Luke 6:32-34

6:32 “If ¹  you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners ²  love those who love them. ³  6:33 And ⁴  if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ⁵  sinners ⁶  do the same. 6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, ⁷  what credit is that to you? Even sinners ⁸  lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full. ⁹ 

[6:32]  ¹ tn Grk “And if.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. This is a first class condition, but the next two conditional clauses are third class conditions, so that stylistic variation is probably at work.

[6:32]  ² sn Here the term sinners may refer to people who had no concern for observing the details of the Mosaic law; these were often treated as social outcasts. See L&N 88.295.

[6:32]  ³ sn Jesus’ point in the statement even sinners love those who love them is that disciples are to go farther than sinners do. The examples replay vv. 29-30.

[6:33]  ⁴ tc ‡ Three key mss (Ì⁷⁵ א* B) have “for” here, but it is unlikely that it was present originally. The addition of conjunctions, especially to the beginning of a clause, are typically suspect because they fit the pattern of Koine tendencies toward greater explicitness. NA²⁷ has the word in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.

[6:33]  ⁵ tc Most mss (A D L Θ Ξ Ψ Ë¹³ 33 Ï lat) include γάρ (gar, “for”) following καί (kai, here translated “even”), but a few important mss (א B W 700 892* 1241 pc) lack the conjunction. The inclusion of the conjunction seems to be motivated by clarity and should probably be considered inauthentic.

[6:33]  ⁶ sn See the note on the word sinners in v. 32.

[6:34]  ⁷ tn Grk “to receive”; but in context the repayment of the amount lent is implied. Jesus was noting that utilitarian motives are the way of the world.

[6:34]  ⁸ sn See the note on the word sinners in v. 32.

[6:34]  ⁹ tn Grk “to receive as much again.”