Exploring the Command to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ and to ‘Make Disciples’
General Introduction
In this series we are building what we will refer to as the ‘One Page New Testament’ - #onepagenewtestament. Our approach is building a pictorial summary of the main messages for disciples of Jesus in a systematically derived, structured form. We aim to keep the descriptive text to a minimum and share with you the different Themes that are being created. We will consider the scriptures on their own merit, Theme by Theme, without introducing much in the way of theology. Within each Theme, we will let the scriptures speak for themselves - hopefully in a way that demonstrates the validity of the analysis.
Introduction to this Faith Article
This article is the twentieth in a series that is unpacking some of the analysis work currently being undertaken to draw out the main teachings from the New Testament from a personal discipleship perspective. The previous articles can be found in the reference at Note [1] and they focus upon the New Testament’s teaching that corresponds to the challenges of what we have so far called ‘Kingdom Fundamental 1 [KF1]’ - ‘Love God’, and ‘Kingdom Fundamental 2 [KF2]’ - ‘Follow Jesus’.
Here we start to consider Kingdom Fundamental 3 [KF3] - ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ and as sub-components of this, there are two detailed elements which Jesus commanded us to practise:
Love one another [KF3.1]
Love our enemies [KF3.2].
At Level 2 we have derived three Kingdom Practices through our extensive investigations:
Make disciples [KP7]
Forgive (don’t judge) others [KP8]
Undertake acts of service / generosity - [KP9].
In addition, our analysis of New Testament teaching around the challenge from Jesus to Make Disciples has identified seven Kingdom Actions (at Level 3):
Preach the Gospel (Word) to all people groups (locally, nationally, and internationally) - [KA27]
Be a witness (testify of Jesus to others) [KA28]
Deliver sound teaching (correctly derived from Scripture) - [KA29]
Encourage / build up the church (including the use of spiritual gifts) - [KA30]
Correct / admonish other disciples (apply church discipline) - [KA31]
Have fellowship with other believers (the body of Christ -) [KA32]
Share the Lord’s Supper (communion) together - [KA33].
The elements we will cover in this article are shown in light blue (encouragements) in Figure 1.
If readers take away nothing else from these articles other than the sense, logic, and directive actions in the Figures - for disciples to put into practice in the strength God gives - we will hopefully have achieved our initial objective.
Figure 1 - Investigating the Kingdom Fundamental to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’
Kingdom Fundamental 3 [KF3] - ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’
There are six Greek words found in Notes [2] and [3] that we have assessed relate to this Topic. Example scriptures include:
Matthew 22:39 - And the second is like it: ‘Love (Strong’s 25) your neighbor (4139) as yourself.’ [4].
Luke 15:6 - and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors (1069) together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
Acts 28:2 - The islanders showed us unusual kindness (5363). They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.
Romans 13:8 - Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another (2087) has fulfilled the law (NKJV).
Romans 13:10 - Love (26) does no harm to a neighbor (4139). Therefore love (26) is the fulfillment of the law.
Galatians 5:14 - For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love (25) your neighbor (4139) as yourself.”
There are more than 25 verse references where these Greek words appear that support this Theme.
Kingdom Fundamental 3.1 [KF3.1] - ‘Love one another’
There are sixteen Greek words and an idiom that support this component of our analysis. Example scriptures where some of these words appear include:
Matthew 5:22 - But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother (80) shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother (80), ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell (LSB).
Romans 1:11 - I long (1971) to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong
Romans 12:10 - being devoted (5387) to one another in brotherly love (5360), giving preference to one another in honor (LSB).
Galatians 5:6 - For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (26).
Philippians 2:1 - Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love (26), if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection (4698) and mercy (NKJV).
1 Thessalonians 4:9 - Now about your love for one another (5360) we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love (25) each other (240).
Hebrews 6:9 - But we are convinced about you, beloved (27), of things that are better and that belong to salvation, though we are speaking in this way (LSB).
Titus 2:4 - that they admonish the young women to love their husbands (5362), to love their children (5388) (NKJV).
Titus 3:15 - Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love (5368) us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
1 Peter 3:8 - Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters (5361). Be tenderhearted (2155), and keep a humble attitude (NLT).
2 Peter 1:7 - and to godliness, mutual affection (5360); and to mutual affection (5360), love (26).
1 John 3:17 - But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart (Idiom - 2808 & 4698) from him, how does the love (26) of God abide in him (NKJV)?
There are in excess of 150 verse references where these words appear that support this topic.
Kingdom Fundamental 3.2 [KF3.2] - ‘Love our enemies’
There are only four verses where we are encouraged to love our enemies that include two Greek words for love in addition to the word for enemy. These are:
Matthew 5:44 - But I tell you, love (25) your enemies (2190) and pray for those who persecute you.
