JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

October 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning Luke 14:26.

This verse reads: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple" (Revised Authorized Version).

At another time, Jesus charged His disciples: "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies" (Luke 6:27). He also said: "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them" (Luke 6:31-32, RAV). In other words, Jesus clearly commands us not only to love those who love us -- which should include our relatives -- but also to love our enemies who hate us.

Since the Bible does not contradict itself (John 10:35), what did Jesus mean when He said "hate" in Luke 14:26? The Greek word for "hate" in this verse is "misei." Its Greek root can mean "to love less, to postpone in love or esteem, to slight" ("Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament").

What Jesus is saying, then, is that anyone who follows Him must love Him MORE than family or relatives or even his own life. In comparison to the greater love we ought to have for Jesus Christ -- the One who died for us, our Savior and Redeemer -- the love we have for human relatives must be less. Jesus said that the second great commandment is: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matt. 22:39). But what is the first great commandment? It is: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matt. 22:37-38).

One who has such love for God and His way of life will not compromise principle. He will not put any human relationship before God.

Whenever we may assist you further with your study of the Bible, we hope you will let us know. It is a pleasure to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT