Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies

Spoken to
audience

Jesus begins teaching in the plain of Judea, attracting people from all over wanting to be healed.

KJV

Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

NIV

Luke 6:27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

LISTENERS HEARD

Instead, to you , those listening, I say care for those hated of yours, do good for those hating you.

MY TAKE

If we don't want to be hated, we cannot be hating.

GREEK ORDER

Ἀλλὰ       ὑμῖν λέγω τοῖς ἀκούουσιν, ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς  ἐχθροὺς   ὑμῶνκαλῶς ποιεῖτε    τοῖς     μισοῦσιν ὑμᾶς,
Instead, to you I say those listening   care fo r those hated    of yours, good  do        for those hating     you.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.

The word translated as "enemies" means "hated." The word "those hated of yours" in the first part are balances against the "those hating you" as the punchline.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
8

But(CW) I say unto you which(WW) hear(WF), Love(CW) your (MWthe) enemies, do good to them(WW) which(IW) hate(WF) you,

  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but" and works differently.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "which" should be something more like "those."
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "hear" is not an active verb but a participle, "hearing."
  • CW - Confusing Word - This is one of two different verbs with different meanings translated as "love" so the translation confuses them.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "enemies" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "them" should be something more like "those."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "which"  doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "hate" is not an active verb but a participle, "hating."
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
7

But to you who(WW) are(IW) listening I say: Love(CW) your (MWthe) enemies, do good to those who(IW) hate(WF) you,

  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but" and works differently.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "who" should be something more like "those."
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "are"  doesn't exist in the source.
  • CW - Confusing Word - This is one of two different verbs with different meanings translated as "love" so the translation confuses them.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "enemies" is not shown in the English translation.
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who"  doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  The "hate" is not an active verb but a participle, "hating."
EACH WORD of KJV

But -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this." However, followed by the negative used, its sense is "still" or "at least."

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

say  -- The word translated as "I say" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."  When two accusative objects are used, the sense is  "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."  It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."

 unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "yours."

which  -- (WW) The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." Before an adjective, participle, or infinitive it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

hear, - -- (WF) "Hear" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear," "to hear of," and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding.   It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from.  However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person.This word is a participle, not an active verb.

"Love -- (CW) The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.

your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

enemies, - -- The word translated as "enemies" primarily means "hated," "hater,"  "hateful," and "hating." It is an adjective used as a noun. The use of this word is very specific in Greek literature. It describes one who was a friend, but who has been alienated and refuses to be reconciled. It is from a rare Greek word meaning "hate," but it is not from the Greek word that Jesus uses for hate. It is usually translated as "enemy" in the KJV.  However, from Jesus's point of view "the enemy" seems to be "hating" others.

do -- The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action.  In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly.

good -- The word translated as "good means "good," "beautiful," "noble," or "of good quality."    It is most often translated as "good" juxtaposed with "evil" in the New Testament, but the two ideas are closer to "wonderful" and "worthless," "noble" and "base."  See this article on the Greek words translated as "good." -- As an adverb,the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly,"  "happily,"  "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly." 

to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

them   -- (WW) The word translated as "them" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

which  -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "which" in the Greek sourceIW - Inserted Word -- The word "which"  doesn't exist in the source.

hate -- (WF) "Hate" is a Greek verb meaning "to hate." The word is not primarily an emotion as it is in English. Instead, it is a negative state, not being devoted to someone and not liking them. See this article on Greek concepts of love for more information. This word is a participle, not an active verb.

you, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.

EACH WORD of NIV

But -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this." However, followed by the negative used, its sense is "still" or "at least."

to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc. As the object of a preposition, this form implies no movement, but in a fixed position or events occur at a specified time or while the action was being performed. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "yours."

who-- (WW) The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." Before an adjective, participle, or infinitive it changes the following word to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

are -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "are" in the Greek source

listening, - -- "Listening" is from a Greek verb that means "to hear," "to hear of," and "to listen." It has the same sense as the English not only of listening but of understanding.   It also means "to listen" and "to understand," but amusingly, it also means "to be silent." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from.  However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person. This word is a participle, not an active verb.

I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.

say  -- The word translated as "I say" is the most common word that means "to say," "to tell," and "to speak,"  but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of."  When two accusative objects are used, the sense is  "say of him this," or "call him this." The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell."  It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself."

