Luke 6:32 – “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus challenges His followers to go beyond the basic human tendency of loving those who love them in return. Loving someone who already cares for you doesn’t require much effort or sacrifice—it’s natural and easy. But Jesus calls His disciples to a higher standard of love, one that mirrors the unconditional and sacrificial love of God.
The statement, “Even sinners love those who love them,” shows that loving those who treat you well is common and doesn’t set believers apart from the rest of the world. Jesus is emphasizing that true Christian love involves loving even those who are difficult to love—enemies, strangers, or those who mistreat you. It’s this kind of love that reflects God’s character and distinguishes His people from the world.
The word “credit” suggests that loving only those who love you earns no special recognition in God’s eyes. What pleases God is when believers demonstrate love that is selfless and unconditional, imitating the love He has shown through Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
During Jesus’ time, relationships were often built on reciprocity and mutual benefit. People were expected to help those who helped them and to maintain social balance through acts of kindness or generosity that could be repaid. Loving others for what you could gain from the relationship was common in both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures.
The religious leaders of the day often focused on loving their fellow Jews while viewing Gentiles or enemies with suspicion or hostility. Jesus’ teaching breaks down these cultural and religious boundaries, calling His followers to show love without expecting anything in return. This teaching was radical because it redefined what it meant to live a life that honored God. Instead of limiting love to a select group, Jesus expanded it to include even those who are difficult to love.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the nature of God’s love, which is not based on human merit or reciprocation. God loves humanity not because they deserve it but because it is His nature to love (1 John 4:8). Jesus calls His followers to reflect this divine love by loving even those who do not or cannot repay them. This kind of love is at the heart of the gospel message.
Theologically, this verse also challenges believers to examine their motives. Are they showing love because they expect something in return, or are they loving others because they want to honor God? True Christian love is motivated by obedience to God and a desire to reflect His grace.
This teaching also ties into the concept of sanctification—God’s process of transforming believers to become more like Christ. Loving those who are difficult to love is one way that God shapes believers, teaching them humility, patience, and selflessness.
Literary Analysis
The structure of the verse contrasts two types of love: the natural, self-interested love that even sinners practice and the selfless, sacrificial love that Jesus calls His followers to demonstrate. The rhetorical question, “What credit is that to you?” challenges the audience to reflect on the difference between worldly love and God’s love.
The use of the term “sinners” highlights the universality of the human tendency to love those who love us. By pointing out that even those outside the faith do this, Jesus underscores the need for His followers to live by a higher standard. The contrast between worldly love and Christian love is central to the message of this verse.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 5:46-47 – “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?… And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?”
- Luke 6:35 – “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.”
- Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- 1 John 4:19 – “We love because he first loved us.”
- Proverbs 25:21-22 – “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a call to love others in a way that stands out from the world’s definition of love. In a culture that often prioritizes self-interest and transactional relationships, believers are called to love without expecting anything in return. This could mean forgiving someone who has wronged you, showing kindness to someone who doesn’t deserve it, or serving those who cannot repay you.
This verse also challenges believers to examine their motives for showing love. Are they loving others to gain approval, recognition, or personal benefit, or are they doing it out of obedience to God and a desire to reflect His grace?
Additionally, this teaching encourages believers to go beyond their comfort zones. It’s easy to love family and friends, but Jesus calls His followers to love even strangers, difficult coworkers, or people who have hurt them. This kind of love requires God’s strength and a deep understanding of His grace.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is the perfect example of what Jesus is teaching here. God doesn’t love us because we deserve it or because we can give something back to Him. He loves us even when we sin, rebel, and turn away from Him. Romans 5:8 reminds us that God demonstrated His love by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners.
By commanding His followers to love those who don’t love them back, God is inviting them to participate in His work of grace and redemption. This type of love reflects His heart and His desire for all people to experience His mercy.
God’s love is also patient and transformative. He doesn’t give up on people when they fail or reject Him, and He calls believers to show the same patience and persistence in their relationships.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the ultimate example of loving those who don’t love in return. Throughout His ministry, He showed compassion to the outcasts, healed the sick, and forgave sinners, even when they didn’t appreciate or reciprocate His love. On the cross, He demonstrated the highest form of love by praying for those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for believers to love others with the same selfless love He demonstrated. By giving them the Holy Spirit, He empowers them to love in ways that go beyond human ability. Jesus’ example shows that love is not just a feeling but a commitment to act with grace and mercy, even when it’s difficult.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there people in your life whom you find difficult to love? How can you show them love this week?
- What motivates you to show kindness to others? Is it for personal gain, or is it out of obedience to God?
- How does understanding God’s unconditional love for you help you love others who don’t treat you well?
- What are some practical ways you can love those who cannot repay you or who have wronged you?
- How can Jesus’ example of loving those who rejected Him inspire you to live out this teaching?