Luke 6:38

Context

Luke 6:20–49 is a sermon Jesus delivered on a level place to his disciples and the crowds. It is commonly called the "Sermon on the Plain" and shares much of its content with Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. The teaching on loving one's enemies (vv. 27–36) is followed by the command "Judge not… condemn not… forgive" (v. 37), and verse 38 comes next. The phrase "good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over" depicts grain being measured out: it is pressed firmly into the measure and shaken to fill every gap until it overflows. The words "shall men give into your bosom" picture grain being received into a pouch formed by folding the outer garment.

Interpretation

• As a principle of generosity: This reading takes the verse as a principle that God repays even more generously those who give and forgive generously. On this view, "give" includes not only material things but also forgiveness and mercy.
• As a principle of judgment: This reading centers on the closing words of verse 38, "For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again," and connects them with the judging and condemning of the preceding verse. The verse is thus a warning that the standard by which one measures others will be applied to oneself (Matthew 7:2).
• As a promise concerning material giving: Linking the verse with the earlier command to give to those in need (v. 30), this reading takes it as a promise that God will actually repay those who share with others and give offerings.

Debates and Issues

The verse is frequently used in sermons on giving built on the theme that "you reap what you sow." Critics of prosperity theology point out that the verses immediately preceding it say, "lend, hoping for nothing again" (v. 35), and argue that reading the verse as a calculation—giving in order to receive in return—runs contrary to its context. Others hold that God's blessing of the generous is a teaching of Scripture as a whole (Proverbs 11:24–25; 2 Corinthians 9:6) and that there is no need to deny the promise of reward itself. The difference lies in whether the reward is limited to material things and whether the reward is made the motive for giving.

In the Korean Church

The verse is often read as the offertory sentence during the offering and is frequently cited in announcements for bazaars and relief offerings and in Thanksgiving sermons. The phrase "pressed down, and shaken together, and running over" has also become a set expression in prayers of blessing.

Related Passages

• Luke 6:35–37
• Matthew 7:1–2
• 2 Corinthians 9:6–8
• Proverbs 11:24–25