Matthew 5:44

“The Lord asks us to love as he does, even our enemies, to make ourselves the neighbor of those farthest away, and to love children and the poor as Christ himself.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 5:44; Lk 10:27-37; Mk 9:37; Mt 25:40, 45.

“He extends the commandment of love, which is that of the New Law, to all enemies.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 5:43-44.

“…through imitation of the perfection of the heavenly Father, through forgiveness of enemies and prayer for persecutors, in emulation of the divine generosity.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 5:44,48.

“Going further, Christ asks his disciples to turn the other cheek, to love their enemies.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 5:22-39; 5:44.

“"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:44-45.

“…Father in secret, not heaping up empty phrases, prayerful forgiveness from the depths of the heart, purity of heart, and seeking the Kingdom before all else.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 5:23-24, 44-45; 6:7, 14-15, 21, 25, 33.

“Christian prayer extends to the forgiveness of enemies,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 5:43-44.

“…be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44, 45.

“For the Word of God, who said to us, “Love your enemies, and pray for those that hate you,” Himself did this very thing upon the cross; loving the human race to such a degree, that He even prayed for those putting Him to death.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“Learn from them that a large benevolence is enjoined upon us, even so far as to supplicate God for our enemies, and to beseech blessings on our persecutors.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“But a believer ought to laugh in such cases, not to rave; nay, according to the precept, not to return a curse in the name of God even, but dearly to bless in the name of God, that you may both demolish idols and preach God, and fulfil discipline.” — editor's note: See Matt. v. 44, 1 Pet. iii. 9, etc.

“The law has found more than it has lost, while Christ says, “Love your personal enemies, and bless your cursers, and pray for your persecutors, that ye may be sons of your heavenly Father.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44, 45.

“On the other hand, for our own petition, when we say, “Hallowed be Thy name,” we pray this; that it may be hallowed in us who are in Him, as well in all others for whom the grace of God is still waiting; that we may obey this precept, too, in “praying for all,” even for our personal enemies.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“(Matt. 5:44.)” — the author cites it

“Because the Lord had said, Pray for them that persecute you, (Matt. 5:44.) this likewise He did, when He ascended the cross, as it follows, Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, not that He was not able Himself to pardon them, but that He might teach us to pray for our persecutors, not only in word, but in deed also.” — the author cites it

“Nor could it be said to them, “love your enemies,” among whom it was considered a great thing and most important if they loved their friends, but avoided their enemies and dissented from them only in hatred without being eager to oppress and kill them.” — editor's note: Ib. ver. 44.

“And while he continues in this humility of mind he will be able even to fulfil this Evangelic command of perfection: “Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that persecute you and slander you.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 44.

“And this should be shown to all men in general to such an extent that we are actually commanded by our Lord to yield it to our enemies, for He says: “Love your enemies.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 44.

“…inquisitiveness, so he admonishes those who are in good health neither to restrain that kindness which the Lord’s command bids us show to the good and evil, even if some bad men will not turn to sound doctrine; nor to desist from doing good and encouraging them both by words of consolation and by rebuke as well as…” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 43–45.

“Let them not pray for this, that their enemies may die; but rather pray for this, that they may be reclaimed; then will their enemies be dead; for from the time that they are reclaimed, henceforth they will be enemies no longer.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“Behold thou sufferest persecution, and cursest them from whom thou sufferest: how dost thou imitate the Passions of thy Lord that have gone before, hanging on the cross and saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“Where then is the, “Love your enemies, do good unto them that hate you, and pray for them that persecute you”?” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“…learning He often giveth us by means of wicked men, through whom He trieth and perfecteth our love, which He doth will to be extended even to our enemies.…Thus also they who persecuted the Martyrs, by persecuting them on earth, sent them into heaven: knowingly they caused them the loss of the present life, while…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44. [See p. 455, § 12, supra.—C.]

“For the Lord our God who sitteth in us hath said, He hath Himself commanded us to pray for our enemies, to pray for them that persecute us: and as the Church doth this, the persecutors are almost extinct.…The drunken man doth not offend himself, but he offendeth the sober man.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“Remember that among the statutes of the Lord there is none more difficult and more worthy of admiration, than that every man should love his enemies.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

““Do good to them that hate you.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“What! my brethren, how long shall we say to you, “Love your enemies”?” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“The Lord in the Gospel saith, “If ye love them that love you, what reward shall ye have? do not the publicans this?”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44–46.

