The concept of "neighbor" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the teachings of love, compassion, and community. The term is often used to describe those who live nearby, but its biblical application extends to a broader understanding of human relationships and moral obligations.

Old Testament References:

1. Leviticus 19:18 · "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This commandment is foundational, emphasizing the importance of love and forgiveness within the community of Israel.

2. Exodus 20:16-17 · The Ten Commandments include directives concerning one's neighbor: "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor" and "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house... or anything that belongs to your neighbor." These commandments highlight the respect and integrity expected in relationships with others.

3. Proverbs 3:28-29 · "Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back tomorrow and I will give it to you'—when you already have it with you. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you." These verses underscore the importance of generosity and trustworthiness.

New Testament References:

1. Matthew 22:37-39 · Jesus reiterates the commandment from Leviticus, stating, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Here, loving one's neighbor is elevated to a central tenet of Christian ethics.

2. Luke 10:29-37 · The Parable of the Good Samaritan expands the definition of "neighbor" beyond ethnic and religious boundaries. Jesus illustrates that a neighbor is anyone in need, and true neighborliness is demonstrated through acts of mercy and compassion.

3. Romans 13:9-10 · The Apostle Paul writes, "The commandments... are summed up in this one decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Paul emphasizes that love is the essence of the law and the guiding principle in relationships.

4. James 2:8 · "If you really keep the royal law stated in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well." James affirms the centrality of this commandment in the life of a believer, calling it the "royal law."

Theological Implications:

The biblical concept of a neighbor challenges believers to transcend cultural, social, and personal barriers. It calls for an active expression of love that mirrors God's love for humanity. The scriptures consistently teach that loving one's neighbor is not merely a passive feeling but an active duty that reflects one's relationship with God. This love is characterized by kindness, justice, and a commitment to the well-being of others, embodying the heart of biblical morality and community life.Exodus 20:16
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
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Exodus 23:4,5
If you meet your enemy's ox or his ass going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.
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Leviticus 6:2-5
If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie to his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or has deceived his neighbor;
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Leviticus 19:13,16-18
You shall not defraud your neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with you all night until the morning.
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Deuteronomy 22:1-4
You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide yourself from them: you shall in any case bring them again to your brother.
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Psalm 15:1-3
Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle? who shall dwell in your holy hill?
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Proverbs 3:28,29
Say not to your neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when you have it by you.
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Isaiah 58:6-14
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
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Jeremiah 22:13
Woe to him that builds his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that uses his neighbor's service without wages, and gives him not for his work;
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Zechariah 8:16,17
These are the things that you shall do; Speak you every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
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Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
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Matthew 19:19
Honor your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
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Matthew 22:39
And the second is like to it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
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Matthew 25:34-46
Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
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Mark 12:31
And the second is like, namely this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
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Luke 10:25-37
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
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Romans 13:9,10
For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
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Romans 15:2
Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.
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Galatians 5:14
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
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Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.
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Hebrews 13:3
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
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James 2:8,9
If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well:
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Whether the Third Precept of the Decalogue, Concerning the ...
... to God: and just as the Divine scriptures teach the ... that it should be placed among
the general precepts of ... both for himself and for his neighbor, chiefly in ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the third precept of.htm

Love Worketh no Ill to his Neighbor; Therefore Love is the ...
... implies and includes all that the whole scriptures, the law ... only exercises of his
love to the general happiness of ... if he thinks he loves his neighbor as himself ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/love worketh no ill to.htm

Introduction
... congregation, but for the Christian layman in general. ... cheerful liberality for the
benefit of the neighbor. ... of the New Testament Scriptures concerning the way ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/introduction.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... and for the good of our neighbor (Matthew 5 ... Augustine has much disputed from the
Scriptures against the ... We do not disapprove general or oecumenical councils if ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

the life of constantine
... of the Edict, that No One should trouble his Neighbor. ... in the Palace, and his Reading
the Holy Scriptures. Chapter XVIII.--He enjoins the General Observance of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/the life of constantine/

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... head of a family, a father, a neighbor, a friend ... and called upon him to translate
the general rules of ... Question What is your mind concerning John Wesley, and ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

John Chapter iv. 18-Jan
... Lord, in those significant tokens of the Scriptures, feed us ... world, that is, by fasting
in the general sense. ... Do thou walk, bearing thy neighbor: if thou hast ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xvii john chapter iv.htm

Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity the Christian Calling and Unity.
... part of Paul's admonition concerning the general life of ... But Paul"in fact, the entire
Scriptures"teaches no ... who is thereby influenced to love his neighbor? ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/seventeenth sunday after trinity the.htm

Of the Holy Spirit and the Mystery of the Trinity.
... by many proofs drawn from the Scriptures; among which ... of the principle that, in general,
the connection ... mind;" [1633] but also toward our neighbor, for "thou ...
/.../augustine/a treatise on faith and the creed /chapter 9 of the holy spirit.htm

What did Moses Write?
... modern Hebrew Bibles give them the general title, "Quinque ... it was said, Thou shalt
love thy neighbor and hate ... not an injunction to search the Scriptures; it is ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter ii what did moses.htm

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about self-love, loving self? | GotQuestions.org

Why is "You shall not give false testimony" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.org

Neighbor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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