Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus doesn't just say to give, but to "give to the one who begs" and not to "refuse the one who would borrow." This emphasizes a generous spirit, not just a transaction, urging us to look beyond whether someone "deserves" it and simply respond to genuine need with an open hand.
Jesus is continuing his sermon on the mount, building on his previous points about responding to injury with non-retaliation and turning the other cheek. He's pushing his followers beyond mere outward compliance with the law to a radical inner transformation, emphasizing generosity and a selfless spirit. This teaching directly contrasts the "eye for an eye" principle he just addressed, offering a new way of relating to others that anticipates his commands about loving enemies.
Jesus challenges us to give and lend, but what's the heart behind it? Is it just handing over cash?
Jesus isn't just talking about a financial transaction here; He’s talking about a disposition. When He says, 'Give to the one who begs' and 'do not refuse the one who would borrow,' He's calling for a generous spirit.
Think about it: 'Give' implies a gift, something not expected to be returned. 'Borrow' is a bit different, but the command to 'not refuse' emphasizes a readiness to help.
The key here is the motivation. The ancient commentators point out that ordinary people lend to those they expect will pay them back. That's just common sense, or as Calvin put it, 'carnal friendship.' But Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard: disinterested beneficence. It's about looking at someone's need and responding out of love, not calculating potential return.
Does Jesus want us to be reckless with our resources? The 'give to all' idea sounds impossible in the real world.
It’s easy to read this verse and think Jesus is commanding us to give away everything we own to anyone who asks, regardless of the situation. But the Bible is filled with wisdom, not just commands for blind obedience.
While Jesus calls for an open hand and a generous heart, He doesn't endorse foolishness. The commentators wisely note that this command needs to be balanced with responsibility.
Understand the original words
aiteō · Greek Verb
To ask for something, usually out of need or dependency. It is used both for those asking for charity and for believers presenting requests to God in prayer.
apostrephō · Greek Verb
To turn away or reject a request. Biblically, it often carries the connotation of turning one's back on a person in need or turning away from divine truth.
daneizō · Greek Verb
To receive something on loan with the intent to return it. Biblical law provides specific guidelines for lending and borrowing, emphasizing mercy and the prohibition of usury among brothers.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' command, adding the crucial instruction to 'lend, expecting nothing in return,' which illuminates the selfless motivation behind giving and lending according to Jesus' teaching.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11This Old Testament passage lays the groundwork for Jesus' teaching by commanding generosity to the poor among Israelites, emphasizing that there should be no poverty among them because of God's blessing, and directly stating 'do not harden your heart or close your hand against your poor brother, but open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need.'
1 Timothy 5:8This verse provides a practical limitation to Jesus' command, highlighting that while generosity is key, believers must also prioritize the needs of their own household, showing that radical generosity needs wise stewardship.
2 Thessalonians 3:10This passage offers another important qualifier, stating 'if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat,' which, when paired with Matthew 5:42, helps us understand that while we are to be generous, it's not meant to enable idleness but to meet genuine need.
Hebrews 13:2This verse encourages believers to 'show love to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown love to angels without knowing it,' reminding us that hospitality and generosity extend beyond our immediate circle and can have profound, unseen impacts.
vincentMatthew 5:42: "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."
Borrow (δανίσασθαι)Properly, to borrow at interest.
calvinMatthew 5:42: "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."
- If you shall lend to those from whom you hope that you will receive, what kindness will it be in you? for sinners also lend to sinners, that they may receive the like. 35. Lend ye, expecting nothing again, and your reward shall be great.
Matthew 5:42. Give to him that asketh of thee. Though the words of Christ, which are related by Matthew, appear to command us to give to all without di…
Jesus doesn't just say to give, but to "give to the one who begs" and not to "refuse the one who would borrow." This emphasizes a generous spirit, not just a transaction, urging us to look beyond whether someone "deserves" it and simply respond to genuine need with an open hand.
Jesus is continuing his sermon on the mount, building on his previous points about responding to injury with non-retaliation and turning the other cheek. He's pushing his followers beyond mere outward compliance with the law to a radical inner transformation, emphasizing generosity and a selfless spirit. This teaching directly contrasts the "eye for an eye" principle he just addressed, offering a new way of relating to others that anticipates his commands about loving enemies.
Jesus is continuing his sermon on the mount, building on his previous points about responding to injury with non-retaliation and turning the other cheek. He's pushing his followers beyond mere outward compliance with the law to a radical inner transformation, emphasizing generosity and a selfless spirit. This teaching directly contrasts the "eye for an eye" principle he just addressed, offering a new way of relating to others that anticipates his commands about loving enemies.
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"Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you." — Jesus doesn't just say to give, but to "give to the one who begs" and not to "refuse the one who would borrow." This emphasizes a generous spirit, not just a transaction, urging us to look beyond whe…