“Why are we taught to pray for our enemies, who are plainly unwilling to lead a holy life, unless that God may work willingness in them?” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44

“(A Christian, indeed, is not permitted to return evil even for evil.)” — editor's note: Rom. xii. 17; Matt. v. 44

“This is to obey the command of God: “Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which persecute you.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44

““Love your enemies,” He says. ( Matt. v. 44.)” — the author cites it

“For, “pray,” it saith, “for them, that despitefully use you—that ye may be like unto your Father which is in Heaven.” ( Matt. v. 44, 45.)” — the author cites it

“That ye may become likeyour Father which is in Heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 43–45. [The briefer form of verse 44 is now accepted by critical editors (so Vulgate). The longer reading is from Luke vi. 27, 28. Comp. R.V.—R.]

“Or they pray against them that have aggrieved them, seeking for redress and vengeance; and this kind of thing is forbidden, for, “Pray,” saith He, “for your enemies.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“But the name of son of God is obtained by peace and loving one’s enemy; for, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are the sons of God. [Matt 5:9] And, Love your enemies, that ye may be the sons of God. [see Matt 5:44-45]” — the author cites it

“And make plain our Lord’s sayings in the gospel: “enter ye in at the strait gate;” and “love your enemies;” and “pray for them which persecute you.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

“Perhaps indeed they wish to fulfil the words of scripture: “love your enemies and bless them that persecute you.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44 from memory.

““Love” He says “your enemies, for if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? for the sinners and the publicans do this.”” — editor's note: cf. Matt. v. 44, 46 instead of τίνα μισθὸν ἔχετε; the text has τί πλέον ποιεῖτε

“For the Son of God says: “Love your enemies;” and again: “Pray for those that persecute you and speak against you.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 44.

“And earlier the same is written, where the Lord says that we must love our enemies, and pray for those that falsely accuse and persecute us, and bless those that curse us.” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 44.

“He had heard Him Who says: “Love your enemies, pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 44.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them which persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven, who maketh His sun to rise on the good and on the evil, and sendeth rain upon the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 43–45.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 43–48.

“Also according to Matthew: “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven, who maketh His sun to rise upon the good and the evil, and giveth rain upon the righteous and the unrighteous.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44, 45.

“…be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 44

“He will not desire us to take revenge, who teaches us “to pray for those that despitefully use us.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

““Love your enemies,” it is said, “bless them who curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you,” and the like; to which it is added, “that ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven,” in allusion to resemblance to God.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44, 45.

“For he knows that the Lord expressly enjoined “to pray for enemies.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 44.

The Lord has taught above that we must not resist one who offers any injury, but must be ready even to suffer more; He now further requires us to shew to them that do us wrong both love and its effects. And as the…

That by the command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour,” all mankind were intended, the Lord shewed in the parable of the man who was left half dead, which teaches us that our neighbour is every one who may happen at…

That there were degrees in the righteousness of the Pharisees which was under the old Law is seen herein, that many hated even those by whom they were loved. He therefore who loves his neighbour, has ascended one…

I ask the Manichaeans why they would have this peculiar to the Mosaic Law, that was said by them of old time, “thou shalt hate thy enemy?” Has not Paul said of certain men that they were hateful to God? We must…

But it should be known, that in the whole body of the Law it is no where written, Thou shalt hate thy enemy. But it is to be referred to the tradition of the Scribes, who thought good to add this to the Law, because…

As that, Thou shalt not lust, was not spoken to the flesh, but to the spirit, so in this the flesh indeed is not able to love its enemy, but the spirit is able; for the love and hate of the flesh is in the sense, but…

Love to an enemy is then observed when we are not sorrowful at his success, or rejoice in his fall. We hate him whom we wish not to be bettered, and pursue with ill-wishes the prosperity of the man in whose fall we…

They who stand against the Church oppose her in three ways; with hate, with words, and with bodily tortures. The Church on the other hand loves them, as it is here, “Love your enemies;” does good to them, as it is,…

Many measuring the commandments of God by their own weakness, not by the strength of the saints, hold these commands for impossible, and say that it is virtue enough not to hate our enemies; but to love them is a…

