Biblical Answer

The meaning of 'love your neighbor' can be understood by looking at the context in which Jesus taught this command. Jesus taught that the double-love command, which includes loving God and loving one's neighbor, is the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30-31). This means that loving one's neighbor is not just a secondary command, but rather it flows out of our love for God Himself. If we do not love God, we cannot love our neighbors as ourselves.

The scope of who is considered a neighbor is also important to understand. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to love their neighbor as themselves, but Jesus expanded this command to include even those who are enemies (Matthew 5:38-48). This is evident in the parable of the Good Samaritan, where the Samaritan, a member of a different ethnic group, shows love and kindness to a stranger who has been beaten and left on the side of the road. This parable illustrates that loving one's neighbor is not just about loving those who are close to us, but also about showing love and kindness to those who may be different from us.

In essence, loving one's neighbor as oneself means to love them in the same way that we love ourselves. This means to put their needs before our own, to show them kindness and compassion, and to act in their best interest. As the apostle John writes, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death" (1 John 3:14). This means that loving one's neighbor is not just a moral obligation, but rather it is a reflection of our love for God and our desire to follow His commandments.