Topical Bible: Love of Neighbor

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The concept of "Love of Neighbor" is a central tenet in Christian theology, deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. It is a commandment that underscores the ethical and moral obligations of individuals towards one another, reflecting the character and will of God.

Old Testament Foundations

The command to love one's neighbor is first articulated in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 19:18 states, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This commandment is part of the Holiness Code, which outlines the ethical and ritual conduct expected of the Israelites. The directive to love one's neighbor is presented as a reflection of God's holiness and justice, emphasizing the importance of community harmony and personal integrity.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ elevates the command to love one's neighbor to a central position in His teachings. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus responds by quoting the Shema from Deuteronomy 6:5 and the command from Leviticus 19:18, thereby linking the love of God with the love of neighbor. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus says, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

The parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25-37, further illustrates the expansive nature of this command. In this parable, Jesus challenges the prevailing social and ethnic boundaries by depicting a Samaritan, traditionally despised by the Jews, as the exemplar of neighborly love. The Samaritan's compassion and action towards a wounded stranger underscore the call to love beyond cultural and religious barriers.

Apostolic Exhortations

The apostles continue to emphasize the importance of loving one's neighbor in their epistles. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 13:9-10 , reiterates the commandment, stating, "The commandments 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Here, Paul underscores that love is the essence and fulfillment of the law, guiding believers in their interactions with others.

Similarly, the Apostle James highlights the royal law found in Scripture, affirming its significance in Christian conduct. James 2:8 states, "If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well." This passage emphasizes the practical application of love in the life of a believer, urging adherence to this command as a measure of genuine faith.

Theological Implications

The love of neighbor is not merely an ethical directive but is deeply theological, reflecting the nature of God Himself. In 1 John 4:7-8 , the apostle John writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This passage highlights that love for others is a manifestation of one's relationship with God, as God is the ultimate source of love.

The love of neighbor is thus a reflection of divine love, calling believers to emulate God's love in their relationships. It is a command that transcends mere sentiment, requiring action, sacrifice, and a commitment to the well-being of others. Through loving one's neighbor, Christians bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and the reality of God's kingdom on earth.

Topical Bible Verses

Mark 12:31
And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
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Luke 10:27
And he answering said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
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John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
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1 John 4:20
If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
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Greek

5384. philos -- beloved, dear, friendly
... [25 () focuses on (an ) love -- which of ... Properly, dear, ie A friend; actively, fond,
ie Friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.) -- friend. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5384.htm - 7k

Library

Whether the Precept of Love of Our Neighbor is Fittingly Expressed ...
... Therefore man ought not to love his neighbor as himself. ... Therefore it is unfitting
that he should be commanded to love his neighbor as himself. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precept of love.htm

Whether a Man Ought to Love his Neighbor More than his Own Body?
... OF THE ORDER OF CHARITY (THIRTEEN ARTICLES) Whether a man ought to love
his neighbor more than his own body? Objection 1: It would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man ought to 3.htm

Whether we Ought to Love one Neighbor More than Another?
... OF THE ORDER OF CHARITY (THIRTEEN ARTICLES) Whether we ought to love one
neighbor more than another? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to love 3.htm

Love of Ourselves and of Our Neighbor.
... He says then that the second precept is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
[128] Now you love yourself suitably when you love God better than yourself ...
/.../chapter 26 name of ourselves.htm

Whether it is More Meritorious to Love One's Neighbor than to Love ...
... OF THE PRINCIPLE ACT OF CHARITY, WHICH IS TO LOVE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether it
is more meritorious to love one's neighbor than to love God? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is more meritorious 2.htm

Whether Our of Charity, Man Ought to Love Himself More than his ...
... according to Prov.12:26: "He that neglecteth a loss for the sake of a friend, is
just." Therefore a man ought, out of charity, to love his neighbor more than ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether our of charity man.htm

Whether the Love of Charity Stops at God, or Extends to Our ...
... from what has been stated above ([2530]Q[10], A[2]). Therefore also the love with
which we love God, is distinct from the love with which we love our neighbor. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the love of charity.htm

The Command to Love God and Our Neighbor Includes a Command to ...
... "Thou shalt love," He says, "the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind; and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 26 the command to love.htm

Of True Love, by which we Arrive at the Knowledge of the Trinity. ...
... God must both needs do what God has commanded, and loves Him just in such proportion
as he does so; therefore he must needs also love his neighbor, because God ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 7 of true love by.htm

On Doing Good to the Soul of Our Neighbor. Two Parts of Discipline ...
... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy mind;" and the other, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself ...
/.../chapter 28 name doing good.htm