and ForgetBp. Babington.Leviticus 19:18
Penalty of the Desire to AvengeScientific lllustrationsLeviticus 19:18
Victory Over Self the Best Way to Gain OthersLeviticus 19:18
Religion and SuperstitionW. Clarkson Leviticus 19:1, 2, 4, 5, 12, 26-28, 30-32, 36, 37
Social MoralityR.M. Edgar Leviticus 19:1-37
Honour to Whom HonorW. Clarkson Leviticus 19:3, 32
The Holy Law in the Holy LifeR.A. Redford Leviticus 19:3-37
ConsideratenessW. Clarkson Leviticus 19:9, 10, 13, 14, 33, 34
IntegrityW. Clarkson Leviticus 19:11, 13, 15, 16, 35, 36
JusticeJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 19:15-18
Love - its Root and its FruitW. Clarkson Leviticus 19:17, 18
People
Ephah, Moses
Places
Egypt, Teman
Topics
Attempts, Avenge, Bear, Equal, Feelings, Grudge, Hast, Love, Neighbor, Neighbour, Revenge, Seek, Sons, Thyself, Vengeance, Watch, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 19:18

     1175   God, will of
     2048   Christ, love of
     5053   responsibility, for world
     5067   suicide
     5495   revenge, and retaliation
     5929   resentment, against people
     6109   alienation
     6604   acceptance, human
     8242   ethics, personal
     8298   love, for one another
     8301   love, and enemies
     8412   decisions
     8737   evil, responses to
     8765   grudge
     8828   spite
     8841   unfaithfulness, to people

Leviticus 19:9-18

     8273   holiness, ethical aspects

Leviticus 19:13-18

     8311   morality, and redemption

Leviticus 19:15-18

     8452   neighbours, duty to

Leviticus 19:17-18

     5377   law, Ten Commandments

Leviticus 19:18-19

     5376   law, purpose of

Library
February the Thirteenth Grudges
"Thou shalt not bear any grudge." --LEVITICUS xix. 11-18. How searching is that demand upon the soul! My forgiveness of my brother is to be complete. No sullenness is to remain, no sulky temper which so easily gives birth to thunder and lightning. There is to be no painful aloofness, no assumption of a superiority which rains contempt upon the offender. When I forgive, I am not to carry any powder forward on the journey. I am to empty out all my explosives, all my ammunition of anger and revenge. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Life of a Christian Man. Scriptural Arguments Exhorting to It.
This first chapter consists of two parts,--I. Connection between this treatise on the Christian Life and the doctrine of Regeneration and Repentance. Arrangement of the treatise, sec. 1-3. II. Extremes to be avoided; 1. False Christians denying Christ by their works condemned, sec. 4. 2. Christians should not despair, though they have not attained perfection, provided they make daily progress in piety and righteousness. 1. WE have said that the object of regeneration is to bring the life of believers …
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life

Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Law of Love
'Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Love and the Day
'Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11. And that, knowing the time, that now …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Real Nature and Purpose of the Old Testament
[Sidenote: A large and complex library] Turning from the Jewish and mediaeval traditions and theories which so easily beset us, we ask, What is the real nature of the Old Testament as it is revealed in this new and clearer light? The first conclusion is that it is a library containing a large and complex literature, recording the varied experiences, political, social, ethical, and religious, of the Israelitish race. The fact that it is a library consisting of many different books is recognized …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

How those are to be Admonished who do Bad Things Secretly and Good Things Openly, and those who do Contrariwise.
(Admonition 36.) Differently to be admonished are those who do bad things in secret and good things publicly, and those who hide the good things they do, and yet in some things done publicly allow ill to be thought of them. For those who do bad things in secret and good things publicly are to be admonished to consider with what swiftness human judgments flee away, but with what immobility divine judgments endure. They are to be admonished to fix the eyes of their mind on the end of things; since, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Tables Turned: the Questioners Questioned
'But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying, 36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38. This is the first and great commandment. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Bands of Love; Or, Union to Christ. "I Drew them with Cords of a Man, with Bands of Love: and I was to them as they that Take Off the Yoke on their Jaws, and I Laid Meat unto Them. " --Hosea xi. 4.
BANDS OF LOVE; OR, UNION TO CHRIST. SYSTEMATIC theologians have usually regarded union to Christ under three aspects, natural, mystical and federal, and it may be that these three terms are comprehensive enough to embrace the whole subject, but as our aim is simplicity, let us be pardoned if we appear diffuse when we follow a less concise method. 1. The saints were from the beginning joined to Christ by bands of everlasting love. Before He took on Him their nature, or brought them into a conscious …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

