Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of love for one's neighbor as a fundamental tenet of Christian ethics is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and is recognized as the Second Great Commandment. This commandment is derived from the words of Jesus in the New Testament, where He emphasizes the importance of love as a guiding principle for human relationships.
Biblical FoundationThe Second Great Commandment is explicitly stated in the Gospel of Matthew. When asked by a Pharisee about the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus responds by quoting the Shema from
Deuteronomy 6:5, affirming the primacy of loving God. He then adds, "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’" (
Matthew 22:39). This commandment is a direct reference to
Leviticus 19:18, which instructs the Israelites to love their neighbors.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus reiterates this teaching, saying, "The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these" (
Mark 12:31). Here, Jesus places the love of neighbor on par with the love of God, indicating its critical role in the life of a believer.
Theological SignificanceThe Second Great Commandment underscores the intrinsic value of every human being, created in the image of God (
Genesis 1:27). It calls for an active, selfless love that mirrors the love God has for humanity. This love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice to seek the welfare of others, reflecting the sacrificial love demonstrated by Christ.
The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his epistles, particularly in
Romans 13:9-10, where he writes, "The 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" . Paul emphasizes that love is the essence of the law, fulfilling its requirements through acts of kindness, compassion, and justice.
Practical ApplicationThe Second Great Commandment calls Christians to a life of service and humility, prioritizing the needs of others. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (
Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates the practical outworking of this commandment, challenging cultural and social barriers to demonstrate love and mercy to those in need.
The early church exemplified this love through communal living and mutual support, as seen in
Acts 2:44-45, where believers shared their possessions to ensure no one was in need. This model of community life serves as a testament to the transformative power of love in action.
Challenges and ConsiderationsWhile the command to love one's neighbor is clear, its application can be challenging in a world marked by division and strife. Christians are called to transcend personal biases and prejudices, extending love even to enemies, as Jesus taught in
Matthew 5:44: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" .
The Second Great Commandment also invites believers to engage in social justice, advocating for the marginalized and oppressed. This involves a commitment to righteousness and equity, reflecting God's heart for justice as articulated in
Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" .
In summary, the Second Great Commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself is a foundational principle of Christian ethics, calling believers to embody the love of Christ in their interactions with others. It challenges Christians to live out their faith through acts of love, service, and justice, reflecting the character of God in a broken world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Matthew 22:37-39Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The First and Great Commandment
... love the Lord thy God." That is the law, and though no man can keep ... "Thou shalt love
the Lord ... 2. That brings us to the second point"the measure of this law. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the first and great commandment.htm
The Second Commandment
... Judges 11:7. The idolater shuts the truth out of doors; he blots out the second
commandment; he makes an image of the invisible God; he ... To love a man for his ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 2 the second commandment.htm
The Tables Turned: the Questioners Questioned
... It must be 'all in all, or not at all.'. 'A second is like unto it,'"love
to man is the under side, as it were, of love to God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the tables turned the questioners.htm
The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and ...
... is love - His Nature so manifesting itself - so is love to God also love [5212]
to man. And so this second is like' the first and great commandment.' It was a ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the third day.htm
The Great Commandment
... for not talking about our feelings to any man, priest or ... the love that God has to
us, then love to Him ... Provided"and there is that second reason why people do ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xiv the great commandment.htm
The Beauty and Excellency of this World Consists, not Only in the ...
... The second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," Matth.
xxii.37, 38, 39. ... "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another" (Romans 13:8 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter i the beauty and.htm
Christ, the Great Teacher
... truth of the "Brotherhood of Man." The true relation of man to man, no matter ... The
second great commandment given by Christ is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study i christ the great.htm
Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
... who truly love God can not consistently sin against man (I. John iv ... sum of it is
that we are to love God with ... whole being.] 39 And a { ^b 31 The} second ^a like ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cix jewish rulers seek to 3.htm
The Christian's Fellow Man
... And the second is like unto it. ... well put it that God must first be loved, with all
the heart, soul and mind, before a man is ready to love his neighbour ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study iv the christians fellow.htm
Non-Resistance
... is turned, or the cloak yielded, or the second mile trudged ... more harmfully to himself
than is many a man who makes ... is that it is a form of Love,"love in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/non-resistance.htm
Resources
What is love? What is the definition of love? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is agape love? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-love, loving self? | GotQuestions.orgLove: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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