Topical Bible: Love to Man: Love to Self is the Measure of

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian tradition, love for others is a central tenet, deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. The concept that love for one's neighbor should be measured by the love one has for oneself is a profound biblical principle. This idea is encapsulated in the commandment often referred to as the "Golden Rule," which is found in the synoptic Gospels.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for this principle is found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus summarizes the Law and the Prophets. In Matthew 22:39 , Jesus states, "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" This commandment is second only to the love of God, as Jesus emphasizes in the preceding verse, Matthew 22:37-38 : "Jesus declared, ‘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."

Similarly, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus reiterates this teaching. Mark 12:31 records, "The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these." This underscores the importance of self-love as a benchmark for how we are to love others.

Theological Implications

The command to love others as oneself implies a healthy self-regard, which is not to be confused with selfishness or narcissism. Instead, it suggests a balanced self-awareness and appreciation of one's own worth as a creation of God. This self-love becomes the standard by which love for others is measured. It acknowledges that just as one naturally seeks their own well-being, they should equally seek the well-being of others.

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his epistles. In Galatians 5:14 , he writes, "The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Paul’s emphasis on this commandment highlights its foundational role in Christian ethics and community life.

Practical Application

In practical terms, loving others as oneself involves empathy, compassion, and active concern for the needs and welfare of others. It calls for an understanding that others are deserving of the same respect, kindness, and care that one naturally desires for oneself. This principle challenges believers to transcend self-centeredness and to engage in acts of service and charity.

The parable of the Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25-37, serves as a vivid illustration of this commandment in action. The Samaritan’s willingness to help a stranger in need, regardless of ethnic and cultural barriers, exemplifies the selfless love that Jesus advocates.

Challenges and Reflections

While the command to love others as oneself is straightforward, it presents challenges in its application. Human nature, marred by sin, often inclines towards self-interest. Therefore, this commandment requires a conscious effort and reliance on the Holy Spirit to cultivate a heart that genuinely seeks the good of others.

Moreover, this principle invites believers to reflect on their own self-perception. A distorted self-view, whether it be excessive pride or undue self-deprecation, can hinder the ability to love others appropriately. Thus, a balanced and biblical understanding of self-worth is essential for fulfilling this commandment.

In summary, the biblical mandate to love one's neighbor as oneself is a profound and challenging call to live out the love of Christ in everyday interactions. It serves as a measure and guide for Christian conduct, urging believers to reflect the love they have received from God in their relationships with others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 12:33
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... self-control; against such things there is no law.". ... utterance and knowledge and
in all earnestness and in the love. ... Faith is the response, wrought in man, by God ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

The Love which Withers.
... natural process. To man, love means self-denial and self-sacrifice. He
is ... God. The least doubt about it disparages that Love. And ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxii the love which withers.htm

The Love that Constrains
... highest type of love should be, and in the measure in which we are under the influence
of Christ's love will be, the self-surrendering life of a Christian man. ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the love that constrains.htm

But they Answer and Speak, Saying, "If the Will of Man Without any ...
... why may it not be that in the same manner the self-same will of man by the ... should,
either for beauty's sake of very righteousness or for love of eternal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /13 but they answer and.htm

The Paradox of Love's Measure
... the members of mankind, and no human heart can be so emptied of self as to ... in Him
so informed and inspired the human as that the love of His man's heart was ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the paradox of loves measure.htm

Love Unknowable and Known
... and the little, narrow, low doorway of humble self-distrusting faith, through which
a man creeps on his ... the large place in which Christ's love is imparted ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/love unknowable and known.htm

Love's Labours
... Love does not ask to have an easy life of it: self-love makes that her aim. ... You mean
that I shall not love you, my good man, but I shall love you. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/loves labours.htm

Through Three Things a Man Becomes God-Seeing
... this inward drawing is felt by each lover, more or less, according to the measure
of his love and the ... But the God-seeing man who has forsaken self and all ...
/.../the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter iii through three things.htm

Entering into the Infinite
... being no longer the servant of self, but the ... and cynical and quarrelsome, he bestows
compassion and love. ... are devastating the world, the wise man, looking with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/entering into the infinite.htm

1 John iv. 7, 8
... in their nature to receive this his revelation from without, to become partakers
of his self-communication, to ... Love moved him, when man had estranged ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iv 7 8.htm

How the Love of God Has Dominion Over Other Loves.
... but this last born inherits all the authority, and self-love, as another ... wills that
as in himself so in man all things should be ordered by love and for ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi how the love.htm