Luke 6:32

32 If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that.

Luke 6:32 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 6:32

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye?
&c.] 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 Matthew 5:46).

Luke 6:32 In-Context

30 If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

31 "Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!

32 If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that.

33 If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that.

34 If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.