These indeed are examples of the perfect sons of God; yet to this should every believer aim, and seek by prayer to God, and struggles with himself to raise his human spirit to this tempter. Yet this so great blessing…

Here arises a question, that this commandment of the Lord, by which He bids us pray for our enemies, seems opposed by many other parts of Scripture. In the Prophets are found many imprecations upon enemies; such as…

And the souls of them that are slain cry out to be avenged; as the blood of Abel cried out of the ground not with a voice, but in spirit [margin note: ratione]. As the work is said to laud the workman, when he…

Note through what steps we have now ascended hither, and how He has set us on the very pinnacle of virtue. The first step is, not to begin to do wrong to any; the second, that in avenging a wrong done to us we be…

For whoso keeps the commandments of God is thereby made the son of God; he then of whom he here speaks is not by nature His son, but by his own will.

After that rule we must here understand of which John speaks, “He gave them power to be made the sons of God.” One is His Son by nature; we are made sons by the power which we have received; that is, so far as we…

Or, the sun and rain have reference to the baptism with water and Spirit.

Or we may take it of this visible sun, and of the rain by which the fruits are nourished, as the wicked mourn in the book of Wisdom, “The Sun has not risen for us.” [Wis 5:6] And of the rain it is said, “I will…

But as we laud Him for His gifts, let us also consider how He chastises those whom He loves. For not every one who spares is a friend, nor every one who chastises an enemy; it is better to love with severity, than to…

He was careful to say, “On the righteous and the unrighteous;’ for God gives all good gifts not for men’s sake, but for the saints’ sake, as likewise chastisements for the sake of sinners. In bestowing His good…

For the good man is not puffed up by worldly goods, nor broken by worldly calamity. But the bad man is punished in temporal losses, because he is corrupted by temporal gains. Or for another reason He would have good…

To love one that loves us is of nature, but to love our enemy of charity. “If ye love them who love you, what reward have ye?” to wit, in heaven. None truly, for of such it is said, “Ye have received your reward.”…

If then sinners be led by nature to shew kindness to those that love them, with how much greater shew of affection ought you not to embrace even those that do not love you? For it follows, “Do not even the publicans…

But if you only pray for them that are your kinsfolk, what more has your benevolence than that of the unbelieving? Salutation is a kind of prayer.

Ethnici, that is, the Gentiles, for the Greek word ἔθνος is translated ‘gens’ in Latin; those, that is, who abide such as they were born, to wit, under sin.

Because the utmost perfection of love cannot go beyond the love of enemies, therefore as soon as the Lord has bid us love our enemies, He proceeds, “Be ye then perfect, as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”…

For as our sons after the flesh resemble their fathers in some part of their bodily shape, so do spiritual sons resemble their father God, in holiness.

Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27 share the same wording (11 words).

Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:28 share the same wording (13 words).

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Cited together in Catechism §2608.

Cited together in Catechism §1968.

Cited together in Catechism §1968.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.

Cited together in Letters Letter 135.

Cited together in Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews III.50.

Cited together in The Enchiridion Chapter 72.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies IV.13.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies IV.13.

Cited together in The Enchiridion Chapter 32.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.48.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.48.

Cited together in Catechism §2844.

Cited together in Catechism §2844.

Cited together in Catechism §2844.

Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XVI.14.

Cited together in Jerome on Mark 3:13–19 (3) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Apology Chapter 31.

Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:43–48 (5) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.48.

Cited together in On Idolatry Chapter 21.

Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XI.9.

Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:43–48 (5) (Catena Aurea) and 1 other place.

Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XI.9.

Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XVI.14.

Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 3.

Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 3.

Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 5:43–48 (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.48.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.48.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.48.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.11.

Cited together in Against Celsus VIII.35.

Cited together in Against Celsus VIII.35.

Cited together in The Enchiridion Chapter 32.

Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.48.

Cited together in The Enchiridion Chapter 32.

Cited together in Letters Letter 135.

Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies VII.14.

Cited together in Letters Letter 135.

Cited together in Jerome on Mark 3:13–19 (3) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XI.9.

Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 3.

Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:43–48 (5) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in The Enchiridion Chapter 32.

Cited together in Conferences I–X VIII.24.

Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XVI.14.

Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:43–48 (8) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 5:43–48 (8) (Catena Aurea) and 1 other place.

Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 3.

Cited together in Conferences XI–XVII XI.9.