--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the New Testament our enemies are…" description: "\"In the New Testament our enemies are those who harbor hostility against us, not those against whom we cherish hostility, for Jesus refuses to reckon w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bible_in-the-new-testament-our-enemies-are-tho_1076559.jpg" --- # In the New Testament our enemies are those who harbor… ![“In the New Testament our enemies are those who harbor hostility against us, not those against whom we cherish hostility, for Jesus refuses to reckon with such a possibility.” quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bible_in-the-new-testament-our-enemies-are-tho_1076559.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bible_in-the-new-testament-our-enemies-are-tho_1076559.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ae/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_bible_in-the-new-testament-our-enemies-are-tho_1076559.jpg) > “In the New Testament our enemies are those who harbor hostility against us, not those against whom we cherish hostility, for Jesus refuses to reckon with such a possibility.” [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True enemies are those who harbor hostility toward us, not those we despise; Jesus rejects reciprocating hatred. **In simple terms:** Enemies are hostile toward us, not those we hate; Jesus rejects hatred. Key Takeaway Practice forgiveness over retaliation. Themes religion ethics forgiveness enemy spirituality Mood reflective hopeful Type spiritual ethical When to use this quote - personal conflict - interfaith dialogue - social justice - peacebuilding Key Concepts Christian theology nonviolence moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can you love your enemy? - What limits forgiveness? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may be difficult when harm is severe. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Cherish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherish/) [Cherish Hostility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cherish-hostility-2709642/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Harbors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harbors/) [Hostility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hostility/) [Hostility Cherish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hostility-cherish-2709643/) [Hostility Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hostility-jesus-2709640/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Jesus Refuses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus-refuses-2709641/) [New testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-testament/) [Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility/) [Refuse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refuse/) [Testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/testament/) ## Related quotes > [“In the New Testament our enemies are those who harbour hostility against us, not those against whom we cherish hostility, for Jesus refuses to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/in-the-new-testament-our-enemies-are-those-who-harbour-hostility/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Life is too short to harbor any hostilities towards anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peabo-bryson/life-is-too-short-to-harbor-any-hostilities-towards-anybody/) [Peabo Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peabo-bryson/) > [God loves human beings. 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