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NASB | Mark 12:31 "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 12:31 "This is the second: 'YOU SHALL [unselfishly] LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." [Lev 19:18] |
Bible Question:
What is/are the difference(s) between this 2nd greatest commandment and the new commandment (John 13:34)? Which should hold greater weight and coverage? If as according to Mark 12:31 "... there is no other commandment greater than these", why add a new commandment? Thanks and shalom Azure |
Bible Answer: Dear Sister Azure, In post #215980 I dealt with the question of the "greatest commandment." As promised -- though late -- I want to spend a moment talking about the "new commandment" (John 13:34; cf Galatians 6:2; 2 John 2:5). "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34 NASB) You will notice that our Lord Jesus is speaking to the apostles. These were those He had chosen to go about the business of building His Church (v18). Jesus was their teacher and Lord (v13). Not only did He have the authority to command them, but He would effect the means by which they could carry out that command (vv31-32). Indeed, the walking out of this love would manifestly characterize the nature of the transformation wrought by God in His own (v35). I believe that Christ calls this a "new command" by way of emphasis. Because of the Work of redemption, His redeemed were equipped and empowered to walk out love. This was to be predominant in their thinking and interaction. As my pastor put it once, "Christianity is, certainly, a set of things to be believed, but it is primarily lived out in the arena of relationship." This is why Christ gives the command in the context of His relationship to the Father and His relationship to the flock. There is a vertical component of relationship effected with us by God alone (Ephesians 2:4-7), and a horizontal relationship of His own brought together (vv13-22). The Holy Spirit expands on this subject in many places in the New Testament. This year my pastor is expositing Colossians. Think about how vv3:1-4 compare with our Lord's words in John 13:31-34. Paul continues in Colossians 3 how to flesh out this love. Look in particular at verse 13, where he says that we are to be "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you." (NASB) Our love is walked out in our congregations by our exercise of forbearance and forgiveness. We forbear with those with whom we find most difficult, contrary, and unlovable. We forgive those who have failed to forbear with us -- those they find most difficult, contrary, and unlovable. God has given us a great example, by forbearing and forgiving us. Imagine how difficult, contrary, and unlovable we must appear to a Holy God? Yet, that is the way we must live. Christ even emphasizes that such actions and attitudes reveal what God has done for us (Matthew 6:14-15). I would even go so far as to suggest that a lack of forgiveness for others, is indicative of serious spiritual problems. A lost person loves upon the condition that they are loved in the way they wish to be loved, and withhold it otherwise. We are not to so do, because God has lavished forbearance and forgiveness upon us! I can't help but think how the gospel is key to all of this. Without it, loving one another would be impossible -- for dead and estranged men cannot love. Without it, we do not understand how God has graciously dealt with us. Therefore, the more we bathe our thinking in the gospel, the more we are able to love God and love one another. (See also 1 John 2:8-10; 3:14-18) In Him, Doc |