Luke 6:32

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 6:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them.
Luke 6:32 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? etc.] Or, “what grace have ye?” this is no fruit, nor evidence of grace, nor any exercise of the true grace of love; nor is it any favour conferred upon the object loved, which deserves the respect shown, nor can any reward be expected for such treatment: and thus it is expressed in Matthew, “what reward have ye?” and the Arabic version renders it so here: for sinners also love those who love them: men that are destitute of the grace of God, profligate sinners, even the worst of them, such as publicans, do this; (See Gill on “<400546>Matthew 5:46”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage fully illustrated in the sermon on the mount, in Matt. 5–7. Luke 6:21 That hunger now - Matthew has it, “that hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Matthew has expressed more fully what Luke has briefly, but there is no contradiction. Luke 6:24-26 These verses have been omitted by Matthew. They seem to have been spoken to the Pharisees. Who are rich - In this world’s goods. They loved them; they had sought for them; they found their consolation in them. It implies, farther, that they would not seek or receive consolation from the gospel. They were proud, and would not seek it; satisfied, and did not desire it; filled with cares, and had no time or disposition to attend to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is greatly observable, our Lord has so little regard for one of the highest instances of natural virtue, namely, the returning love for love, that he does not account it even to deserve thanks. For even sinners, saith he, do the same: men who do not regard God at all. Therefore he may do this, who has not taken one step in Christianity. Luke 6:37”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“if: Mat 5:46, Mat 5:47 what: Pe1 2:19, Pe1 2:20 Luke 6:34”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification