The word “hate” in the following verse literally means what it says, yet a small part of the Greek for this word better describes what the verse is saying. That part of the definition says, “to love less”. When we revere our parents as honorable, as spoken of in the Ten Commandments, this makes “to love less” feel more appropriate. We should love our parents and all others mentioned. Just don’t put them before Him.
Luke 14:25-27 – Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
To the Biblically uneducated people of the world, if they read this as is, they come away with a negative opinion. This is why Christians should study to show themselves approved and to have an answer in season and out of season.
About JimR, Chaplain
I'm a 75-year-old guy, in October 2025, who worked in Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune for 28 years and now retired as of 31 Dec 16. I've worked in medical records, the Health Benefits Department, Billing, and the IT department and retired as the Personnel Security Manager for the hospital. I'm a musician and Corvette enthusiast. Yes, I have had two. I traded my second Corvette for a Harley Davidson Fat Boy in mid-summer 2019. Then in 2024, I traded to an HD FreeWheeler FLRT. I've already ridden the new one a thousand miles in 6 weeks. I'm also searching for a fresh new outlook on life with new spiritual insight among other things. I was ordained a minister in 20190202. I've become certified with the American Chaplaincy Association through Aidan University in June '21. Presently, I am a volunteer Chaplain with our county Sheriff's Office. I've found that with the unconditional love of my companion, Libby Rowe life is complete through God. She's a beautiful, vibrant, giving woman who gives her all in everything she puts her mind to do. She and I married on 24 July 2015. She was ordained in February 2022. She has a blog too called Under a Carolina Moon. Give it a visit.
Livin' Small 