Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I. THE OBJECT OF THIS AFFECTION. Love of our neighbour or benevolence seeks the good of others, and in its noblest form it is the perfection of God. II. THE PROPER EXTENT OF THIS AFFECTION. As ourselves: which implies — 1. That this love is to be of the same kind. (1) We have a common interest in others and in ourselves. (2) This is the proper temper of virtue; love. 2. That our love for others is to bear a certain proportion to our love for ourselves. (1) A proportion in affections implied in all virtuous characters. (2) So a due proportion of benevolence and self-love is implied here. (3) What the proportion is to be not easily decided, for affection is not easily measured; but as to actions, the expression of affection, the more others occupy our thoughts (provided we neglect not ourselves) the better. Even if this imply — 3. That our love for others is equal to our love for ourselves, no ill consequences can ensue, for(1) men have other affections for themselves not felt for others. (2) They are specially interested in themselves. (3) They have a particular perception of their own interests, so that there is no fear of self-neglect. III. THE INFLUENCE OF THIS AFFECTION ON OUR GENERAL TEMPER. Its effect is — 1. To produce all charitableness. 2. To fit men for every relation and duty. 3. To moderate party feeling. 4. To prevent; or heal all strife. IV. THIS AFFECTION INCLUDES ALL VIRTUE. 1. Love prompts men to seek the greatest happiness of all, which is itself a discharge of all obligations. 2. Love even prompts to the practice of personal virtues (temperance, etc.); and certainly the neglect of these virtues implies a deficiency of love to others. 3. Apart from particular natures and circumstances, love includes all goodness; and — 4. Piety itself is the love of God, as an infinitely good Being. (Bishop Butler.) Parallel Verses KJV: For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.WEB: For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." |
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