That the Body and Blood of Christ and the Holy Scriptures are Most Necessary to a Faithful Soul
The Voice of the Disciple O most sweet Lord Jesus, how great is the blessedness of the devout soul that feedeth with Thee in Thy banquet, where there is set before it no other food than Thyself its only Beloved, more to be desired than all the desires of the heart? And to me it would verily be sweet to pour forth my tears in Thy presence from the very bottom of my heart, and with the pious Magdalene to water Thy feet with my tears. But where is this devotion? Where the abundant flowing of holy …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Parable of the Good Samaritan.
(Probably Judæa.) ^C Luke X. 25-37. ^c 25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [For the term lawyer see pp. 313, 314, The lawyer wished to make trial of the skill of Jesus in solving the intricate and difficult question as to how to obtain salvation. Jesus was probably teaching in some house or courtyard, and his habit of giving local color to his parables suggests that he was probably in or near Bethany, through …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
THE question as to the Rabbinic views in regard to the binding character of the Law, and its imposition on the Gentiles, in Messianic times, although, strictly speaking, not forming part of this history, is of such vital importance in connection with recent controversies as to demand special consideration. In the text to which this Appendix refers it has been indicated, that a new legislation was expected in Messianic days. The ultimate basis of this expectancy must be sought in the Old Testament …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Second Series of Parables - the Two Parables of Him who is Neighbour to Us: the First, Concerning the Love That, Unasked, Gives in Our
THE period between Christ's return from the Feast of the Dedication' and His last entry into Jerusalem, may be arranged into two parts, divided by the brief visit to Bethany for the purpose of raising Lazarus from the dead. Even if it were possible, with any certainty, chronologically to arrange the events of each of these periods, the variety and briefness of what is recorded would prevent our closely following them in this narrative. Accordingly, we prefer grouping them together as the Parables …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

But if no Authority for Lying Can be Alleged...
9. But if no authority for lying can be alleged, neither from the ancient Books, be it because that is not a lie which is received to have been done or said in a figurative sense, or be it because good men are not challenged to imitate that which in bad men, beginning to amend, is praised in comparison with the worse; nor yet from the books of the New Testament, because Peter's correction rather than his simulation, even as his tears rather than his denial, is what we must imitate: then, as to those …
St. Augustine—On Lying

The Eclipse and Rediscovery of the Old Testament
[Sidenote: Jesus' study of the Old Testament] The opening chapters of the Gospels record only three or four meagre facts regarding the first thirty years of Jesus' life. The real history of those significant years ran so far beneath the surface of external events that it completely escaped the historian. The history of the mental and spiritual life of the Master is recorded in his mature character and teachings. The fugitive hints, however, vividly illustrate the supreme fact that he ever grew …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Eligius, Bishop of Noyon.
THE life of this pious bishop is so much the more worthy our consideration, on account of his having passed many years in the position of an ordinary citizen, before he entered on the clerical office; because his life may thus afford us a picture of the pious citizens of his time. Eligius was born at Chatelàt, a mile from Limoges, A. D. 588. His family had been Christian for many generations, and he received a pious education, [8] the result of which extended throughout his life. In his youth, …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Secondly, for Thy Words.
1. Remember, that thou must answer for every idle word, that in multiloquy, the wisest man shall overshoot himself. Avoid, therefore, all tedious and idle talk, from which seldom arises comfort, many times repentance: especially beware of rash answers, when the tongue outruns the mind. The word was thine whilst thou didst keep it in; it is another's as soon as it is out. O the shame, when a man's own tongue shall be produced a witness, to the confusion of his own face! Let, then, thy words be few, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Eleventh Day. The Holy one of Israel.
I am the Lord that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. I the Lord which make you holy, am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45, xxi. 8. 'I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Thy Saviour. Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.'--Isa. xliii. 3, 14, 15. In the book of Exodus we found God making provision for the Holiness of His people. In the holy …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel
In order accurately to understand the position of woman in Israel, it is only necessary carefully to peruse the New Testament. The picture of social life there presented gives a full view of the place which she held in private and in public life. Here we do not find that separation, so common among Orientals at all times, but a woman mingles freely with others both at home and abroad. So far from suffering under social inferiority, she takes influential and often leading part in all movements, specially …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Judas' Betrayal and Peter's Denial Foretold.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 21-25, 31-35; ^B Mark XIV. 18-21, 27-31; ^C Luke XXII. 21-23, 31-38; ^D John XIII. 21-38. ^b 18 And ^d 21 When Jesus had thus said, ^b as they sat and were eating, ^d he was troubled in the spirit, and ^b Jesus ^d testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ^b even he that eateth with me. ^c 21 But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. [The foreknowledge of Judas' crime …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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