"You have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy; but I say unto you, love your enemies, and toward-good-have for those who persecute you."
There had been a time when Israel understood that they were to kill their enemy without pity: men, women, children and suckling babe. 1 Samuel 15. Nursing children were to be exterminated for what their ancestors had done almost four centuries previous. Now Jesus brings a new message and increasing light.
Part of this new message is that we are to "toward-good-have" for those who persecute us. This three part Greek word is translated with hyphens in the Etymological New Testament. Typically "prayer", this word indicates that we are to hold others (even those who hate us) in goodness or well-being. This is the concrete practice of loving one's enemies: the willingness to pray or hold them toward the good.
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