The Golden Rule is one of the most well-known biblical principles. It comes from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:12, where he says “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” The essence of the Golden Rule is to treat others the way you would want to be treated. It encourages us to practice empathy and think about how our actions affect others. This simple but profound concept has had enormous influence across many faiths and philosophies. Understanding the meaning and application of the Golden Rule is important for Christians seeking to follow Jesus’ teachings.
Origins of the Golden Rule
While the Golden Rule is most famously associated with the words of Jesus, the concept predates him and appears in various forms across different cultures and religions. Versions of the ethic of reciprocity, or the idea of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, can be found in the writings of ancient Greek philosophers, in Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and other faith traditions. However, Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:12 provides the most concise and memorable phrasing of this moral principle.
In the Bible, Leviticus 19:18 states “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” This Old Testament passage encourages love for neighbor, which was later affirmed by Jesus as one of the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:39). The Golden Rule builds upon the command to love others by emphasizing the importance of empathy and compassion.
What Did Jesus Mean by the Golden Rule?
When Jesus introduced the Golden Rule in the Sermon on the Mount, he was instructing his followers on how to live righteous and moral lives. Unlike confusing religious rituals, the Golden Rule cuts straight to the heart of ethics and morality – considering how your actions affect others. Jesus frequently emphasized loving God and loving your neighbor as the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:36-40). The Golden Rule perfectly encapsulates what it means to love your neighbor – considering their well-being and interests with the same concern as your own.
Jesus’ formulation of the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12 concludes by saying “for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Here, Jesus is indicating that the Golden Rule fulfills the essence of Old Testament moral teaching. Rather than legalistically following rules and rituals, Jesus calls his followers to internalize ethical principles like the Golden Rule. By practicing the Golden Rule, Christians live out Jesus’ new commandment to “love one another” (John 13:34).
Interpreting the Meaning of the Golden Rule
On first read, the meaning of the Golden Rule seems straightforward – treat others the way you want to be treated. However, interpreting how to apply this principle can be more complex. Does it mean following the exact letter of the Rule, doing precisely what you want done to you? Or does it require considering others’ preferences and acting accordingly? Jesus does not specify details on how to practice the Golden Rule. Thus, Christians have wrestled with how to apply it, taking different approaches over the centuries.
Some interpret the Golden Rule legalistically, thinking they must do exact deeds for others that they would want for themselves. For example, if you love getting presents on your birthday, you would give presents to others on their birthdays. But consider if your neighbor does not celebrate birthdays. Legalistically following the Golden Rule may miss the neighbor’s preferences.
Others see the Golden Rule more as a guiding principle of empathy and compassion. With this mindset, living the Golden Rule involves creatively considering how to show care and concern by putting yourself in another’s shoes. If your neighbor does not want birthday presents, the compassionate application of the Golden Rule would be to find other meaningful ways to show care and respect for him or her.
Challenges and Criticisms of the Golden Rule
While the Golden Rule is one of the most influential moral concepts, it also faces critiques and challenges:
- People may interpret their own desires selfishly or ignore differences in preferences.
- The Golden Rule does not necessarily lead to justice – you could treat others nicely while also enabling injustice to continue.
- Some argue ethics should be impartial, not rooted in desires for self-interest.
- The Golden Rule can be manipulated or misapplied to justify poor treatment of others who are deemed “undeserving.”
These criticisms reveal potential shortcomings in how the Golden Rule is applied. Thus, Christians considering the Golden Rule must examine their own motives and be thoughtful in how they seek to embody the principle. Simply assuming you know what is best for others contradicts the deeper call to empathy and compassion behind the Rule.
How Should Christians Apply the Golden Rule Today?
When seeking to apply the Golden Rule in contemporary life, Christians should consider several important guidelines:
- Prayerfully examine your motives to ensure you are not justifying selfishness or prejudice.
- Make an effort to understand others’ situations, needs, and preferences.
- Consider creative ways to demonstrate Christ-like love, not just what you want for yourself.
- Be willing to sacrifice self-interest for the sake of others’ well-being.
- Work for justice and mercy alongside practicing individual ethics.
Putting these principles into practice can help Christians move beyond surface-level interpretations of the Golden Rule. This involves an ongoing process of spiritual growth in living out Jesus’ command to love one another (John 13:34).
In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly returned to love as the motivation behind moral actions, from almsgiving to prayer to non-judgement of others (Matthew 5-7). Practicing the Golden Rule should be rooted in love, not legalistic rule-following. When considering how to apply the Golden Rule, Christians must examine their hearts and discern how to best demonstrate Christ-like love, humility, and compassion.
The Golden Rule in Relation to Other Biblical Teachings
While the Golden Rule provides a memorable summary of Jesus’ ethical teachings, Christians must examine it in light of the Bible’s broader moral vision. Isolating one verse from the Sermon on the Mount could distort its meaning. The Golden Rule complements, rather than replaces, other biblical principles for Christian living.
For example, the Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20 provide foundational moral laws that are timeless. Laws against murder, adultery, theft, and slander reflect sins the Golden Rule would also prohibit. However, the Golden Rule adds a motivational element – to act out of love instead of mere duty to law.
In Micah 6:8, God requires that his followers “Do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” Practicing the Golden Rule should inspire Christians to pursue justice and mercy for all people, not just individual acts of kindness. And the Golden Rule’s emphasis on humility aligns with Micah’s call to “walk humbly.”
Jesus’ teaching to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44) takes the Golden Rule even further. While the Golden Rule guides relationships among neighbors, Jesus calls his followers to extend grace and love even to enemies who might do them harm. Applying a shallow understanding of the Golden Rule alone may not lead Christians to love their enemies.
These examples show that while the Golden Rule expresses a core Christian moral principle, believers must consider how it fits within the Bible’s full framework of ethics, morality, justice, and sacrifice.
Examples of Applying the Golden Rule
How might Christians put the Golden Rule into action today? Here are some examples:
- At work, consider how your actions and words affect colleagues. Don’t gossip, undermine, or hurt others the way you would not want done to you.
- In your neighborhood, get to know others different from you. Practice hospitality, kindness, and advocate for those in need.
- When voting and participating in society, prayerfully consider how policies affect minority groups and the disadvantaged, not just your own interests.
- In church, welcome newcomers, include outsiders, and share your belongings freely with those who have need.
- In your family, listen empathetically, seek forgiveness quickly, and affirm each person’s dignity.
These small but meaningful actions – practiced over time and rooted in Christ-like love – fulfill the essence of the Golden Rule. Of course, living out the Golden Rule perfectly is humanly impossible. Thankfully, Jesus does not demand perfection, but rather honest and thoughtful efforts to walk in his footsteps.
The Golden Rule as a Path to Christian Maturity
For Christians seeking to mature in faith and Christlikeness, practicing the Golden Rule provides helpful direction for growth. It pushes believers beyond legalistic obedience to rules and rituals. It leads outward to care for others before oneself. And it roots moral actions in love rather than duty or reward.
However, following the Golden Rule requires humility. Christians recognizing their own inadequacies are less likely to self-righteously judge others. By submitting to God’s wisdom over our own, we can learn to correct blind spots or prejudices that distort our moral reasoning. Through prayer and counsel from other believers, Christians can gain self-understanding needed to apply the Golden Rule well.
Living the Golden Rule is a lifelong journey of growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). By regularly reexamining our hearts and recalibrating our moral compass, Christians gain maturity needed to act with integrity and love. Although the Golden Rule sets a high ethical standard, God’s Spirit equips believers to grow toward ever-greater Christlikeness.
