The Golden Rule
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
This verse is often called the “Golden Rule.” This name began being used in the 16th and 17th century and is recognized as an ethical teaching that is unparalleled in the world. Interestingly, you can find the negative of this in various other religions, but they all pale in comparison to Jesus’ words.• Confucianism: “Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you” (Analects 15:23)
• Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you” (Mahabharata 5:1517)
• Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful” (Udanavarga 5:18)[1]
What is fascinating is that in each of these other religions the teaching is in the negative and passive. To fulfill it you must do absolutely nothing. There is also a sense of self-preservation. Don’t do this to someone else unless you want them to do the same thing to you. It carries a negative connotation assuming that what you were going to do was hurtful or harmful and you don’t want to be on the receiving end of similar treatment.
What Jesus teaches is positively revolutionary. First, it is positive. The only way you can fulfill this verse is to actively do good in the life of another. Merely sitting by and doing nothing is not an option. Done rightly it is an unselfish act of kindness. You do for others what you hope others will do for you. There is no guarantee this will happen. It does not say do unto others SO THAT it will be done to you. This would turn it into something selfish and mercenary. This could be a manipulative ploy to get others to serve you if this were the goal. This is not what Jesus is teaching.
Secondly, it is revolutionary. Elsewhere Jesus says, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” (Luke 6:35). You do not just do good to people you like or are friends with you. You treat others the way you wish to be treated including your enemies! You don’t do good to others to get something in return. You do good to others because it is the right thing to do. You trust what is done in secret is openly seen by our loving Heavenly Father and our reward is from him.
It also takes thoughtfulness to fulfill Jesus’ words here. There are, of course, spontaneous kindnesses that flow from your heart because of your godly character. More than that, this verse calls us to actively think about the good you can do to others. Maybe it is a word of encouragement or a thoughtful gift. Perhaps it is an offer to help clean their house or fix their car. The possibilities are endless. In fact, any need can be met in fulfillment of this verse. In big and small ways, they are grace gifts which is living out truth of the gospel. God did good for us in providing Jesus when we didn’t deserve it and could not have earned it. In a similar way, we do good to others, not because they earned it or deserve it, but because this demonstrates the same grace we have received. Far more than merely saying, “Do no harm.” This verse tells believers to be an active force for good in this world.
