Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Ver. 12. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would, &c.] q.d. To wind up all in a word (for it would be too tedious to set down each particular duty), let this serve for a general rule of direction in common conversation, and mutual interdealings one with another: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." This is the royal law, the standard of all equity in this kind, a sealed weight and rule, according to which we must converse with all men. Severus the emperor had this sentence of our Saviour often in his mouth; and commanded it to be proclaimed by the crier, whensoever he punished such of his soldiers as had offered injury to others. For there is no doubt (saith Mr Calvin upon this text) but that perfect right should rule among us, were we but as faithful disciples of active charity (if we may so speak) as we are acute doctors of passive charity did we but love our neighbour as ourself. Charity (it is true) begins at home in regard of order, but not in regard of time; for so soon as thou beginnest to love thyself, thou must love thy neighbour as thyself; neither may any man at any time hide his eyes from his own flesh, that is, from his neighbour of the same stock with himself, Isaiah 58:3 .
For this is the law and the prophets] i.e. This is as much as either of them have said touching love to our neighbour. Yea, this is the sum of all that Christ and the apostles have spoken of it; for love (that seeketh not her own things, 1Co 13:5) is both the complement of the law and the supplement of the gospel, Romans 13:8; Romans 13:10 Galatians 5:14; John 15:12; Matthew 7:14, Christ maketh love to our brethren the same with keeping the commandments. So Acts 15:20. St James in that sacred synod gives this suffrage, to lay upon the believing Gentiles no greater burden than these necessary things; "that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood;" and in certain ancient manuscripts, as also by Irenaeus and Cyprian, it is added, And what thing soever ye would not that others should do to you, that ye do not the same to them. a Timothy naturally cared for the Philippians (γνησιως), which was rare, Philippians 2:20; Philippians 2:22. So should all Christians one for another, Galatians 5:13; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Romans 15:1,2. Self-lovers begin the black bead role,2 Timothy 3:2 .
a Και οσα μη Θελωσιν αυτοις γινεσθαι, ετεροις μη πονειν. Beza.