Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8400 The tasks of the believer  »  8452 neighbours, duty to

Scripture defines the identity of neighbours in various ways, and indicates the nature and extent of believers' obligations to them.

Neighbours defined

Those who live nearby

Proverbs 3:29 See also Exodus 3:22; Exodus 12:4; Deuteronomy 19:14; 2 Kings 4:3; Proverbs 27:10; Luke 15:4-6

Those of the same race

Leviticus 19:18 See also 1 Samuel 15:27-28; Samuel 28:17; 1 Chronicles 12:38-40

Peoples of surrounding nations

Deuteronomy 1:7 See also Joshua 9:16; 1 Samuel 7:14; Ezra 9:1; Nehemiah 9:30; Nehemiah 10:28,31; Psalm 76:11; Ezekiel 16:26

Those who show mercy to people in need

Luke 10:29-37

Fellow Christians

Ephesians 4:25 See also Romans 15:1-2; Galatians 5:13-16; James 4:11-12

Duties to neighbours

Love

Matthew 22:34-39 pp Mark 12:28-34 pp Luke 10:25-28 See also Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 19:19; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8-9

Assistance

Exodus 23:4-5 See also Deuteronomy 22:1-4; Proverbs 14:21; Matthew 25:34-40

Fair treatment

Exodus 22:14 See also Exodus 20:17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 5:21

Honest dealings

Leviticus 19:13 See also Zechariah 8:16-17; Ephesians 4:25

Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32 See also Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 17:3-4; Romans 15:1-2; Colossians 3:13

Reproof

Leviticus 19:17 See also Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1-2

Prohibition of negative actions towards neighbours

False witness

Exodus 20:16 pp Deuteronomy 5:20 See also Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 24:28

Oppression

Jeremiah 22:13 See also Proverbs 3:28

Judgment

James 4:12 See also Matthew 7:1-2; Luke 6:41-42; Romans 14:13

See also

2363  Christ, preaching & teaching
5051  responsibility
5867  golden rule