Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Give to him that asketh thee—The sense of unreasonable asking is here implied (compare Luke 6:30).
and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away—Though the word signifies classically "to have money lent to one on security," or "with interest," yet as this was not the original sense of the word, and as usury was forbidden among the Jews (Exodus 22:25, etc.), it is doubtless simple borrowing which our Lord here means, as indeed the whole strain of the exhortation implies. This shows that such counsels as "Owe no man anything" (Romans 13:8), are not to be taken absolutely; else the Scripture commendations of the righteous for "lending" to his necessitous brother (Psalms 37:36; Psalms 112:5; Luke 6:37) would have no application.
turn not thou away—a graphic expression of unfeeling refusal to relieve a brother in extremity.
Same Subject—Love to Enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Matthew 5:42:
Exodus 21:23-25
Matthew 3:10
Matthew 5:37
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