The Meaning of Matthew 5:46 Explained

Matthew 5:46

KJV: For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

YLT: 'For, if ye may love those loving you, what reward have ye? do not also the tax-gatherers the same?

Darby: For if ye should love those who love you, what reward have ye? Do not also the tax-gatherers the same?

ASV: For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  if  ye love  them which  love  you,  what  reward  have ye?  do  not  even  the publicans  the same? 

What does Matthew 5:46 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 5:38-48 - Brotherly Relationship
In mentioning the second mile, our Lord refers to a well-known Eastern custom of forwarding messages by relays of forced labor. We leave our homes on a given morning, anticipating no evil. Suddenly and unexpectedly there are sounds of horses' hoofs and a great demand is thrust upon us. We are sent off in a direction we never contemplated and are compelled to go one mile. It is the second that tests character; and your actions with respect to it will determine whether you have entered into the spirit of Christ and are willing to serve others for love's sake and at cost of peril and inconvenience to yourself.
Love to one's neighbor appears in many passages in the Old Testament. See Exodus 23:4-5. But we have to love enemies and resemble God's sun and rain, Matthew 5:45. You say that it is impossible! Remember those sweet old words: "I taught Ephraim to go," Hosea 11:1-4. Ask your Heavenly Father to teach you to love. Remember Galatians 5:22. Dare to believe that He will perfect what concerneth you. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 5

1  Jesus' sermon on the mount:
3  The Beattitudes;
13  the salt of the earth;
14  the light of the world
17  He came to fulfill the law
21  What it is to kill;
27  to commit adultery;
33  to swear
38  He exhorts to forgive wrong,
43  to love our enemies;
48  and to labor after perfection

What do the individual words in Matthew 5:46 mean?

If for you love those loving you what reward have you Do not also the tax collectors the same do
ἐὰν γὰρ ἀγαπήσητε τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας ὑμᾶς τίνα μισθὸν ἔχετε οὐχὶ καὶ οἱ τελῶναι τὸ αὐτὸ ποιοῦσιν

ἀγαπήσητε  you  love 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀγαπάω  
Sense: of persons.
τοὺς  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀγαπῶντας  loving 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀγαπάω  
Sense: of persons.
μισθὸν  reward 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: μισθός  
Sense: dues paid for work.
ἔχετε  have  you 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
οὐχὶ  Do  not 
Parse: IntPrtcl
Root: οὐχί  
Sense: not, by no means, not at all.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
τελῶναι  tax  collectors 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: τελώνης  
Sense: a renter or farmer of taxes.
αὐτὸ  same 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.