Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol II:
THEOPHILUS: Chapter XIV.—Of Loving Our Enemies.

Chapter XIV.—Of Loving Our Enemies.

And that we should be kindly disposed, not only towards those of our own stock, as some suppose, Isaiah the prophet said: “Say to those that hate you, and that cast you out, Ye are our brethren, that the name of the Lord may be glorified, and be apparent in their joy.” 665 And the Gospel says: “Love your enemies, and pray for them that despitefully use you. For if ye love them who love you, what reward have ye? This do also the robbers and the publicans.” 666 And those that do good it teaches not to boast, lest they become men-pleasers. For it says: “Let not your left hand know what your right hand doeth.” 667 Moreover, concerning subjection to authorities and powers, and prayer for them, the divine word gives us instructions, in order that “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.” 668 And it teaches us to render all things to all, 669 “honour to whom honour, fear to whom fear, tribute to whom tribute; to owe no man anything, but to love all.”

Footnotes

Isa. lxvi. 5.

Matt. 5:44, 46.

Matt. vi. 3.

1 Tim. ii. 2.

Rom. 13:7, 8.