Lesson 65: Leviticus 19:18
The Blueprint — The Verse
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Memorization Practice
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King James Version (KJV) — Public Domain.
The Context — The History
Leviticus shaped Israel's holiness code for life in community after the exodus. JesusJesus of Nazareth, also called the Christ or the Messiah, is the central figure of the New Testament and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Born in the line of David, He taught with divine authority, performed miracles, and revealed the kingdom of God. More and PaulPaul is the apostle who carried the message of Jesus into the Gentile world, transforming early Christianity through his missionary journeys, his letters, and his profound teaching on grace, faith, and the New Covenant. More later treated this verse as summary ethics alongside love for God, showing its enduring weight.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Chapter 19 mixes ritual and moral commands—fair scales, care for the poor, and honest speech. Loving the neighbor as oneself caps a section on social righteousnessRighteousness is the state of being aligned with God’s character, will, and moral order. In Scripture, righteousness is both a standard and a relationship — living in harmony with God’s truth and receiving the right standing He provides through grace. It reflects integrity, justice, and faithful obedience shaped by God rather than human merit. More grounded in God's own holiness.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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“‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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“‘You shall keep my statutes. “‘You shall not cross-breed different kinds of animals. “‘You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed; “‘Don’t wear a garment made of two kinds of material.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
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Who is your 'neighbor' in this command?
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What practices help you release grudges?
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How does loving yourself rightly enable loving others?
Places — Map this passage
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