What is the Golden Rule?
Introduction. The expression "Golden Rule" is not found in the Bible. However, the rule enunciated by Jesus that people call the "Golden Rule" is found: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you," Jesus said, "do ye even so to them..." (Matt. 7: 12).
What Jesus did not say. Notwithstanding the simplicity of Jesus' teaching, many have misunderstood it. "Do unto others when they do to you," some quote. Others say, "Do unto other what they do unto you." "Do unto others before they do to you," some practice. Some have understood Jesus to have said, "Do unto others so they will not do unto you" or "Do unto others that they might do unto you." Jesus said, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." There is a serious difference in what Jesus really said and in how some have understood Jesus.
Jesus' rule applied. Just think how many great changes would be made from the single individual, nations, and the entire world if all started practicing Jesus' teaching. The individual would be kind, loving, and considerate to those with whom he came into contact, because this is how he desires to be treated. Others, practicing Jesus' rule would be as they should to the practitioner. Nations and the entire world would be in perfect harmony. Crime, racism, and all human abuse would cease to exist. The world would never know war again.
Conclusion. Jesus' teaching "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" is an example of why Jesus is correctly styled as the greatest teacher of all. Jesus took all of God's laws especially pertaining to man's duty to man and extracted from them this essential rule. This is the meaning of "for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7: 12). Would not it be wonderful if all obeyed Jesus? Obedience to Jesus starts with you and me (cp. Heb. 6: 8, 9).
What Jesus did not say. Notwithstanding the simplicity of Jesus' teaching, many have misunderstood it. "Do unto others when they do to you," some quote. Others say, "Do unto other what they do unto you." "Do unto others before they do to you," some practice. Some have understood Jesus to have said, "Do unto others so they will not do unto you" or "Do unto others that they might do unto you." Jesus said, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." There is a serious difference in what Jesus really said and in how some have understood Jesus.
Jesus' rule applied. Just think how many great changes would be made from the single individual, nations, and the entire world if all started practicing Jesus' teaching. The individual would be kind, loving, and considerate to those with whom he came into contact, because this is how he desires to be treated. Others, practicing Jesus' rule would be as they should to the practitioner. Nations and the entire world would be in perfect harmony. Crime, racism, and all human abuse would cease to exist. The world would never know war again.
Conclusion. Jesus' teaching "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" is an example of why Jesus is correctly styled as the greatest teacher of all. Jesus took all of God's laws especially pertaining to man's duty to man and extracted from them this essential rule. This is the meaning of "for this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7: 12). Would not it be wonderful if all obeyed Jesus? Obedience to Jesus starts with you and me (cp. Heb. 6: 8, 9).