HC 107

Q107. Is it enough, then, that we do not kill our neighbour in any such way?

No. When God condemns envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves, to show patience, peace, gentleness, mercy, and friendliness toward him, to protect him from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.

Proof texts

• Matt. 7:12 — [12] “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
• Matt. 22:39 — [39] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
• Rom. 12:10 — [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
• Matt. 5:5 — [5] “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
• Luke 6:36 — [36] Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
• Rom. 12:10 — [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
• Rom. 12:18 — [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
• Gal. 6:1-2 — [1] Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. [2] Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
• Eph. 4:2 — [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
• Col. 3:12 — [12] Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
• 1 Pet. 3:8 — [8] Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
• Ex. 23:4-5 — [4] “If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. [5] If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.
• Matt. 5:44-45 — [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
• Rom. 12:20 — [20] To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Matt. 7:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 14 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q45 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q39 · WSC Q45 · WLC Q91 · WLC Q100 · WCF 19.1 · 1689 19.1