The Love of Our Neighbour
Bp. Butler. 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… I. THE OBJECT OF THE AFFECTION. Love of our neighbour, or benevolence, seeks the good of others, and in its noblest form is the perfection of God. II. ITS PROPER EXTENT. "As ourselves." This implies — 1. That it is to be of the same kind. We have a common interest in others and in ourselves. 2. That it is to bear a certain proportion to our love for ourselves. What this proportion is to be is not easily decided, for affection is not easily measured; but as to actions, the expression of affection, the more others occupy our thoughts the better, provided we neglect not ourselves. 3. That it is to equal our love for ourselves, No ill consequences can ensue from this, 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 interest, so that there is no fear of self neglect. III. ITS INFLUENCE ON OUR GENERAL TEMPER. 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. WHAT IT INCLUDES — all virtue. It prompts men — 1. To seek the greatest happiness of all, which is itself a discharge of all our obligations. 2. To the practice of all personal virtues — temperance, etc., and certainly a neglect of these virtues implies a deficiency of love to others. (Bp. Butler.) Parallel Verses KJV: For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. WEB: For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."