"Love -- (CW) The word translated as "love" expresses a lot of different ideas including "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," and "to be contented with." Jesus however, applies it to relationships where we have a duty to care for others: family, God, etc. Another word, also translated as "love," is used to for relationships of affectionate friendship that are more voluntary. To distinguish this word, translating it as "cares for" seems to work best. See this article on love for more information.

your -- The word translated as "your" is a plural, second-person pronoun in the genitive case. This pronoun follows the noun so the possessive "of yours."

missing "the/this"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more. 

enemies, - -- The word translated as "enemies" primarily means "hated," "hater,"  "hateful," and "hating." It is an adjective used as a noun. The use of this word is very specific in Greek literature. It describes one who was a friend, but who has been alienated and refuses to be reconciled. It is from a rare Greek word meaning "hate," but it is not from the Greek word that Jesus uses for hate. It is usually translated as "enemy" in the KJV.  However, from Jesus's point of view "the enemy" seems to be "hating" others.

do -- The Greek word translated as "to do" has the primary meaning of "making" or producing" something or "causing" or "performing" as service. When it means It describes a productive action.  In English, "do" is also frequently a helper verb. This Greek word is not used as broadly.

good -- The word translated as "good means "good," "beautiful," "noble," or "of good quality."    It is most often translated as "good" juxtaposed with "evil" in the New Testament, but the two ideas are closer to "wonderful" and "worthless," "noble" and "base."  See this article on the Greek words translated as "good." -- As an adverb,the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly,"  "happily,"  "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly." 

to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object. However, the translator can choose other prepositions: "with,"  "in,"   "of,"  "as," "by," "for," "at," or "on" depending on the context.

those --  The word translated as "them" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun. Without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

who -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "which" in the Greek source

hate -- (WF) "Hate" is a Greek verb meaning "to hate." The word is not primarily an emotion as it is in English. Instead, it is a negative state, not being devoted to someone and not liking them. See this article on Greek concepts of love for more information. This word is a participle, not an active verb.

you, -- The "you" here is the second-person, plural pronoun in the form of an object of the action or preposition. As the object of a preposition, an accusative object indicates movement towards something or a position reached as a result of that movement.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

Ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay." Followed by οὐ, the sense is "still," and "at least." Followed by γὰρ. the sense is "but really" and "certainly."  Following an εἰ μὴ, clause the sense is "if not" some word , related to time, "at least still," and without the reference time, "at least"  

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you."

λέγω [264 verses](verb 1st sg pres ind act) "Say" is lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." When used with an object is has the sense of "call by name."  It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep." This word is more about making a statement than participating in a discussion. Translating is as "stated" might distinguish it better. 

τοῖς [821 verses](article sg masc nom)  "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article

ἀκούουσιν[95 verses](part pl pres act neut dat) "Hear" is akouo,  which means "hear of," "hear tell of," "what one actually hears," "know by hearsay," "listen to," "give ear to," "hear and understand," and "understand." The accusative object is the person/thing heard about, while the genitive is the person/thing heard from.  However, two genitives can be used with the sense of "hear of a thing from a person." - -

ἀγαπᾶτε [32 verses](verb 2nd pl pres imperat) "Love" is agapao, which means "to be fond of," "to greet with affection," "to persuade," "to caress," "to prize," "to desire," "to be pleased with," and "to be contended with."  This love is more associated with affection in relationships where we are obligated.

τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.   -

ἐχθροὺς [12 verses] (adj pl masc acc) "Enemies" is echthros, which means "the hated," "the hateful," "the hostile," "the enemy," "the alienated," and "the hating." -

ὑμῶν [168 verses](pron 2nd pl gen) "Your/you" is humon, the plural possessive form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." It is either a possessive pronoun or the object of a preposition.

καλῶς [48 verses](adj pl masc acc) "Good" is kalos, which means "beautiful," "good," "of fine quality," "noble," and "honorable." Referring to parts of the body, "fair" and "shapely."As an adverb, kalos, the word translated as "well" means, "well," "rightly,"  "happily,"  "thoroughly," "altogether," and "deservedly."  The comparative form, "better" is κάλλιον (kallion), which only appears once in the NT (Act 25:10).

ποιεῖτε [168 verses](verb 2nd pl pres imperat act) "Do" is poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to perform," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do." The accusative object is what is made. Double accusative is to do something to someone. When it has a genitive object, it means "made from." When it doesn't have an object, the verb is translated as  "perform" or simply "do." When used with an accusative infinitive, it means to "cause" or "bring about." A dative object means "made with."  With the preposition "into" (eis) it means "made into."

τοῖς [821 verses](article pl masc dat)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").  When not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative. See this article.

μισοῦσιν [20 verses](part pl pres act masc dat) "Hate" is miseo, which means "to hate" and in passive, "to be hated."

ὑμᾶς [210 verses](pron 2nd pl acc)"You" is humas which is the plural objective form of the second-person pronoun, "you."

Wordplay

The word translated as "enemies" means "hated." The word "those hated of yours" in the first part are balances against the "those hating you" as the punchline.

parallel comparison

The version in Matthew is much simplier, missing the wordplay at the end. This is likely a later form.

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