Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

GOLDEN RULE

A popular label applied to Jesus’ words recorded, in slightly different wording, in Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31. The popularized version of those words is, “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Remarkably similar precepts have appeared in Judaism (Tob. 4:15; b. Šabb. 31a; cf. 2 En. 61:2), Confucianism (Analects 15:23), and Greek literature (cf. Isocrates Nicocles 61; Herodotus Hist. 3.142; 7.136). Matthew places these words immediately after Jesus’ saying that even evil people know how to give good gifts to their children — and that a loving God would do so even more. Matthew also adds, “. . . for this is the law and the prophets.” This phrase reflects Jesus’ statement that he came to fulfill, not destroy, the law and the prophets (Matt. 5:17). Luke places Jesus’ “golden rule” in the context of his command to love one’s enemies. This gives the words a new dimension: we should treat not only friends and kinspeople as we want to be treated, but our enemies as well.

Joe E. Lunceford






Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)

Info Language Arrow Return to Top
Prayer Tents is a Christian mission organization that serves Christians around the world and their local bodies to make disciples ("evangelize") more effectively in their communities. Prayer Tents provides resources to enable Christians to form discipleship-focused small groups and make their gatherings known so that other "interested" people may participate and experience Christ in their midst. Our Vision is to make disciples in all nations through the local churches so that anyone seeking God can come to know Him through relationships with other Christians near them.

© Prayer Tents 2024.
Prayer Tents Facebook icon Prayer Tents Twitter icon Prayer Tents Youtube icon Prayer Tents Linkedin icon