Luke 5:42 

The Nuance of Giving 

"Give to the one who asks of you, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away," 

The verse often presents a profound challenge regarding its interpretation and application within Christian theological frameworks. Initially, one might assume such a command from Jesus would be rigidly accepted as absolute and indisputable fact. However, this verse is rarely understood as a literal, unyielding directive in most major Christian traditions. Instead, it forms part of Jesus' radical ethical teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, requiring a nuanced understanding that balances the command with wisdom, discernment, and other scriptural principles. 

This article explores the theological consensus surrounding Matthew 5:42, dissecting the arguments for a non-literal interpretation and addressing criticisms of this approach, while integrating the dual aspect of the command: giving and lending.

The Argument for a Non-Literal Interpretation

The core of the theological argument against a rigid, literal interpretation of Matthew 5:42 stems from the need for scriptural coherence and an understanding of Jesus’ teaching methods. The verse is part of a larger section in Matthew (5:38-48) that includes other profound, and often hyperbolic, statements such as "turn the other cheek" and "giving one's cloak as well as tunic". These are generally seen by theologians as deliberate exaggerations intended to convey a deeper spiritual principle—a call to radical, selfless love that transcends natural human inclinations toward retaliation or selfishness. The primary aim is to cultivate a generous, transformed disposition, not to establish an inflexible, universally applicable legalistic rule that overrides all other duties.

Theological interpretation maintains that the command "Give to the one who asks of you" and the subsequent instruction "and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away" must be harmonized with the rest of God's revealed will. A straightforward, unqualified application of both the giving and the lending aspects could lead to irreconcilable conflict with other clear moral and ethical teachings found throughout the Bible.

For example, the Bible mandates providing for one's own family (1 Timothy 5:8), a responsibility that could be directly jeopardized by indiscriminate giving or lending that depletes necessary resources. Indiscriminate giving or lending without regard to consequences might not always constitute a genuine act of love. 

The Greek word used for "asks" in Matthew 5:42 is (aitéō), meaning "to ask" or "to request," rather than specifically "to beg." This expanded understanding of the first clause further highlights the necessity of discernment. If every request, regardless of its nature or potential outcome, must be granted, then one could be compelled to facilitate harm. The question, "If a person asks for a weapon to commit violence, must one give it?" is intentionally used in theological debate to illustrate the logical failure of a strictly literal, unqualified interpretation. 

This hypothetical scenario serves as a reductio ad absurdum, demonstrating that a literal adherence to the command would lead to morally abhorrent conclusions that directly violate the foundational biblical principle of loving your neighbor and doing no harm. The example proves that an unqualified command, by its very nature, demands to be tempered by a higher, absolute moral duty—the duty to avoid facilitating evil.

Addressing the "Palatability" Critique and Applying Discernment

The counter-argument often arises that this non-literal interpretation is merely an attempt to make Jesus' radical command "palatable for self-interested people," effectively watering down a demanding ethical standard.

Jesus explicitly stated that He came "not to abolish [the Law and the Prophets] but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). The Law, along with wisdom literature, contains numerous commands requiring prudence, discernment, and the prioritization of various duties. The expectation is that believers, empowered by a transformed heart and the Holy Spirit, will apply Jesus' radical principles with the wisdom necessary to fulfill all of God's commands simultaneously. To love God and neighbor, the essence of the Great Commandment, requires seeking the genuine welfare of others. 

How Discernment Applies to Helpful Giving and Lending

The failure of absolute literalism demonstrated by the harmful request (the weapon example) does not lead to a wholesale abandonment of the command to give or lend helpful things. Instead, the framework maintains that the same principle of discernment must be applied to requests for basic necessities and loans. The command is interpreted as an absolute mandate to cultivate a posture of radical generosity that always addresses genuine need when appropriate or affordable.

Applying the principle of discernment (wisdom and balance with other duties) to requests for genuinely helpful things leads to qualifications on how and how much one gives and lends, but not on whether one should maintain a generous disposition.

Stewardship and Family Duty: You do not have to give all your money to one beggar, or lend away your children's college fund, as that would violate your duty of stewardship and the clear command to provide for your own household (1 Timothy 5:8). The balance is found in giving and lending generously and sacrificially without neglecting primary responsibilities. The "turn not away" clause regarding borrowing emphasizes the willingness to help facilitate stability for others, but this willingness must be exercised within the bounds of responsible stewardship over the resources God has entrusted to the believer.

If the request is from a homeless person asking for money and you have some disposable income in your pocket, give it to them. Do not give them your grocery money, your rent/mortgage money, funds to buy football cleats for your son, and so on. 

If the extra is available then follow the command. You never know if the person is an angel sent by God to test you. Maybe that scenario is a stretch but reading of Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Berean Standard Bible)

Conclusion

The theological interpretation of Matthew 5:42 acknowledges that a rigid, literal application is not feasible due to the potential for conflict with other fundamental biblical principles. The example of giving a weapon to someone who asks for it clearly demonstrates that an unqualified literal interpretation cannot stand. However, this failure of absolute literalism does not negate the fundamental command to give and lend. Instead, it leads to a nuanced understanding where discernment, rooted in love and wisdom, guides the application of the command.

This framework draws a crucial distinction between harmful and helpful requests. Requests that inherently lead to destruction are to be refused, not out of selfishness, but from a higher moral duty to prevent harm. Conversely, requests for basic necessities or legitimate loans are affirmed as being within the spirit of the command. The command "Give to the one who asks of you, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away" is thus interpreted as an absolute mandate to cultivate a posture of radical generosity that always addresses genuine need when appropriate and affordable, never refuses aid out of selfishness, and only refuses when granting the request would cause harm or violate a clearer, more established moral duty. Therefore, while the failure of absolute literalism prevents unqualified giving and lending, it transforms Matthew 5:42 into a fundamental, absolute principle of sacrificial generosity, to be applied with divine wisdom and love in the complex tapestry of all other scriptural duties.