Luke 6:27 - But to you who are listening I say: Love (25) your enemies (2190), do good to those who hate you.
Luke 6:35 - But love (25) your enemies (2190), do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Romans 12:19 - never taking your own revenge, beloved (27)—instead leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord (LSB).
Kingdom Practice 7 [KP7] - ‘Make disciples’
There are six Greek words of relevance to Jesus’ direction to ‘Make disciples’. Some example verses where they appear include the following:
Matthew 5:20 - For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes (1122) and Pharisees (5330), you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven (NKJV).
Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make disciples (3100) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
John 8:31 - To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples (3101).”
Acts 13:47 - For this is what the Lord has commanded (1781) us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
1 Timothy 4:6 - In pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine (1319) which you have been following (LSB).
1 Timothy 4:11 - Command (3853) and teach these things.
We have identified in the order of 30 relevant verse references where these Greek words appear.
Kingdom Action 27 [KA27] - ‘Preach the Gospel (Word) to all people groups (locally, nationally, and internationally)’
There are twenty two Greek words that we consider are relevant to this Theme of preaching the Gospel. Some of them appear in the example verses below:
Matthew 4:17 - From that time on Jesus began to preach (2784), “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world (3625) as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel (2097) to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed (NKJV).
John 5:24 - “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word (3056) and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
John 17:18 - As you sent me into the world (2889), I have sent them into the world (2889).
Acts 16:17 - Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who are proclaiming (2605) to you the way of salvation (LSB).”
Acts 13:38 - Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed (2605) to you.
Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel (2098), because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Colossians 1:23 - if indeed you continue in the faith firmly grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel (2098), which you have heard, which was proclaimed (2784) in all creation (2937) under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister (LSB).
2 Timothy 4:17 - But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the preaching (2782) might be fulfilled, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth (LSB).
There are more than 410 verse instances where the Greek words we have considered relate to the preaching and proclamation of the Gospel / good news.
Kingdom Action 28 [KA28] - Be a witness (testify of Jesus to others)’
We have considered six Greek words in the context of witnessing to others about Jesus. We present some relevant verses here:
Luke 1:2 - just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses (845) and servants of the word.
John 1:34 - And I myself have seen, and have borne witness (3140) that this is the Son of God (LSB).
Acts 4:33 - With great power the apostles continued to testify (3142) to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.
Acts 14:17 - Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness (267), in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness (NKJV).
Acts 5:32 - We are witnesses (3144) of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
1 John 4:14 - And we have seen and testify (3140) that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world..
Revelation 20:4 - I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony (3141) about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
We think that there are around 80 verse references where these Greek words appear that relate to this Theme.
Summary
In this twentieth Faith Article, we have explored some of the Greek words and idioms (presented in Louw and Nida’s [2] and Mounce’s [3] reference materials), that have begun to explore what it means to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ - [KP7]. This has included some of the Greek words and verses that support the command to Make disciples.
In the next article we will look at other facets of this Theme.
Just as with many English words, Greek words can have more than one meaning and consequently when translated into Biblical texts can be used to convey several different sentiments. Which is used is dependent upon the context.
Ultimately, this analysis and these groupings are subjective, as will be the inclusion (or exclusion) of many verses within each Theme and sub-Theme. We should note that some verses have a much stronger relevance to the derived Themes than others.
During this analysis, the aim has been to restrict the number of Themes that can be associated with any specific Greek word to eight or less - as any more implies poor analysis technique and the wrong heading choice / naming process.
Any thoughts on this Article, the process being undertaken, and related constructive feedback are welcome.
Notes:
[1] - All previous Faith Articles focusing on the One Page New Testament can be found at this page: www.teachthemtoobey.co.uk/blog/
[2] - “Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, based upon Semantic Domains” Volumes 1 and 2 - Louw and Nida - Published by and © United Bible Societies - 1988
[3] - “Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” - © William D Mounce, 2006 - Published by Zondervan
[4] - Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM.
The Bible references presented are illustrative rather than aiming to be ‘proof texts’. They are examples only as there are, generally, many more we could look at. Please note that when looking at any Bible verse references, you should ideally consider more than one translation / respected version to get a more rounded view, and look at the wider context for each verse too. When Greek words are translated, Bible scholars do not always use the same English word every time it appears in the Greek. This is why it is useful to look at more than one Bible version.
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Reading the articles will take only a little time to study - more if we look up the Bible references - and probably a lifetime to work out in practice. Hopefully they will help make each of us ‘Become more like Jesus’!
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